Open discussion about the challenge of the Roma community in Macedonia
Representatives of more than 20 Roma associations from Macedonia met on the 01.11.2012 (Thursday), in the offices of the EU delegation in Skopje, on the initiative of the association National Roma Centrum (NRC) in order to discuss about the challenges that the Macedonian Roma community faces
; opportunities about cooperation of associations as potential for strengthening of the civil sector in order to improve the condition of Roma as well as for opportunities for using of EU funds intended for civil organizations.
The following conclusions were brought on the meeting:
– determined necessity from further continued non formal meeting between Roma associations;
– more intensive and more visible approach with government institutions in Republic of Macedonia responsible for implementation of the IPA funds for initiating of projects from Roma associations for joint implementation according to current needs of Roma from Macedonia.
– determining of possibilities for expert development of capacities of association in the process of preparing of project applications, with assistance from relevant expert bodies (EU delegation in Skopje, Roma organizations and government bodies of Republic of Macedonia);
– determined need for urgent review of the possibility for sustainability of existing association in a financially unfavorable position and have developed professional capacities;
– to initiate review of the current report of the European Commission about the progress of Republic of Macedonia by Roma political representatives and associations, to review the current situation of Roma reflected by common recommendations of EU countries and reports in relation to Roma and the national strategy;
– accordance was given for the following meeting to be held in December this year.
20 active organizations on the territory of Macedonia participated at the meeting from Skopje, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Kocani, Stip, Delcevo and Veles. Representatives from organizations from Prilep, Bitola, Kriva Palanka, Debar and Kicevo supported the initiative.
The participants from the meeting thanked the European delegation in Skopje for the enabled conditions for holding of the meeting.