R.I.D.E (Roma inclusive drive to education)

Implementor

Qendra Sociale Murialdo

The action

The aim of the project is to promote the integration of Roma children and teenagers in the territory of Fier Municipality, which is also the third municipality in Albania with the largest number of Roma community residents. This community, living in the suburban areas of the city, faces a level discrimination in some important areas of life, such as at the professional, educational and institutional level, creating models of exclusion or even self-exclusion from the social life of the city.

In recent years, there has been an increasing level of importance of inclusive education and social cohesion between different communities and it is precisely in this context that we will develop this project proposal. This initiative aims at promoting social integration and reducing cultural gaps by addressing needs of Roma children in Drizë. This can be achieved initially by providing equal opportunities for the full integration of Roma children in the educational system by contributing to the support of transportation expenses for attending school. Indeed, financial constraints and inadequate public transport infrastructure have hinder their ability to attend school regularly. As a result, they are deprived from the opportunities for their personal and professional growth and future perspectives on their abilities. In addition to facilitating access to education, the project aims to strengthen intercultural dialogue within community.

Initially, it aims to empower Roma and non-Roma children and youth to have the opportunity to create an intercultural dialogue and exchange experiences by participating in the artistic, formal, informal and sports activities of the Youth Center, at the Center Sociale Murialdo. By promoting empathy, the project seeks to embrace harmonious relationships that will contribute to a more comprehensive society. Through this project, the aim is to increase the number of children attending education and to decrease the number of those who drop out of school.