Roma Inclusion and Regional Policy - Pilot project for Roma Inclusion

Final Outcomes: Closing conference and Lessons learnt

International Dissemination Conference of ‘A Good Start’ project (4 June 2012, Brussels)

With more than 120 participants, the Roma Education Fund in cooperation with the World Bank organized the `Conference on Early Childhood Education and Care for Roma Children` ‒ Lessons from the EU Parliament-DG Regional Policy Pilot Project and Policy Implications for EU Structural Funds Use, which took place in Brussels, the 4th of June 2012.The conference aimed to disseminate the results and outcomes of the "A Good Start" project, co-funded by the European Commission. The `A Good Start` supported more than 4,000 Romani children aged zero to six, in accessing early childhood education and care services in 16 locations from across four countries (Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, and Slovakia). The conference was also the launch event to the World Bank report "Toward An Equal Start: Closing The Early Learning Gap For Roma Children In Eastern Europe " based on the 2011 UNDP/WB/EC regional Roma survey of Romani households in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.

The opening remarks was chaired by Mr. Rudolf Niessler, Director of DG Regional Policy (European Commission) and the list of high-level speakers included Mr. László Andor, European Commissioner, Ms. Danuta Hübner, Member of the European Parliament, Ms. Lívia Járóka, Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Pierre Mairesse, Director of DG Education and Culture (European Commission), and Mr. Costel Bercus, Chair of the Roma Education Fund , who all delivered welcoming speeches. Participants at the Conference had the opportunity to view a photo exhibition about the project activities.  The conference brought together policymakers, academics, Roma and non-Roma civil society organizations, governments, and European Commission and European Parliament representatives interested in developing a more inclusive system of early childhood education and care for Roma disadvantaged children.

• Press release: www.romaeducationfund.hu/news/ref/news-and-events/news-release-access-early-childhood-education-and-care-key-equal-start-roma
• Conference agenda: http://www.romaeducationfund.hu/sites/default/files/documents/agenda_04_june_ecec_conference.pdf
• Presentations, agenda, opening remarks: http://www.romaeducationfund.hu/dissemination-conference-good-start-project-agenda-and-power-point-presentation
• Photo exhibition gallery: http://www.romaeducationfund.hu/dissemination-conference-good-start-project-photo-exhibition
• ‘A Good Start’ videos: http://www.romaeducationfund.hu/videos
• Other materials:
  • Agenda
  • Presentations: coming soon
  • Lessons from the project and Policy Implications for EU Structural Fund Use

Tuesday 4 September 2012 , 8.45-17.15 - Closing conference 'A Way Out - and a Possible Way Forward Social Microcredit, Financial Inclusion and Self-Employment' - Novotel Brussels Centre Tour Noir (Rue de la Vierge Noire 32, 1000 Brussels)

On 4 September 2012 DG Regional Policy organised the Closing Conference of the Kiutprogramme 'A Way Out - and a Possible Way Forward Social Microcredit, Financial Inclusion and Self-Employment' jointly with the World Bank and Polgár Foundation.

The objective of the event was to present the Kiutprogramme experience in the field of social micro-finance services to enhance Roma self-employment. Policy recommendations were also discussed and the report on "Financial inclusion", concluded by the World Bank, was presented.

Further information:

• Agenda of the conference:  http://bit.ly/a-way-out- conference-program
• Online Registration:  http://bit.ly/a-way-out- registration 
• Contact: closingconference@polgaralapitvany.hu
• Other materials:
  • Agenda
  • Presentations:
    - Financial Inclusion Roma
    - Policy Implications for the Use of Structural Funds for Developing Microcredit and Self-employment for Roma Communities
    - Policy Recommendations Based on the experience of the Kiútprogram
    - Kiútprogram – A Social Microcredit Program for the Roma in Hungary
    - Stone Soup
    - Financial Inclusion of marginalized Roma Communities in Slovakia
  • Lessons from the project and Policy Implications for EU Structural Fund Use

Tuesday 29 November 2011, 13.30 – 17.30 - Invitation to the Final Conference on Effective Roma Campaigning (Strand 3 of the EP Roma Pilot Project): Mundo B - Rue d’Edimbourg 26, 1050 Brussels (metro Porte de Namur)

On 29 November 2011, ERGO network organized the closing conference for the awareness raising campaign part of the EP Roma Pilot Project.

To conclude the campaign, ERGO Network and its implementing partners - Policy Center for Roma and Minorities (Romania), Integro Association (Bulgaria) and Roma Active Albania - presented the results, achievements and lesson learned and showed a selection of the rich material that bears testimony to their achievements and present the stories behind the conclusions.

Please visit the project website for more information: www.ergonetwork.org or contact Gabriela Hrabanova (g.hrabanova@ergonetwork.org).

• Invitation
• Other materials:
  • Agenda
  • Presentations:
    - Video presentation of Dirk Ahner, Director General DG Regio
    - Brève Effective Roma Campaigning
    - ERGO Meeting November 29 Speakers
    - Summary ERGO Meeting November 29
    - REACT Campaign main conclusions
    - Speech from Dirk Ahner, Director General DG Regio
  • Lessons from the project and Policy Implications for EU Structural Fund Use