OSCE/EU donate vehicles to 20 towns/municipalities in Serbia in support of Roma inclusion

Twenty towns/municipalities in Serbia received vehicles to support the work of Joint Mobile Teams for Roma Inclusion at a ceremony in Belgrade on 16 September 2014.

The project is supported by the “We Are Here Together - European Support for Roma Inclusion” project, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Office for Human and Minority Rights of the Government of Serbia.

The Joint Mobile Teams for Roma Inclusion have been established in 20 pilot towns/municipalities to improve Roma integration alongside Serbian institutions and local governments. With the aim of strengthening institutional co-operation, the five members of each team include the Municipal Roma Coordinator, Roma Health Mediator, Pedagogical Assistant and experts from the Centres for Social Work and Employment Service.

The event that gathered mayors/representatives of respective municipalities/towns, representatives of the Government of Serbia, the EU Delegation, and the OSCE Mission to Serbia was an opportunity to reinforce the overall co-operation with these municipalities and the positive work being done.

Several rounds of training courses were conducted with the Mobile Teams and they have begun their work in the Roma settlements. As a result over 500 children enrolled in pre-school education. The vehicles will be used exclusively by these Mobile Teams, and are meant to make their field work more efficient.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Peter Burkhard, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, extended his congratulations to the municipalities and towns involved. “We look forward to continue working with you, creating substantial and tangible progress in already inspiring efforts for greater Roma inclusion”, said Ambassador Burkhard.

The establishment of the Mobile Teams is part of the EU-funded project, and builds on more than ten years of work by the OSCE Mission in the area of the integration of the Roma national minority in Serbia. It aims at supporting Serbian institutions in the improvement of life of Roma people in the areas of access to basic rights and civic participation, labour market, education, health, social welfare, adequate housing and job creation.