1. The TRAILER programme Traveller and Roma Action for the Implementation of Legal and Equality Rights

2. Trailer programme A project to develop good practice models to combat discrimination against Roma, Gypsies and Travellers in five European countries – Romania, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland and England (UK). Supported by the European Community Action Programme to Combat Discrimination (2001 – 6)

3. Why combat discrimination and promote equality? Discrimination, institutional, indirect or direct, excludes certain groups from equal access to full participation in the benefits of mainstream society.

4. Discrimination against particular groups on grounds of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability and sexual orientation Does not comply with international, including EU, human rights standards; and with national legislation where applicable. Excludes sections of the community from equal access to services and opportunities for self and social improvement. It is a strong contributing factor in poverty and social conflict, and prevents social cohesion. Creates a divided community - one unlikely to prosper economically or socially: a great deal of talent and resources are wasted

5. European standards on anti-discrimination policy in EU member states and applicant countries. underpin equality of opportunity are necessary to enable minority community development European anti-discrimination/equality legislation, such as the Race Equality Directive, is key to addressing issues of social exclusion and poverty, which drive conflict, displacement and migration Anti-discrimination legislation is the means by which we can change behaviour, by building institutional protection of rights and remedies A key principle in combating discrimination is minority empowerment – marginalized communities must lead the drive to combat discrimination and towards social equality

6. The TRAILER programme worked to Explore how effective national anti-discrimination legislation in each country was operating at local level Develop models of how best to inform target communities of their duties, rights and remedies how to meet European standards Make policy recommendations on how to improve implementation, based upon identified needs.

7. Partners in Trailer Romani Criss – Romania Romany Baht Foundation (RBF) – Bulgaria Poradna – Slovakia Pavee Point – Ireland Devon Racial Equality Council DREC - UK European Dialogue - UK

8. Key conditions for good partnership work A sustainable, equal and strong working relationship between partners, involving trust, confidence and dialogue Partners from the minority community must work close to their community, and be able to act as a conduit for dialogue and representation Ideally partners should also have lines of communication with both local and national government to assist in policy development Partners (particularly small grass roots NGOs) must have an adequate level of administrative and financial capacity

9. TRAILER – objectives The objectives of TRAILER show the wide range of models of good practice which can be developed, all involving active minority community engagement, and which we believe are necessary for effective implementation of anti-discrimination legislation.

10. TRAILER – objectives 1.Raise Awareness 2.Build capacity 3.Increase knowledge among legal practitioners 4.Increase awareness among service providers and local government 5.Increase awareness among legal practitioners, service providers and local government 6.Test national anti-discrimination legislation 7.Document incidents of discrimination 8.Exchange knowledge and experience

11. Key inter-connected areas for action Build the capacity of Roma, Gypsy and Traveller activists and NGOs Increase knowledge among legal practitioners Increase awareness among service providers and local government Increase awareness among legal practitioners, service providers and local government about Roma and Traveller identity and culture

12. Devon Racial Equality Council and the local Romany Gypsy community Researched, wrote, published and disseminated a booklet ‘Every Traveller Child Matters’ which challenged discrimination in education’ - for inclusion of Travellers into mainstream government education and social policy. The group of Gypsy women felt empowered and more confident to work alongside majority institutions.

13. Pavee Point Focused on Traveller community development. Addressed discrimination in employment for Irish Travellers. Training of Traveller community and service providers Raised awareness and built confidence in the Traveller community to challenge discrimination in access to, and within, the workplace Explored, with national and local consultation and conferences, how the Employment Equality Act could be used to address Traveller-related issues.

14. Romani Criss extensive training for Roma communities, the legal profession and service providers. They produced and widely disseminated a booklet ‘ You have the right not to be discriminated against’ and used it as a basis for nation-wide training. Monitored incidents of discrimination through their network of human rights monitors, established a database Advised local and national institutions, including the National Council to Combat Discrimination, on how to improve the implementation of anti-discrimination law and practice. Took ‘test’ cases on Roma discrimination

15. Romany Baht Foundation trained Roma communities, legal personnel and service providers in the application of anti-discrimination legislation. ‘Role playing’ as a method of improving understanding of anti- discrimination As a public interest NGO, RBF took legal action against discrimination e.g. against McDonald’s for refusing to deliver to a Roma neighbourhood RBF also engaged the national Commission for Protection Against Discrimination in training sessions Published a comprehensive manual on their trainings for dissemination and replicability

16. Poradna an extensive programme of training Roma communities in their rights and remedies specific training for legal personnel, with legal trainers from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the UK, and the European Court of Human Rights. engaged the National Council for Human Rights in many of their actions, enabling influence on national policy. Published a full training hand book – which can be downloaded from their website. Applied methodology of ‘testing’ to identify discrimination Took legal cases to challenge discrimination e.g. the sterilisation of Roma women without full consent (challenging ‘double discrimination’)

17. Exchanging Experience The Partners exchanged experience through regular meetings of the international steering group National-based information and new and innovative ideas for change. Difficulties with language and standards of legislation Extending this process to a Europe-wide level, it indicates the great challenges ahead for successful social cohesion and harmonisation in Europe and its neighbours.

18. Working outside Central and Eastern Europe to address discrimination and access to criminal justice The skills and lessons learnt within this programme are transferable, with some adaptation, to the integration of minorities in general.

19. Methodology that was successfully applied in all our projects Minority empowerment and capacity building Promotion of equal partnerships between minority communities and local government and other service providers (including police) Developing an integrated and multi-agency approach to social policy to promote equality Disseminating the experience to promote wider learning

20. Other European Dialogue projects – a brief summary Roma Rights and Access to Justice in Europe RrAJE programme 2001 –4 ‘Ethnic Minorities and Access to Justice in the Russian Federation’ (2004-6) ‘Turkey and EU Accession’ 2005/6 ‘Positive routes: The Federation of Gypsies and Travellers’ 2006-8

21. Other European Dialogue projects – a brief summary ED is currently working on a research project for the British Government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families, to map numbers, needs and access to public services of Roma migrants to England. SARR BiH – lesson learnt: competent Partners, with good political, administrative and financial capacity, well established and locally based, and in whom you have trust and confidence, does not guarantee success.

22. European Dialogue Since 1994, as part of its Roma Rights programme, ED has assisted Roma communities across Europe to combat racism and discrimination, and to gain equality and full rights as citizens. ED has worked successfully with major international institutions e.g. The Council of Europe, OSCE ODIHR, with the British government, and major funders. ED has a team of consultants to advise and train on good practice in implementation of anti- discrimination legislation, including access to justice within the criminal justice system.

23. Contact ED for further information European Dialogue 18 Victoria Park Square London E2 9PF UK Tel: + 44 (0) 208 983 7771 www.europeandialogue.org For information please contact Madeleine Tearse: Madeleine@europeandialogue.org or Lucie Fremlova: Lucie@europeandialogue.orgMadeleine@europeandialogue.orgLucie@europeandialogue.org