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The town of Bolintin Vale, Giurgiu County is located in the south-eastern part of Romania. The municipality is in charge of the administration of three villages – Crivina, Malu Spart and Suseni (the second largest city of the county). Only 23 km from Bucharest, the capital of the country and 90 km from the county capital, Giurgiu. This close proximity to major cities has helped the local economy.
According to 2011 census, the Roma community represent 18% of the overall population, though local Roma leaders believe the actual percentage of the population is higher than the official 18%. Many Roma moved from neighbouring Bolintin-Deal to Bolintin Vale after ethnic clashes in 1991.
Two ethnic groups are living in Bolintin Vale, the Ursari and the Spoitori, they are concentrated in the north-eastern part of the city, in an area called Palanca. Roma citizens living in this part of the city face challenges relating to identification documents, housing and access to basic services such as education or healthcare. Early marriage is also an important issue in these traditional communities.
ROMACT Process started with the signature of the letter of Agreement on 17 November 2016.
In March 2017, the Taskforce for Roma inclusion was created.
On 22 May 2017, through a Local Council Decision, the Local Action Plan to improve Roma population condition was adopted.
As of June 2022, ROMACT process is reinforced in Bolintin Vale and a new agreement was signed by the Mayor.
In December 2022, the Local Action Plan for Roma inclusion was renewed by the Local Council.
Trainings provided for the local administration | Beneficiaries |
---|---|
Public procurement expert | Civil servants |
Project Manager | Civil servants |
EU funds Accessing expert | Civil servants |
Legal coaching on "School after school" educational program | Civil servants |
Legal coaching on "Second chance" educational program | Civil servants |
Legal coaching for POCU 5.1 and identifying alternative financing source for restoring a historical building into a multicultural center | Civil servants |
Coaching on EU/ government funding | Community Action Group |
Coaching for setting up an NGO | Community Action Group |
Training on community development and civic participation | Community Action Group |
Expertise provided to the local administration | Beneficiaries | Budget | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Human Capacity Operational Program Axis 4.1 Reducing the number of marginalized communities (in which Roma minority population counts at least 10% of the total population) at risk of poverty and social exclusion by implementing integrated measures. | 560 inhabitants from disadvantaged communities | 1.628.431 EUR | Approved |
Cross-Border Cooperation Operational Program - Romania-Bulgaria - cross-border partnership for improving decision-making system | Local authorities and the entire community | 299.325 EUR | Approved |
Regional Operational Program Axis 10 - Improving the educational structure- Rehabilitation, extension, endowment Bolintin Vale n1 Kindergarten | Children and teachers from kindergarten | 972.911 EUR | Approved |
INTERREG V-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme- Development of prevention and warning system regarding flooding in cross-border area Romania-Bulgaria | The local administration and the entire community | 491.105 EUR | Approved |
National Program for Local Development Rehabilitation of the county road to Malu Spart (11 km) | 3228 inhabitants from Malu Spart | 3.023.571 EUR | Approved |
"Educational Center - Bolintin Vale - technical documentation"- EAA and Norwegian Grants 2014-2021 , ""Access to financing" - "Local development, poverty reduction and enhancing Roma inclusion" | Rejected |
The following measures to solve problems in Roma community were taken:
* Second chance program
* School after school
* Paving of 2 streets
* Roma International Day event
* Purchase of school furniture for kindergarten
* Current repairs Secondary School No. 1
* Provision of emergency aid for families in special situations
* Provision of heating aid for Roma people and families
Activities implemented with OPHC 4.1 funding:
* Rehabilitation of a local for education and extra-school activities
* Support for identifying beneficiaries for qualification and retraining courses
* Support for identifying and occupying a job by providing individual and motivational information and counseling services
* Identification of potential beneficiaries and support for business development
* Improving living conditions
* Realization of the functional integrated Community center created in the marginalized area Palanca
* Legal assistance activities for regulatory acts