Youth – Page 5 – ERGO Network

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS – Roma Youth Advocacy Seminar

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
Roma Youth Advocacy Seminar
Brussels, April 6 until 13, 2018 (including travel days)

Join us in Brussels to learn about European policy-making and civil society advocacy, and to raise young voices in front of the European Parliament, European Commission and other stakeholders to combat antigypsyism and to advance important issues for Roma communities. This six days lasting seminar is organized by ternYpe International Roma Youth Network, ERGO Network and the Documentation and Cultural Centre & Central Council of German Sinti and Roma. It will gather 40 young Roma and non-Roma activists in order to strengthen their capacity as young advocates and leaders to tackle antigypsyism. During the seminar, the group will run a youth campaign against antigypsyism targeting EU level actors, like Members of the European Parliament and European Commission. The advocacy seminar is part of the “EU Roma Week” around the 8 April – International Roma Day.

Our mission and vision

The organizers aim to empower young Roma to have a voice to become key agents of change, and to foster solidarity among young people! We have a strong vision to make a change in Europe. As young Roma and non-Roma we believe that we can build a European culture based on respect, dialogue, human rights and equal opportunities. We strongly follow our mission to create space for young people to become active citizens through empowerment, mobilization, self-organization and participation. “EU Roma Week” in the European Parliament Roma Week 2018 takes places from April 9-12, 2018 in the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg to mark the occasion of the International Roma Day on 8 April 2018. Roma Week 2016-2017 resulted in the Slovak Presidency having two Council Conclusions on Roma with reference to the European Parliament’s 2015 resolution on antigypsyism and for the recognition of the Roma Genocide, as well as in a new Parliament report on fundamental rights aspects in Roma integration in the EU: fighting anti-Gypsyism (of October 2017).

Objectives of “EU Roma Week”

EU Roma week 2018 is designed with the aim of bringing together Roma activists from the European Union to advocate for recognition and institutional responses against antigypsyism across Europe, as well as to engage in the discussions for a post2020 EU Framework for the National Roma Integration Strategies.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The seminar aims to strengthen the capacity of the participants to understand the structures and working mechanisms of the EU institutions, as well as the current EU policies concerning Roma and against racism, and to develop advocacy strategies and campaigns raising-awareness about antigypsyism on European level.

The objectives of the activity are to:

Get to know the European Union institutions and to understand their working mechanisms, and policies towards Roma, in particular of the European Parliament and European Commission;
Build a dialogue and bring a Roma youth perspective to DG Justice (responsible for Roma policies in the European Commission), to DG EAC (Education and Culture, includes the youth sector in the European Commission), as well as to Members of the European Parliament in particular of ARDI(Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup);
Learn about the work of the EU umbrella organizations and contribute to their work;
Raise awareness of the participants about antigypsyism, and the current anti-racism policies;
Raise awareness of the participants about the Brussels-based civil society structures and their strategies against antigypsyism and racism (in particular ERGO Network, ENAR (European Network against Racism) and the European Youth Forum);
Develop a youth campaign against antigypsyism and on Roma youth perspectives during the “EU Roma Week” of the European Parliament;
Raise awareness of Members of the European Parliament, European Commission staff and Brussels based advocates about the recognition of the Roma Holocaust and of antigypsyism, which was acknowledged in April 2015 by a European Parliament resolution and in a report of the LIBE Committee in October 2017.

THEMATIC GROUPS

Participants are asked to indicate already in their application their preference for one working group. During the training-course the participants will work in small groups of 10 to 15 participants around this theme.

Participation: focus on political participation of Roma and of young women and men, participation in mainstream political parties, European Parliament elections 2019, state institutions as well as participation in mainstream civil society and youth structures, such as National Youth Councils, European Youth Forum;
Antigypsyism: focus on the policy debate on combating antigypsyism, bringing focus on antigypsyism within the EU Roma Framework, with a special focus on youth and women,
impact of antigypsyism on youth and women, role of youth and women in combating antigypsyism, issue of hate speech in the public field;
Advanced Advocacy: focus on the mid-term review of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies, and advocacy for a post 2020 European Roma Framework, the Social Europe/European Pillar of Social Rights policy and the Multiannual Financial Framework post 2020.

Friday,

6 April

Arrival, joint dinner, welcome

Saturday,

7 April

Opening, sharing experiences

Training sessions: the European institutional framework, Roma-related policies

Sunday,

8 April

Training sessions on advocacy and antigypsyism

Focus on the “Alliance against Antigypsyism”

International Roma Day events

Monday,

9 April

Work in thematic groups: Participation, Antigypsyism, Advanced Advocacy

Preparation of the Roma Week activities

Meeting with experienced EU advocates and activists

Meetings with external stakeholders in small thematic groups: European Commission, European civil society structures, International Organizations

Situation in Western Balkan and Turkey, EU Enlargement policies

Tuesday,

10 April

The thematic working groups (Participation, Antigypsyism, Advocacy) participate and engage in various activities of the EU Roma Week in the European Parliament

