Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Telerance “Amalipe” – Bulgaria Roma Center for Health Policies SASTIPEN – Romania Justitia et Pax – the Netherlands TO TOUCH THE UNTOUCHABLES: Combating Traditional and New Anti-Roma Stereotypes

The project Time frame: February 1, 2011 – January 31, 2013 Territorial scope: Bulgaria, Romania, the Netherlands Applicants: Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe” – Bulgaria (main applicant), Roma Center for Health Policies SASTIPEN – Romania and Justitia et Pax – the Netherlands Donor: European Commission, DG Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Program Център за междуетнически диалог и толерантност “Амалипе” – Велико Търново Гр. Велико Търново 5000, п.к. 113, тел: 062/ ; ,

Officials and field workers in the public services field (especially in education, health and social care) often share deep prejudices against Roma From the other side, it strengthens anti-Roma attitudes in the entire society From the other side it disturbs the effective delivery of public services in Roma community: the level is significantly lower Център за междуетнически диалог и толерантност “Амалипе” – Велико Търново Гр. Велико Търново 5000, п.к. 113, тел: 062/ ; , Challenges / Problems

Working with the system for changing the system: we work together with the educational, healthcare and social services systems (political leadership, officials, field workers) for changing the anti-Roma stereotypes within these systems. Anti-Roma attitudes are not essential elements in these systems Fostering community development and empowerment of Roma Interculturalism: Roma and non-Roma will work together for overcoming the prejudices Център за междуетнически диалог и толерантност “Амалипе” – Велико Търново Гр. Велико Търново 5000, п.к. 113, тел: 062/ ; , Approach

Goals The project overall goal is fighting traditional and new anti-Roma stereotypes among educational, social and health field workers in Bulgaria, Romania and the Netherlands, and fostering mutual understanding and an intercultural dialogue between Roma communities and field workers following principle no.3 from the EU Council Conclusions from June 8, The project sets three objectives establishing model for effective usage of public services (in the field of education, healthcare and social services) by Roma through fighting anti- Roma stereotypes among public officials and field workers establishing cooperation with Roma community in the three target countries: Bulgaria, Romania, and the Netherlands engaging the Roma community, public officials and field workers with cross-community activities for equal access to public services