18 October 200618 October 2006

UNDP’s Engagement with UNDP’s Engagement with Minorities in Development Minorities in Development

Processes Processes

Romania Case Study on Roma Romania Case Study on Roma

Soknan Han Jung, UNDP RR/UN RC in RomaniaFlorin Botonogu, Social Coordinator, UNDP Romania

HD of minorities is central to MDG & Poverty Reduction

In EuropeIn Europe Roma is the largest ethnic minority (9-11 m);Roma is the largest ethnic minority (9-11 m);

In RomaniaIn Romania Register the biggest Roma population (2 m). Register the biggest Roma population (2 m).

Roma’s poverty rate 4-10 times > non-RomaRoma’s poverty rate 4-10 times > non-Roma (69% living on < US$4.30/day);(69% living on < US$4.30/day);

ROM COROM CO Plays a key role in translating Nat’l Roma policies into practice; Plays a key role in translating Nat’l Roma policies into practice;

Designs, provides funding, and implements Roma social inclusion projects;Designs, provides funding, and implements Roma social inclusion projects;

Improves Roma access to info, justice, education, sanitation, empl. and housing.Improves Roma access to info, justice, education, sanitation, empl. and housing.

Roma policies – int’l level

Action Plan on Improving the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti in Situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE Area;the OSCE Area;

MDGs and JIM indicators – MDGs and JIM indicators – complementary tools to complementary tools to monitor national policies on monitor national policies on Roma;Roma;

Decade of Roma Inclusion. Decade of Roma Inclusion.

Roma policies – national level

National Strategy to Improve the National Strategy to Improve the Status of Roma in Romania (2001);Status of Roma in Romania (2001);

Romanian Constitution provision on Romanian Constitution provision on minority rights: minority rights:

Art. 6Art. 6 "The State recognizes and "The State recognizes and guarantees the right of persons guarantees the right of persons belonging to national minorities to belonging to national minorities to preserve, develop and express their preserve, develop and express their ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity."identity."

UN/UNDP programming framework

CCA/UNDAFCCA/UNDAF

CCA: Roma identified as beneficiaries of UN efforts to strengthen institutional capacity to help the vulnerable groups in Romania;

UNDAF (2005-2009): rights-based approach - Roma main target group for UN programmes - Priority Area 2 Economic Growth,

UNDAF Outcome: “By 2009, national economic growth is enhanced and poverty levels among vulnerable groups are reduced through sustained social inclusion and capacity promotion.”

UNDP approach

Addressing the very basic needs of Roma communities;Addressing the very basic needs of Roma communities;

Excellent communication and working relations with central/local governments, Roma CSOs;Excellent communication and working relations with central/local governments, Roma CSOs;

Strengthening Roma civil society by creating new NGOs at local level;Strengthening Roma civil society by creating new NGOs at local level; Permanent communication with Roma NGOs; Permanent communication with Roma NGOs;

Integrated approach - addressing both Roma and non-Roma;Integrated approach - addressing both Roma and non-Roma;

Direct involvement of Roma in all project stages;Direct involvement of Roma in all project stages;

Special legal advice provided for Roma to improve their access to labor market.Special legal advice provided for Roma to improve their access to labor market.

ChallengesChallenges

Weak implementation capacities of Weak implementation capacities of local authorities especially in the local authorities especially in the countryside;countryside;

Lack of committed Roma NGOs at local Lack of committed Roma NGOs at local level;level;

Multitude of Roma policies impede Multitude of Roma policies impede effective coordination among effective coordination among interested parties, leading to interested parties, leading to duplication of initiatives. duplication of initiatives.

Best practicesBest practices

\s

Impressive Roma participation in project implementation;

UNDP’s expertise at regional/national levels (measuring results, collecting /analyzing data, creating tools to evaluate projects);

Gender issues effectively mainstreamed in all interventions, (eg: Social Support Centers for Roma project);

ROM CO Publications:- Impact Study on Roma Programmes in Romania;- Social Assessment of HIV/AIDS and Roma in Central and Eastern Europe.

Lessons learned and Lessons learned and RecommendationsRecommendations

Better donor coordination;

Stronger media involvement;

More systematic local needs assessments;

Research funding to be provided in each area of the National Strategy;

Disaggregation and localization of MDG indicators needed;

Action plan for improving Roma labour market access.

UNDP Romania projects for Roma UNDP Romania projects for Roma

Implementation of the National Implementation of the National Strategy for Improving the Roma Strategy for Improving the Roma Situation 2004/2005 (GoR);Situation 2004/2005 (GoR);

Social Support Center for Roma Social Support Center for Roma Communities (SIDA);Communities (SIDA);

Assisting Communities Assisting Communities Together (OSI).Together (OSI).

ConclusionsConclusions

UNDP is viewed as an impartial UNDP is viewed as an impartial and transparent agent of and transparent agent of change.change.

In two years UNDP emerged as In two years UNDP emerged as influential player on Roma influential player on Roma issues in Romania.issues in Romania.