Up to 150,000 Roma are estimated to be living in Albania. Typically they are disproportionately affected by poverty and exclusion. They suffer from social discrimination and are more likely to be unemployed – and to be so for longer periods. The literacy rate is low among Roma and they are scarcely represented in political institutions. Many Roma children drop out of school early, especially the girls, if they have actually been sent to school at all. Their level of education is correspondingly low. A lack of school materials, language barriers and social coercion – such as the early marriage of girls – appear to be making this situation worse.
In 2003, the Albanian government adopted the «National Strategy On Improving the Living Conditions of the Roma Minority 2003-2015», which was complemented by a national transversal «Social Inclusion Strategy 2007-2013». Both count as priorities in the superior «National Strategy for Development and Integration 2007-2013». Implementation of these strategies is however still a long way off.
Alternating education and vocational training for Roma children
As part of Switzerland's contribution to help social inclusion of the Roma, the CEFA project was launched, providing Roma children with alternating blocks of formal teaching and practical experience. As well as providing the children with an education, the project is intended to help improve the economic and social living conditions of their families. It is concentrated in the municipalities of Korca, Elbasan, Berat and Tirana and is implemented by Ndihmë Për Fëmijët (NPF), an Albanian NGO.
The programme has already had some success stories:
- Formal education
Remedial classes to enable the children to catch up have made it easier for Roma children to enter the school system. 81% of the 800 or so children that have taken part in the programme since 2009 are now following the regular curriculum. - Vocational skills development
Roma have been given access to vocational education or support in setting up their own businesses, through microcredits for example. 88% of the 160 families that have received such support since 2001 are still successfully running their own business. - Social integration and perception
The Roma are better integrated at the local level. People's perception of them and behaviour towards them have improved in the participating schools and municipalities. Roma parents are attaching greater value to their children's education and are keen to send them to school. - Organisational development
The structure, organisation and capacity of NPF have improved. This allows the NGO to pursue its activities independently from the CEFA project.
The project was aligned with the national strategies mentioned above. The Roma secretariat in the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, which handles the «National Strategy On Improving the Living Conditions of the Roma Minority», is an active partner of the project. It has categorically stated that the project is a major contributing factor in the implementation of its action plan, for example in the areas of education, employment, poverty reduction and social protection.
Albania took what is considered to be an important step in 2008 when it decided to participate in the "Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015". The CEFA project contributes directly to this, promoting access to education, employment and social services for the Roma. The SDC supports the Roma Education Fund with the representation of the Swiss ambassador to Albania as a permanent member.
The ongoing seventh phase of the project will be the last and is intended to ensure the sustainability of the project. It is composed of three parts:
- Services
Roma children are integrated into the public education system and benefit from the fact that their needs are taken into account. - Capacity building
Municipal administrations make a range of social services available to the Roma and so win their trust. - Sharing experiences
Documentation on experiences, methods and insights gained from the project is made available to NGOs and governmental offices.
The direct beneficiaries of this phase of the project are more than 320 children, 160 vocational apprentices, 2,000 members of the Roma community and 40 representatives of around 20 Roma organisations. 140 teachers and 30 municipal administrations contribute to the project's success. At the start of this phase, the services provided are at the forefront. The focus then shifts to the two other objectives. Accordingly, the role of the Albanian NGO NPF will also change, assuming an ever-increasing role as mediator and adviser rather than implementing agency.
