Gherla
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Gherla municipality is located in north western Transylvania Plateau, on the right bank of Somes Mic River, in the contact area of Transylvania Plain and Somes Plateau, at 45 km from Cluj-Napoca (capital of Cluj County). According to the census conducted in 2011, Gherla city population amount is 20.982 inhabitants, 735 being Roma (3,5%).
Roma living in the neighboring villages of Gherla (Hasdate and Silivas) belong to Roma families that are traditional native speakers of Romani. Pescarilor community problems are related to the very low level of education among adults (mostly uneducated, especially among younger people), the improper housing situation, lack of access to sewerage and or toilets, insufficient source of drinking water; one fountain is located in the middle of the community for over 250 people. Hasdate and Silvas community belong to a group of traditional Roma and are native Romani language speakers. Most families are receiving the guaranteed minimum income provided by the municipality, under the legislation. The education level is very low, especially among adults and the elderly. The main problems of this Roma communities are: the low level of income, the inadequate and crowded dwelling spaces.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT process started on July 2016. The Local Action Plan for Roma was approved by the Local Council on December 2016 and was included in the Local Development Strategy of the municipality.
The Community Action Group (CAG) identified its short/medium/long-term needs:
| Short and mid-term priorities | Objective 1 | Objective 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Setting up a school mediator position | Current school/kindergarten repairing and hot meals to disadvantaged pupils |
| Culture | Organizing/financing cultural events with Roma specific/inspiration | Organizing events to promote Roma traditions, customs, songs |
| Health | Setting up a health mediator position | Repairing family medicine cabinets (4 medical practices) that serve communities / areas inhabited by disadvantaged people |
| Other | Hiring a local Roma expert in the city hall | Setting up a local policeman position to serve specifically the Roma community |
| Long-term priorities | Objective 1 | Objective 1 Objective 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Streets rehabilitation | Waste management system within Roma neighborhoods |
| Housing | Rehabilitate existent social housing | Build new social flats (300 apartments) |
| Employment | Developing competences for young people ( especially for Roma women) in the process of qualification, employment, skills development | Achieving a comprehensive mentoring and support program to help Roma entrepreneurs create jobs and develop human capital in the locality |
| Education | Organizing contests, extracurricular activities, school camps to facilitate children and students from Roma community | Setting up school after school programs |
| Other | Financing the ensemble of popular Roma songs and dances - "Ardeleni Fiddlers" Music School | Financing the running costs and purchasing the appropriate equipment for the home care center |
The Municipality benefited of ROMACT expertise for the following projects:
* NOW for Gherla - Social Inclusion for Sustainable Development, OPHC 5.1
Budget: 35.000 euros
Status: approved
Local development Strategy, OPHC 5.1
Budget: 7 000 000 euros
Status: approved
Activities involving the community action group:
Training on community development and civic participation
Information regarding government funding
So far, the following measures to solve problems in Roma community were taken:
| Problem | Solution | Budget | Beneficiaries | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor learning conditions | Modernizing school classes | 5.000 EUR | 70 Roma children | Process finished |
| Lack of representation at city hall level | Employment of a local Roma expert | The entire Roma community | Process ongoing | |
| Lack of caretakers for disabled people | Employment of 10 nurses/caretakers at the Home Care Centre | 10 direct beneficiaries | Process ongoing |