Sarmasu

General Information
 
ROMACT Cycle: 
Closed
Mayor of the Municipality: 
Valer Botezan
Facilitators: 
Maria Lepadat
Total population: 
6 942
Source: 
National census 2011
Roma living in the Municipality: 
680
Description of the Municipality: 

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Sărmașu is a town in Mureș County, central Transylvania, Romania. It administers seven villages: Balda, Larga, Moruț, Sărmășel, Sărmășel-Gară,Titiana and Vișinelu. 
The unofficial number of Roma inhabitants is about 2000 persons, living in two different areas.

The ROMACT Process

ROMACT started in November 2018 with the signature of the Letter of Agreement. 
The joint Local Action Plan for Roma inclusion was adopted in September 2019. 

The Municipality benefited of ROMACT expertise for the following projects :
The expertise provided by ROMACT for municipalities involves training and guidance on preparing project proposals and implementing inclusive policies aimed at improving the living conditions and social integration of vulnerable populations, including the Roma.

* Campaign, hygiene and medical supplies against COVID19 - Funded by the Central European Initiative (CEI), COVID-19 Extraordinary Call for Proposals- Prevention and protective measures.
Status: rejected

* Creation of online resources for schools - Funded by the CEI, COVID-19 Extraordinary Call for Proposals-Education and E-learing methods.
Status: rejected

Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :

Community Action Groups:
* Community development and civic participation

Local Authorities :
* Social Assistance- Working procedures for children with migrant parents
* Project management
* Accessing structural & cohesion funds
* Accessing EEA and Norwegian Grants 2014-2021

The following measures to solve problems in Roma community were taken :
* Recruitment of a school mediator
* Recruitment of a school councelor for Roma children 
* Recruitement of a  Local Expert for Roma issues 

ROMACT Small Grants Scheme :

ROMACT offers small grants scheme to support the efforts of the municipalities and Community Action Groups to respond together to the needs of the most vulnerable and to multiply the good practices across ROMACT municipalities.
 
Under the scheme of small grants, the following projects were supported by ROMACT between April – December 2020:
Helping the vulnerable community​ - Sarmasu Municipality
ROMACT supported the municipality with 5376 € and reached 3350 vulnerable citizens during the first peak of pandemic. The project covered information campaign on COVID19 and provided masks, disinfectant products, informative flyers for the vulnerable families in the community. Telephone consultancy and specialized assistance were also offered to people who are at high risk of health due to COVID19.

Maintaining the quality of education – Samuil Micu Sarmasu Theoretical High School
ROMACT supported the school with 3707 €, reaching 360 students and 170 families in dire financial situation. The project increased the pupils’ school attendance with higher level of self-esteem in a proper sanitary environment through the procurement of school supplies and hygiene products for each pupil. Pupils and their families received counselling sessions on integrated measures against the pandemic and the importance of education in order to reduce school drop-outs during the pandemic.

Timeline Points

20 Nov 2018
Step 1- Becoming Commited- Signature of the letter of commitment
20 Sep 2019
Step 3- Translating priorities into measures. Joint Action Plan for Roma inclusion adopted by the Local Council
30 Sep 2020
End of ROMACT Process
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