Knezha
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Knezha Municipality is located in Pleven Province in Northern Bulgaria. The municipality has 4 settlements, the town of Knezha and the villages Enitsa, Brenitsa and Lazarovo.
Roma are located in four places in Knezha municipality: in Knezha (town), and in the villages of Brenitsa and Enitsa.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT started in March 2020 with the signature of the Letter of agreement.
The Taskforce for Roma inclusion was created following Mayor's approval in October 2020.
In March 2021, the Municipality Inclusion Development Plan was adopted and included most of the community proposals.
In April 2021, the municipality requested the end of ROMACT implementation in Knezha.
Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :
Community Action Groups (CAG):
* Introducing planning and implementation of a community survey;
* Participation of CAG members in the municipal budget process.
Taskforce :
* National programs 2021 - 2027 funded by the EU structural and cohesion funds in support of municipal policies for social inclusion.
ROMACT Small Grants Scheme :
ROMACT offers small grants scheme to support the efforts of the municipalities and Community Action Groups to respond together to the needs of the most vulnerable and to multiply the good practices across ROMACT municipalities.
Under the scheme of small grants, the following projects were supported by ROMACT during May 2020 – February 2021:
Initiative to counter COVID19 pandemic – Municipality of Knezha
ROMACT supported the municipality with 2539 € reaching 90 families in Roma community. The project covered information campaign on COVID19 and provided masks, disinfectant products, informative flyers to raise awareness in the community. Essential food supplies were also provided for families with dire financial situation.
Construction of a recreation area – Municipality of Knezha
ROMACT supported the municipality with 5007 € for the construction of a playground and recreation area. The playground is constructed in accordance with safety requirements and cleaning of the terrain was completed by volunteers and the representatives of the Community Action Group. The area was covered with shock-absorbing flooring, the play equipment was installed, and the existing old benches area were repaired for the use of families. The playground provided a pleasant and safe public place for the Roma children of Vaptsarov quarter where around 2000 people reside.