Regional cross-border cooperation

Identifying and Reducing Prejudices as a Source of Conflict between Roma and Non-Roma Population - Cases of Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, and Slovenia Compared (REDUPRE) (2011-2013)

Applicant:
ISCOMET - Institute for Ethnic and Regional Studies, Maribor, Slovenia

Project partners
ECERS - European Centre for Ethnic, Regional and Sociological Studies, University of Maribor, Slovenia
Association of the Roma Councillors of Slovenia, Cankova, Slovenia
Institute for Population and Human Research at Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
Integro Association, Razgrad, Bulgaria
Euroregional Centre for Democracy,Timisoara, Romania
Resource Centre for Roma Communities,Cluj Napoca, Romania
IGES - International Institute for Legal and Economic Studies for Development, Gorizia, Italy
Assoziazione Them Romano ONLUS, Lanciano, Italy

Target regions
Banat, Crisana (Timis County - Timisoara, Sânpetru Mare; Bihor County - Alesd; Arad County - Sântana) - Romania
Friuli Venezia Giulia - Italy
Razgrad - Bulgaria
Bela Krajina - Slovenia

Main objectives
Analysis of the stereotypes against the Roma population and their sources, in the four countries
Elaboration of practical models, mediation techniques and manuals adapted to the particular circumstances in the target regions and aimed at reducing the sources of persisting prejudices
Practical mediation activities in the chosen localities, involving both Roma and non-Roma population
Training of trainers capable of implementing the models and mediation techniques in the everyday life of the Roma and non-Roma population
Comparative analysis of the actions taken against prejudices in Bulgaria, Italy, Romania and Slovenia and elaboration of a cross-linking integral model for reducing stereotypes, also applicable at the European level

Target groups
Roma and non-Roma people in 16 localities (4 in each country)
NGOs, teachers, social workers, medical staff, journalists etc. in the chosen localities
Local representatives of the Roma and non-Roma communities (members of political representation of both social groups)

Activities
Study and analytical work aimed at identifying the sources of the stereotypes towards the Roma population in order to produce new knowledge and practical approaches for solving the issues tackled (national surveys, analysis of the four chosen localities, in-depth interviews)
Field questionnaires in the chosen localities aimed at both identifying local particularities concerning the sources of stereotypy and testing the readiness of the Roma and non-Roma groups to accept new mediation techniques
Creating a group for mediation and training aimed at elaborating practical models and mediation techniques representing the foundation of the REDUPRE training activities
Organizing 3 workshops, in each country, for Roma and non-Roma activists, representatives, women and children
Creating the website of the REDUPRE project
Preparing a well elaborated expert publication which will be a compilation of all the expert findings and methodological results of the REDUPRE project

The project is implemented between 1 March 2011 - 30 April 2013 with the financial support of the EU's Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme.

For further details concerning the target regions and localities in Romania, see the reports:
Statistics concerning the Roma population in the West and North-West Regions of Romania
Presentation of the four target localities in Romania 
Study concerning the Roma in Romania. Analysis of four target localities – Timisoara, Sanpetru Mare, Santana, Alesd