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2 Achievements and Lessons Learned from the Improving Ethnic Relations Programme ROMANIA

3 Addressed Issues Lack of civic initiatives Absence of initiative groups capable of mobilising multiethnic communities Lack of responsibility and cooperation in the communities Need to preserve minorities’ linguistic and cultural identities Widespread discrimination and marginalisation, especially of the Roma Ethnocentrism in approaching community issues Under-representation of minorities in local authorities

4 Uniqueness of the Programme Combination of the long term intervention (community development through facilitation and mentorship) and the short term intervention (grant allocation) Community development proved to be an effective means of identifying priorities and mobilising resources within the assisted communities The dialogue based approach of the community development instruments proved to be more effective, in fostering interethnic cooperation indirectly, than traditional ways of intervention in multiethnic communities Continuous consideration of the environment, followed by the possibility of adjusting to needs Long term commitment (or at least the desire of) in relations with the supported communities / organisations / initiatives

5 Quantitative Achievements (1) Since 2001, 16 rural communities have been involved in the programme’s facilitation module and 46 projects have been supported Table 1: The distribution of the supported projects per years Table 2: Number of projects developed in urban and rural area Total 9 projects20 projects17 projects46 projects

6 Table 3: Types of applicants Table 4: Amounts of grants awarded Grants Total Less than 3,000 EUR ,000 EUR to 6,000 EUR65819 More than 6,000 EUR12-3 Total Quantitative Achievements (2) Type of applicant Total NGOsOrganisations State institutionsCity Halls35412 Schools-4-4 Others--22

7 The programme reached 15 counties out of a total of 42 in Romania About 300 concept papers have been submitted for financing – 112 in 2001 and 170 in 2002 –, and 46 projects have been supported (in the fields of education, community development, art and culture, civil society development and social issues) The total budget of the awarded grants is 150,000 EUR The 16 facilitated communities received a total of hours of facilitation services (110 hours/community), 9 communities in the first cycle and 7 in the second one 40,000 persons have, directly or indirectly, benefited from the implementation of the programme Leaders from the facilitated communities (long term module) attended 4 training sessions Quantitative Achievements (3)

8 Quantitative Achievements (4) Representatives of the grantees (short term module) attended 3 training sessions Out of the 16 facilitated communities, 11 local initiative groups were registered as nongovernmental organisations Networking – facilitated communities' representatives paid 40 networking visits to each other Multiethnic festival – 3 editions were organised in Svinita (Mehedinti county) at the communities' leaders initiative 810 messages have been exchanged through the he group created for the implementers The 16 facilitated communities are: Gheorghe Doja, Tarata (Bacau county); Bigar, Scaius, Zorile (Caras-Severin county); Abus, Ogra, Porumbeni, Sangeru de Padure (Mures county); Giera, Peciu Nou, Stanciova (Timis county); Ciucurova, Murighiol, C. A. Rosetti, Stejaru (Tulcea county)

9 Q ualitative Achievements Improved ethnic relations at community level Community initiatives and members’ involvement have been fostered Capacities developed at the level of initiative groups Know-how transferred to community leaders Raised civic awareness and increased trust among the beneficiaries Different working models of community facilitation have been experienced A network of the facilitated communities has been created Extended impact, both at local and national level

10 Lessons Learned Need to approach small communities where it is easy to interact with people and to attract them in community actions A flexible and diverse approach of rural communities is needed Community facilitators should be well trained to help local groups to develop community organisations It is important to offer further support to the communities we worked in, so as to increase the sustainability of the process initiated in rural communities In designing action plans aiming at enhancing minority civil dialogue, best practices play an important role

11 T he Effects of the Programme Direct communication with all of the beneficiaries and a new approach to dealing with communities, based on better knowledge of the characteristics of each ethnic group which has been the beneficiary of the programme, their problems and needs More durable partnerships among the implementers, as well as the implementing team and the beneficiary organisations New projects built on the outcomes of the programme, and reflecting/addressing the needs identified Influence on other significant programmes implemented in Romania The instruments developed within the programme are currently being used by other Romanian organisations active in community development Experience gained by EDRC, including enhanced capacities in managing grants

12 Conclusions The key outcomes of the process were: knowledge of ‘the others’, the identification of ethnic community leaders, the identification of the specific problems of each ethnic group, and building awareness of common problems in the community. The invaluable experience we have accumulated legitimises EDRC to develop further projects aimed at building local capacities, accommodating different cultural backgrounds and supporting community initiatives. The co-ordination of complementary approaches, such as promoting the social and economic development of the community, or preserving and cherishing local cultural traditions, is needed in order to build sustainable communities and improve ethnic relations.

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