Within the framework of the Joint EU-CoE ROMACTED Programme phase II, the Municipality of Kriva Palanka in North Macedonia completed the construction and arrangement of a new children’s playground in the Roma settlement of Edinstvo.

This was identified as a need by the Community Action Group and as a priority by the local authorities in the Local Action plan for Roma 2023-2026. In line with the Integrated plan for local development of the Municipality this playground will provide a recreational space for the development of sports culture among the Roma community in Kriva Palanka.

This action is part of ROMACTED II small grants scheme. Those small grants aim to support the implementation of actions at local level according to the concrete needs of the local Roma population. In Kriva Palanka the Municipality co-funded 50% of the planned budget for this playground project.

In accordance with the Council of Europe Strategic Action Plan for Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2020-2025) and the ROMACTED Methodology, this small grants scheme stimulates the empowerment of Roma communities by including them in the design, implementation and monitoring of plans and projects concerning them. It also enhances democratic participation and good governance at local level. As the ROMACTED II implementation phase carries on, the Programme will continue to support the partner municipalities into building-up their capacities and enabling better access to services for Roma through their active and direct involvement in joint decisions at the local level.

Playgrounds contribute to the development of children’s social and other skills, furthermore “to engage in play and recreational activities” is also recognised as a right in the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31, therefore it is important that such infrastructures are easily accessible to all children.

To know more about the 12 Principles of Good Governance, visit the following link: 12 Principles of Good Governance - Good Governance (coe.int).

 Photos of the playground are available here.