A small charity based in London, working to promote equality and challenge prejudice, discrimination and hate crime, is looking to join a project to apply for the next round of the call for proposals to  promote non-discrimination and Roma integration within the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme.

The London charity would like to join a project with the following Project idea:

Knowing Your Rights, Having a Voice.  Developing the self-organisation of Roma, mainly from Romania, living in Redbridge.  Building on links that have already been developed with this new and growing community.  This relationship has currently been about addressing hostility towards this community and also in giving advice and advocacy over issues of benefits, tax credits and discrimination.  The charity is aware that whilst other more established communities are involved in the democratic process – engaged in various community forums, are represented amongst local councillors, school governors and so forth – the Roma a fairly voiceless. 

So it is proposed to get people together to form an organisation.  The London charity would provide training in setting up organisations – constitution, finances etc , training about British democratic structures and processes, about benefits, employment rights, housing, so that this organisation itself can provide advice within the community in the longer term.

The small charity does not have the capacity to be the lead organisation, so it is looking to be a part of a bid which could include this activity in a bigger transnational project and join as a junior partner.

If you are interested in becoming the lead partner or should you require any information please contact Iwona Wardach at: Iwona.w@accesseurope.org.org.uk or  02077491936,  as soon as possible.