Labour insertion of the Spanish Roma Community The Role of European Social Fund in promoting Social Inclusion Strategies ACCEDER PROGRAM: Labour insertion of the Spanish Roma Community

FUNDACIÓN SECRETARIADO GITANO – SPAIN- MISSION THE INTEGRAL PROMOTION OF THE ROMA COMMUNITY RESPECTING THEIR CULTURAL IDENTITY LINES OF ACTION DIRECT INTERVENTION: SERVICES AIMED AT THE ROMA COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONAL COUNSELLING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND AWARENESS RAISING

THE NEED FOR INTERVENTION: THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF ROMA COMMUNITY SUFFER FROM A CLEAR DISADVANTAGE IN THE LABOUR MARKET: INITIAL DISQUALIFICATION: Early drop outs Poor presence in regular training schemes Poor access to new technologies HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT HIGH PRECARITY JOBS PERSISTENCE OF NON REGULATED AND NON PROTECTED JOBS SUBJECTIVE PERCEPTION OF DISCRIMINATION IN TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT

ACCEDER PROGRAMME description

OPERATIONAL PROGRAM AGAINST DISCRIMINATION – ACCEDER PROGRAM STRUCTURAL FUNDS (ESF + ERDF) SF for social inclusion Romas as target group 2000-2006 (impact) NGOS NATIONALWIDE

OBJETIVES To facilitate the Roma population's access to mainstream training and employment in equal terms To provide Roma with professional qualifications and access to the labour market To raise awareness regarding prejudice and discriminatory practices affecting Roma To foster more active policies regarding the Roma community

METHODOLOGY INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH COMBINATION OF TARGET ACTIONS WHILE MAINSTREAMING BALANCE BETWEEN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE INTERCULTURAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS AWARENESS RAISING AMONG ROMA COMMUNITY GUIANCE AND COUNCELLING TRAINING ENTERPRISES INTERMEDIATION INTENSE FOLLOW UP AND ACCOMPANIMENT

Work centres: 46 Number of partners (local, regional, national) Public administrations: 100 Companies: over 3.000 Other stake holders: NGOS, mass media, etc.

MAIN RESULTS

RESULTS More than 34.000 beneficiaries More than 24.000 labour contracts (1/3 first labour experiences) 70% Romas access 5000 Roma people access to training Equal gender balance (specific actions developped) High participation (voluntarily) and change of mentality in Roma beneficiaries, administrations, employers and society as a whole Increased access to mainstream services Collaboration of administrations and enterprises Synergies at territorial and institutional level Great impact of complementarity actions and data production for analysing current situation

Difficulties Initial process: Cofinance: Resistance from Administration in including Roma community as target group in OP Difficulties in finding qualified romas and other personas with experience in working with romas Cofinance: No commitment from administrations for long term cofinance Only for social policy departements? Payments on time. No cash disponibility. Not too much private cofinance Prejudice and Discrimination from employers Reluctance from other Roma NGOS in FSG mananing funds

KEYS OF SUCCESS

TARGETING + MAINSTREAMING+ PARTNERSHIP 6 year program. Long term planning. Process. References Targeted but not segregated services. Flexibility in the use of funds. Integrated approach Involvement and empowerment of the Roma (voluntary based): autonomy Equal balance between social and economic perspective Professional and Multicultural working teams. NGO managing funds (added value) Strong partnership: network Close relationship with cofinancers Dissemination of program results. Transparency. Follow up Committes Relevance of complementary actions Nation wide program with local dimension Employment as key for social inclusion

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