via Council of Europe - Roma and Travellers Team website

On 9 October 2020 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Education and Research of Romania (MoER) confirming quality inclusive education and training as a common priority. Following this positive development, a microgrant scheme was launched today targeting schools in the most disadvantaged areas of the country as a first initiative within the cooperation between the two institutions on the topic of education of Roma children.

The microgrant scheme also comes as a response to the request of the Ministry of Education and Research in Romania for support, following a similar microgrant scheme offered to schools involved in the European Union and Council of Europe Joint Project INSCHOOL “Inclusive Schools: Making a Difference for Roma children” between April and June 2020. A public call was published today by the MoER on its official website, and schools are invited to send their applications within the criteria described in the call documentation by 29 October 2020.

One of the main objectives of the funding is to ensure educational and methodological support and promote equal access to quality inclusive education and educational outcomes for all children and in particular children in vulnerable situations (Roma children, other minorities, children with special educational needs, disabled children, children whose parents are abroad, children in poverty). Activities supported through the microgrant favour remedial activities as well as psycho-emotional support, workshops on various topics and miscellaneous activities on as needed basis and within the inclusive approach.

The Council of Europe’s Roma and Travellers Division has earmarked a budget of € 100 000 over two years (2020 & 2021) in order to offer support to at least 40 schools for the maximum amount of 2500 euros per school.  It supports the objectives of the Strategic Action Plan for Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2020-2025) and, in particular, priority 5.3. Supporting access to inclusive quality education and training.