DEADLINE 31 JANUARY: Call to contribute to the Roma Civil Monitor 2021-2025 project
The current Roma Civil Monitor initiative is continuing the Roma Civil Monitor pilot project 2017-2020 and aims to involve at least 90 pro-Roma and Romani civil society organizations (CSOs) and individuals from 26 EU Member States (Malta not included) in monitoring and reporting on Member States’ National Strategic Frameworks on Roma inclusion in particular. During the previous period, the initiative in the Czech Republic was led by a founding member organization of the RomanoNet network, the organization Slovo 21, z. s., which published the three Roma Civil Monitor reports:
Civil society monitoring reports on the implementation of the National Roma Integration Strategy 2014-2020 in the Czech Republic:
1st monitoring report
2nd monitoring report
3rd monitoring report
Following the adoption of the EU Strategic Framework for Roma for Equality, Inclusion and Participation (EURSF) on 7 October 2020, and at the initiative of the European Parliament, the European Commission launched the Roma Civil Monitor (RCM) initiative for 2021-2025 (with the full title: “Preparatory Action – Roma Civil Monitoring – Capacity building and involvement of Roma and pro-Roma civil society in policy monitoring and evaluation”). This initiative is meant to contribute to building the capacity of civil society nationally, of organizations that are pro-Roma and Romani, and aims to provide systematic support to their advocacy activities, their cooperation with national institutions dealing with Romani inclusion, and their engaging in dialogue with stakeholders.
In line with the EURSF, RCM 2021-2025 aims to build the capacity of such CSOs to contribute to monitoring national strategies by applying a bottom-up methodology based on local experiences and knowledge in order to influence national decisions so that they effectively reflect the needs of Romani communities. Interested organizations should send their completed application forms to: michal.miko@romanonet.cz.
The deadline is 31 January 2022. The call is aimed at involving organizations that deal with the following issues within the implementation of the Strategy for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of the Roma (Roma Integration Strategy) 2021-2030 in the Czech Republic:
1. the position of LGBTIQ Roma in the implementation of this strategy
2. discrimination, hate crimes, and respect for human rights
Coalition members’ role
The CSOs selected under this call to form the RCM National Coalition will participate in the activities organized by the RCM National Coordinator under the leadership of and with the support of the RCM Consortium. These activities will focus on building the capacity of CSOs to critically monitor public authorities’ actions (or lack thereof) for Roma equality, inclusion, and participation at various levels (local, regional, national), as well as participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of public policies affecting equality and Roma inclusion.
The RCM National Coalitions will coordinate and support their members in engaging in dialogue with public authorities and other stakeholders (including the media and mainstream civil society) and engaging in policy-making structures and processes to defend the needs and interests of Roma communities. Under the RCM initiative, members of the RCM National Coalition will have the opportunity to participate in various capacities in:
– preparation of national monitoring reports
– elaboration of transnational thematic reports
– drawing up annual plans for national sustainable cooperation
– transnational cooperation and networking with other CSOs participating in the RCM
– development and implementation of a small project financed by the RCM
Selection criteria and conditions for membership in the RCM National Coalition:
– be a registered NGO in the Czech Republic
– have a history of at least two years in the Roma / pro-Roma movement or related social movements (human rights, anti-discrimination)
– demonstrate at least three years of experience (analytical experience an advantage) in at least one of the following thematic areas: community organization, LGBT+, social services
– willingness to cooperate with other CSOs in the country and throughout the European Union
Send the completed application form to: michal.miko@romanonet.cz. Deadline: 31 January 2022.
