The marginalized and vulnerable continue to be at the center of NOSA’s efforts to strengthen social cohesion and empower the weak and poor. It has often undertaken actions and interventions to aid and contribute to the betterment of conditions for these communities. One of the interventions is represented by the OSFA project to monitor the implementation of the national strategy “On the improvement of the living conditions of the Roma population in Albania.”

On 5 July 2006, the Open Society (Soros) Foundation for Albania organized an event to disseminate the findings of the strategy. The monitors, experts of the OSFA, the Albanian Helsinki Committee and of the Center for Children’s Protection, in close collaboration with members of the Roma community, monitored the implementation of steps and actions contained in the strategy at all levels of government: among the agencies of central government itself, between central and local government with regard to budget allocations, actions taken, measures implemented, etc.

The monitoring groups arrived at the conclusion that the Roma National Strategy presents a number of problems.

Some of the problems originate from the way the strategy was designed. Hastily drafted, without paying due heed to the need to coordinate with other national strategies, the Roma strategy does not even provide a realistic cost estimate. In addition, the implementation of the strategy has been accompanied by problems and inefficiencies leading to partial results and unfulfilled objectives. No better is the situation in such areas as the registration of the Roma population, education and awareness building of the Roma communities in education, healthcare and sanitation, awareness of the rights and freedoms they are entitled to, etc. Even funds have not been allocated to sufficient amounts or have not been spent adequately. Inter agency coordination and cooperation among Roma Ngo-s, local government units and the rest of civil society has been unsuccessful as exclusion rather than inclusion has been the prevailing pattern.

The experts presented recommendations and options to remedy the situation. Their report advises the governmental structures to institute a full review of the strategy and implementation arrangements. The Local government units are advised to establish better and more effective cooperation with the central level and with the Roma NGO-s and Roma communities.

For more information

The presentation of the findings and recommendations was extensively covered by the main media in the country.