Targu Frumos
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Last update: 09/02/2018
Targu Frumos city, one of the oldest cities from the north of Moldavia, is located in northeast of the country and in the northwest of Iasi County, 45 km away from the city of Iasi.
Roma population is generally dispersed throughout the city, there are only a couple of areas where they are living as a more compact community: on George Cosbuc Street (the vast majority), on Pieptanari Street and on Nucarie Street.
Their source of income is various: some of them are ambulant merchants, very few are hired with labor contracts and a substantial part of them are the beneficiaries of the Law 416/2001 regarding the minimum guaranteed income.
The rate of school absenteeism is quite high, both for the children in the middle school and for the children following elementary school.
The heating source in Roma houses is represented by improvised stoves, most of which being defective and emitting gases or fumes through the rooms. Another cause of the increased rate of diseases is due to the overcrowded housing (there are homes were 14-15 people are living in).The Roma population health is shaky; they are registered with chronic diseases caused by poor hygiene practices – there are families that have no potable water, hence the increased risks of illnesses.
The main problems the Roma community is facing in Targu Frumos are:
• Lack of utilities (sewerage, gas, water);
• Inadequate housing conditions/Overcrowded housing;
• Poor hygiene;
• Garbage - outbreak of infection;
• The absence of sanitary education;
• Lack of health mediator;
• Lack of identity papers and property documents;
• Lack of incomes;
• No qualifications for the jobs demanded on the labor market;
• Low level of education among the adult population;
• High rates of absenteeism and school dropout.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT process started on November 2016. The Community Action Group (CAG) identified some of the short/medium/long-term needs and measures:
| Priorities | Objective 1 | Objective 2 | Objective 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Organizing literacy courses and Second chance programs | Organizing awareness campaigns on the importance of education | Organizing intercultural courses for teachers |
| Health | Prevention / counseling campaigns related to dependence of prohibited substances | Organizing campaigns to raise awareness on the negative effects of early marriages and pregnancy | Hiring a health mediator |
| Infrastructure | Connection to utilities (water, sewerage) | Asphalting streets in all Roma neighborhoods | |
| Other | Property registration | Qualification courses/ programs to complete education (about 50 % of the population aged over 35 is illiterate) |
Trainings/expertise provided for the local administration:
Applying for European Structural Funds
The redeployment of the project POCU axis 4- Strategic actions to reduce the risk of poverty and social exclusion in the marginalized community of Targu Frumos
Support for the development of Local Development Strategy of Targu Frumos Municipality -Local Development, a mechanism placed under the responsibility of the Community
Legal expertise and expertise on public procurement
Expertise on the Regional Operational Program Axis 10 - Improving the educational structure
Expertise on the Regional Operational Program Axis 3.1.B - Increasing energy efficiency in residential buildings, public buildings and public lighting systems, especially those with high energy consumption
Activities involving the community action group:
Training on community development and civic participation
Training on Start Up Nation funding opportunities
Coaching on accessing micro-grants
Humanitarian Campaign “Santa’s elves - we share smiles!”
"School for All" Campaign
Results:
There have been various campaigns initiated by the CAG with the local administration support - "School for All" Campaign, "Santa’s elves - we share smiles!" Campaign. Within the Educational Campaign "School for All", CAG members together with other relevant actors did the following actions:
- - identified the children to enter the preparatory class;
- - supported the parents in completing the enrolment files at school;
- - "Santa’s elves - we share smiles!" - Donation campaign for Roma families who need support before winter holidays.
The Municipality benefited of ROMACT expertise for the following project:
Human Resources Development, Mediation, Orientation and Social Services’ (FRUMOSS), OPHC 4.1
Budget: 4 666 666 euros
Status: approved