In the restaurant VaPiano in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, on 21 November 2014, with the support of the Mitrovicë/a Municipal Assembly, Danish Refugee Council – office in Mitrovicë/a has organized a workshop on ‘Comprehensive Study on Roma Ashkali and Egyptian communities: presentation of findings -challenges and solutions’. The event is organized within the framework of the Support to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities in Mitrovicë/a, DRC project funded by Sweden.

In order to discuss challenges identified by the comprehensive study conducted by DRC in September 2014, this event gathered participants from different institutions, such as: local and central authorities, Embassy of Sweden, OSCE, UNHCR, UNICEF, local and international organizations, RAE communities’ representatives from Roma Mahala and 2 Korriku/Sitnicko Naselje.

The summary of the study findings has been presented by the external consultant engaged by DRC, Chiara Mossina, who also briefly introduced the Action Plan, which will cover roles/responsibilities of all Mitrovicë/a stakeholders, while aiming to improve access to education for RAE children and adults and to enhance their economic opportunities and civic participation on their re-integration in Kosovo society.

Foreseen by the workshop agenda, and in order to recognize possible solutions to the identified challenges, a constructive discussion has been encouraged, involving representatives of the RAE communities, LNGOs (DRC implementing partners) and municipal representatives.

Deputy Mayor of the Mitrovicë/a Municipality has thanked both, DRC and Embassy of Sweden, for work they are doing with marginalized groups in Mitrovicë/a region. He confirmed readiness of the Municipality to take more responsibility while dealing with re-integration of minority communities. He pointed out the two Memorandums of Understandings that Municipality has reached with DRC and mentioned that very soon Municipal Assembly will endorse the Local Action Plan for integration of the RAE communities. In addition to this, he confirmed that as of January 2015, Mitrovicë/a municipality will start co-financing different projects related to the RAE communities.