Wednesday,

11 April

The thematic working groups (Participation, Antigypsyism, Advocacy) participate and engage in various activities of the EU Roma Week in the European Parliament

Thursday,

12 April

Working Breakfast with various Members of the European Parliament;

The thematic working groups (Participation, Antigypsyism, Advocacy) participate and engage in various activities of the EU Roma Week in the European Parliament;

Evaluation of the event and of the Roma week, Closing dinner

Friday,

13 April

Departure

PROFILE OF THE PARTICIPANTS

Present will be Roma and non-Roma youth leaders, activists, multipliers, and volunteers who are active in Roma communities and experienced in working with Roma communities and/or Roma youth. We aim to create a balanced group of experience participants and participants who have NOT participated in the training previously, and who demonstrate a strong interest in advocacy and political participation.
Participants must also:
be able and committed to act as young advocates and multipliers in youth work on the themes of anti-discrimination, combating racism and antigypsyism and promotion of human rights with young Roma, for the benefit of Roma communities and Roma youth;
be motivated to develop their competences in advocacy, anti-discrimination work, human rights education and youth work and to share their experiences with other participants;
be actively committed and involved in a Roma (youth) initiative, advocacy group or organization;
be aged between 18 – 35 years;
be committed to attend for the full duration of the course;
be able to work in English, or check with the coordination that translation can be provided through other participants or team members;
be resident in one of the following countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia

DATES OF THE ACTIVITY

Arrival: April 6, 2018 (Friday)
Program days: April 7 until April 12, 2018
Departure: April 13, 2018 (Friday)

LOCATION

The seminar is organised in Brussels.
Accommodation is provided in Hotel Aviation, Square de l’Aviation 20, 1070 Bruxelles. The conference will take place in various venues. Information is provided with the Info Pack later.

TRAVEL

Participants should organize their travel (arrival and departure) for these dates AFTER the organizers have confirmed their participation. Earlier arrivals and late departures will be exceptions after discussion with the organizers.

COSTS

Reimbursement of travel costs:

The organisers of the seminar cover accommodation and food during the activity. The maximum of reimbursement of travel costs is € 200 (for French and German participants € 150); if costs are higher they have to be covered by participants or contact the organizers. The reimbursements of travel expenses (based on economical prices, Apex, student price, special price) will take place on the spot during the week in cash or by bank transfer after the activity. Participants should bring with them original invoices to prove the costs of travel as well the tickets.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION

How to apply? Register in the online application form:

https://goo.gl/forms/1oFCubAdEg1HO60H2

Application deadline: February 25, 2018 (end of day)

Selection procedure:

If you fit into the participants’ profile, you may submit an application until February 25 at midnight Central European Time. The preparatory team will select up the participants on the basis of the profile outlined above, ensuring also a balance between genders, geographical regions, different types of experiences and organizations. Within few days, we will inform the candidates whether their application has been accepted or rejected.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Contact person: Jozsef Rostas
e-mail: j.rostas@staging.ergonetwork.org
ternype general contact: ternype@romayouth.com

Investing in our future: what work(s) for young Roma

ERGO Network asks European leaders and Member States to better invest in Roma youth employment

At a panel debate organised by ERGO Network on Monday (27/11/2017) preceding the 11^th Meeting of the European Platform for Roma Inclusion, European policy makers and civil society representatives discussed what is needed to better support young Roma on the labour market.

Youth unemployment in the EU has decreased in 2016 – good news after years of economic recession. However, for young Roma the situation is not at all the same. The rate of young Roma not in education, employment or training (NEET) has risen in almost all Member States with a high Roma population: 63 % of Roma aged 16-24 are not in employment, education or training, compared with the 12 % EU average on the NEET rate for the same age group.

During the debate, Simona Torotcoi, researcher in the Central European University, presented a research study prepared with members in ERGO Network. The young people interviewed expressed as greatest obstacles the lack of quality education and training, which is in many cases influenced by school segregation of Roma and a high drop-out rate. But also the generally bad labour market situation in their area with salaries below a living wage and antigypsyism by employers play a big role for their situation. Torotcoi pointed out: “The most surprising finding was that young Roma have internalised antigypsyism so much that they told us Roma are lazy, even though only a small number of them have ever refused a job”.

Dominique Bé, Policy Officer in DG Employment and Social Affairs,

remarked that the lack of access to quality education was the main factor for Roma youth unemployment. “Many employers are willing to employ Roma if they have the right skillset; therefore the biggest change needs to happen in the education systems”.

There is a lot of pessimism when it comes to Roma employment, but ERGO’s study showed that young Roma are motivated to work and that positive examples of employment measures exist. Melinda Kassai from ERGO Member Pro Cseherat presented the example of a community gardening project in Hungary that supports the income of rural Roma communities in a sustainable way. She explained that with some more investment, projects like this could be up-scaled and transferred to many similar communities in order to yield positive results both for Roma and non-Roma.

Thorsten Afflerbach, Head of Division for the Roma and Travelers Team in the Council of Europe, expressed the need for a better exchange between national governments on employment measures that have proven to be successful and in this regard welcomed ERGO’s research that presents 10 promising practices identified by grassroots organisations.

