Social Support Center for Roma Communities Context The situation of the ethnic minorities, such as Roma communities, is particularly important in the context of Romania’s EU accession. Romania has achieved considerable progress towards the treatment of ethnic minorities, and the Government Strategy for Improving the Situation of the Roma Minority has been adopted. Romania is one of the 8 countries that adopted the Decade of Roma Inclusion, aiming to improve the lives of Roma in Europe. The surveys conducted so far show that poverty rate is much higher among Roma communities for many reasons: the low income level, low professional qualification, increased rate of non-participation on the labor market, low level of education, high percentage of large families. Quite frequently, the income sources are made up only of the allowances for children and of the social compensation. The project in Alexandria is being carried out by UNDP and completes the existing local initiatives by implementing a comprehensive approach of Roma issues. Social Support Center for Roma Communities Developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this project supports the implementation of the Government Strategy for Improving the Situation of the Roma. The project intends to stimulate and involve the Roma in identifying and solving the problems they are facing so that they can become an active part of their own social integration process. The Social Support Center in Alexandria is the fourth of the five centers planned to be established in Romania based on the model created through the pilot-phase that has been successfully implemented in Marasesti, Vrancea County. The other Centers are located in Dorohoi, Galati and Tirgu Mures.

Social Support Center for Roma Communities What are the services offered? The Social Support Center for Roma Communities created in the city of Alexandria offers: Social services: -Information and counseling on social rights; -Information concerning the labor market, support in finding employment, support for professional reorientation; -Support for recovery of education studies; -Support in getting identity papers Medical services: -Health education; -Health care counseling, including family planning services; -Enabling the access to public medical services, including support for the registration on the family physicians lists Training services: -Computer literacy courses; -Training of sanitary mediators Entrepreneurial counseling: -Training in entrepreneurial skills; -Business assistance and consulting services for small businesses; -Support for the initiation of business, including the setting-up and administration of an NGO. To whom does it address? The project’s beneficiaries are members of the Roma community from Alexandria; the selection criteria are specific for each service provided by the project. The total number of the beneficiaries is estimated at 200. The project it address to the other actors who can contribute to the improvement of Roma situation. It will establish solid partnerships between local authorities, public institutions and the local community.

Social Support Center for Roma Communities Who offers the services? The team of the Social Support Center consists of 2 social workers, 1 medical counselor, 1 IT trainer, 1 entrepreneurial counselor and 1 local coordinator. Who are the partners? The project is developed by the United Nations Development Programme with the financial support of the Swedish Government – Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The implementing partners of the project are: - The Government of Romania – National Agency for Roma -The Local Council of Alexandria Expected results: -Improving the access of the beneficiaries to medical, social and educational services; -Registration on the family physicians lists of at least 50 beneficiaries; -Increasing the level of participation on the labor market; -Training of 30 youths in computer literacy; -Training of 6 sanitary mediators; -20 people will acquire the know-how to set up a business; -Increasing the organizational capacity of the Roma NGOs existing in Alexandria. Contact: Social Support Center Alexandria, 1907 Street, Teleorman County Tel/Fax.: