CALL FOR ROMANI CIVIL SOCIETY DELEGATES
To attend the
DECADE OF ROMA INCLISION 2005 – 2015
21st INTERNATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
under the Presidency of the Republic of Macedonia
September 29-30, 2011
Skopje, Macedonia
Deadline to apply: 13 September 2011
Eligible countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Spain
Background
The Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015 is a political commitment by Governments to combat poverty,
exclusion, and discrimination of Roma within a regional framework. The twelve countries currently taking
part in the Decade are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Spain. A thirteenth country, Slovenia, has an
observer status.
The International Steering Committee (ISC) constitutes the highest decision-making and coordination
body of the Decade. The ISC is comprised of all the participating governments, international partner
organizations and representatives of the national Romani civil societies. The ISC meets at least two times
per year, and is hosted by the government holding the rotating Presidency at the time of the meeting.
Romani civil society of each participating country is represented independently by one (1) delegate
at ISC. The delegates of the national Romani civil societies may formulate joint positions and propose
initiatives for consideration by the ISC.
Financial support for travel and accommodation of Romani NGO representatives at ISC meetings is
supported by the Open Society Roma Initiatives, with coordination and in partnership with the Decade
Secretariat.
For more information on the Decade of Roma Inclusion see: http://www.romadecade.org/about
Purpose of the Call
The purpose of the call is to encourage diverse Romani civil society representatives to take an active part
in the International Steering Committee meetings.
Expectations
Romani civil society representatives are expected to play an active role in the discussions, debates and
other activities of the meetings They should be able to contribute by sharing issues, experiences, and
lessons learned by their organizations and also sharing concerns and recommendations of Romani
communities. It is expected that Roma civil society representatives distribute conclusions and
recommendations of the events among their partners and relevant stakeholders in their countries.
Selection criteria
For each ISC meeting, the participation costs of one Romani civil society delegate per country may be
supported by the Open Society Roma Initiatives.
In the selection of participants to be supported under this Call, the following aspects will be taken into
consideration:
a) Relevance of the issues and experiences that the applicant plans to share at the ISC meeting.
b) Proven experience working with Romani communities and civil society in the priority areas of the
Decade.
c) The degree to which the applicant may represent a broad range of Romani civic voices and
interests.
d) The plans for sharing and spreading information and knowledge gained at the ISC meeting with
other stakeholders in your country.
e) Past participation in ISC meetings or similar events.
f) Ability to communicate effectively in English or Romani language.
How to apply?
Please complete the attached application form in English or in Romani and send to
aademi@decadesecretariat.org latest by 13 September 2011. Late or incomplete applications will not be
considered.