For ERGO Network it is essential that young Roma themselves are involved in the design of effective policies and measures that can improve their situation on the labour market, as beneficiaries know best what support they need. In the framework of the research project, young Roma ask their national governments to invest more in youth entrepreneurship, improve the cooperation between public employment services, NGOs and educational institutions, ensure a decent level of wages and combat antigypsyism on the labour market.

Such measures would not be possible without the EU’s support and assistance to the Member States through its key actions and financing. ERGO Network passes on these messages to the 11^th EU Roma Platform and urges the European Union to put greater emphasis on young Roma in its employment, education and Roma policies and programmes. This includes a revision of the European Youth Guarantee and the Youth Employment Initiative to give particular attention to hard-to-reach groups, inclusion of specific targets for Roma employment in the Social Scoreboard of the European Pillar of Social Rights and concrete strategies to combat antigypsyism on the labour market.

Please find more information on the research ‘Investing in our Future’: What work(s) for young Roma here.

Invitation: Public event on Roma youth employment

Investing in our future – what work(s) for young Roma

ERGO Network Public event

Monday 27^th November, Mundo B, Brussels

09:00 – 12:30, followed by networking lunch

Equality of employment opportunities for young Roma is fair and just, but also a smart economic choice: It is an effective way to improve growth prospects and respond to the demographic challenge of rapidly ageing populations in EU Member States. Investing in young Roma breaks the cycle of poverty, discrimination and exclusion. It can yield high returns and can deliver the kind of lasting change that many policies and programmes have so far failed to achieve.

At ERGO’s Public Event, we will discuss the issue with representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Europe, present qualitative research done by ERGO members in five EU member states on youth employment measures and launch a campaign to mobilise support for investing in employment opportunities for young Roma.

The campaign will be centred on views and messages of young Roma themselves. We aim to convince decision-makers to support employment of young Roma and break the stigma that Roma do not want or can work. The campaign aims to make clear that young Roma want to work and can have opportunities, if sufficient investment is done and they receive the right support.

Download the programme here.

Please confirm your participation by 21st November here.

ERGO Summer Academy showcases campaign ideas for Roma youth employment

In ERGO’s Summer Academy, taking place from 26 August to 2 September in Barcelona, a group of outstanding participants from across Europe joined forces to work together on a thematic campaign to raise awareness on Roma youth unemployment. The one-week long ERGO Summer Academy hosted 19 young professionals alongside the team of ERGO Network and guest trainers from Greece and Bulgaria.

The academy invited participants to join as experts from ERGO member organisations, other Roma NGOs and local or national administrations to discuss emerging issues of social exclusion, education and employment, and what a multi-stakeholder agenda for quality education and better employment can achieve regarding Roma youth.

Raising awareness on the plight of Roma youth employment has never been more important: 58% of Roma aged 16 to 24 are not in employment, education or training. At the same time, in countries such as Romania or Bulgaria up to 20% of new labour market entrants are Roma. The new financial cycle of the European Commission will start in 2021, thus reminding decision-makers on what is at stake is of great importance.

The participants used the Academy to create an awareness raising campaign that will be launched at this year’s EU Roma Platform in Brussels. The work started with differentiating the terminology and discussing the issues relevant to the context of employment. After hearing experiences and personal stories of participants, the group gained first-hand knowledge on the employment context in Barcelona through the initiatives of `FAGIC`, a Catalonian Roma network. To conclude the learning part of the week, Leonor Rebassa from Amnesty International introduced the group to all to the very details and best practices of thorough campaign planning.

In the second half of the week, innovative ideas for an ERGO youth employment campaign were brought to the table from working groups. In the last two days, it started to be clear what the campaign will look like, and finally, 4 initiatives made it to realization. They will be launched at this year’s European Roma Platform, which will be held in Brussels on 27/28 November on the topic of ‘Transition from Education to Employment’. ERGO’s campaign will focus on antigypsyism and discrimination on the labour market and addresses decision-makers and employers from the perspective of young Roma themselves.

Besides all their hard work, the participants of the event soon acclimatized to the fantastically located venue of Mare de Deu del Coll, and enjoyed mid-summer heat from the very early mornings till late nights that left enough time for networking between ERGO’s members and making new friends. Not only the sea at Barceloneta, but the whole week has been a refreshing experience to all participants.

Advocacy Training in Romania

Between 14 -16 August, the association Center of Resources for Social Inclusion CRIS, ERGO member, organized a training course on ‘Advocacy for combating antigypsyism and discrimination towards Roma’. The training was organized in Sinaia, Romania for ten Roma students and higher education graduates from Prahova County. Today, the ten participants are good friends and well-trained in undertaking advocacy for combating negative attitudes towards Roma in Romania and not only, as they said after the training. All because they understood that if they do not train and do not get involved, tomorrow they can be the next victims.

The training is part of CRIS’ Annual Work Plan 2017 in cooperation with ERGO Network. It has received financial support from the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” (2014-2020).