Nasaud
*Disclaimer: The information and views set out in this page do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Council of Europe and/or the European Commission. Neither the Council of Europe, the European Commission nor any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Last update: 12/01/2017
Nasaud is a town in Bistriţa-Năsăud County, Transylvania, Romania, between Beclean pe Somes and Bistrita municipalities and composed by Liviu Rebreanu, Lusca and Nasaud (the residence) localities. The Roma community came in Nasaud about 35 years ago; they are speaking Romani language. They are two distinctive Roma communities: Valea Spinului and Podirei. The largest Roma community is in Valea Spinului, with about 700 inhabitants. One of the biggest problems they face is the lack of jobs and lack of qualification. Another problem is the high rate of school absenteeism, drop-out, poor school enrolment and the lack of after school programs. Other issue is related to infrastructure: the roads are in a bad shape, with no sewage.
Podirei community is placed on the outskirts of the city. About 50 Roma families live in improvised homes, with no access to electricity or water. Almost all members of the community are unemployed due to lack of education / qualification. They openly recognized that they are traveling abroad and practice begging in order to put some food on the table. Because of this practice, being satisfied with the earned income, they stopped looking for jobs or show little interest. Due to the seasonal migration abroad, they take the children with them, not sending them to school (out of 30 children, only 7 are attending school). They also lack property documents.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT process started on July 2016. The Joint Action Plan (JAP) was approved on November 29, 2016 and was included in the Local Development Strategy. The Community Action Group (CAG) identified some of the short/medium/long-term needs and measures:
| Priorities | Objective 1 | Objective 2 | Objective 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Preventing drop-out in kindergarten and school (very high rate) | One school mediator positions to be established | Develop Second chance and School after school programs. |
| Health | Financing the setting-up of a multi-functional center for the elderly/people in need | One health mediator position to be established | Vaccination and early marriages prevention campaigns |
| Infrastructure | Bring drinking water and sewerage in the community | Rehabilitation of the roads in the community | School rehabilitation |
| Culture | The restoration of the Roma songs and dances popular ensemble | Financing events with Roma specific | Publication of brochures with information on Roma history and culture |
| Other | Hire 2 local police for the areas inhabited by Roma people | Social houses for 40 Roma families | Providing identity and property documents |
Several trainings were also provided:
Trainings provided for the local administration:
Applying for European Structural Funds
Elaboration of the JAP
Activities involving the community action group:
Training on community development and civic participation
Training on human rights
Training regarding traditions and Roma culture
Training on how to set up an NGO
Info related to access to labor market
So far, the following measures to solve problems in Roma community were taken:
| Problem | Solution | Budget | Beneficiaries | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggressive street dogs | Stray dogs collection | 250 eur | The entire community | Process finished |
| Lack of mediators | Employment of a school and health mediator | 11.000 euro/year | The entire community | Process ongoing |
| Garbage in the community | Cleaning of the River Drainage Ditches | 2.300 eur | The entire community | Process finished |
| Lack of infrastructure | Road Paving in Roma communities | 23.000 eur | The entire community | Process ongoing |
| Poor street infrastructure | Street asphalting in Valea Spinului area | 45.000 eur | The entire community | Process ongoing |