The objective of the Upscaling the Roma Platform project was to promote the visibility of the new National Policy on Roma (ROMPO2) programme at the regional and local level. The project developed cooperation networks between Roma people and authorities. Based on the national programme, the cooperation networks were encouraged to draft a separate region-specific Roma integration strategy for each region (MAARO programmes).
In addition, Upscaling the Roma Platform project aimed to advance the participation and influencing opportunities of Roma youth, and to continue the work on gender equality that began during the previous project. The project published newsletters about its events on this website.
Regional Events
Upscaling the Roma Platform project aimed to expand the regional networks created during the previous project by bringing together new stakeholders. The project organised three local MAARO events, which aim to bring together Roma people and representatives from municipalities, regions and cities to discuss the local needs of the Roma population. The word MAARO, which means ‘bread’ in the Roma language, refers in this case to the region-specific Roma policy programmes that were encouraged based on the outcomes of the regional events.
MAARO events were held in Rovaniemi, Pori and Tampere. They attracted 74 people in all, including Roma activists, workers from the national and regional Advisory Boards on Romani Affairs, and representatives of local Roma organisations and regional and local government authorities. Facilitation and visual reporting were provided by Monkey Business. Below you can find the summaries of the events (in Finnish).
The MAARO-guide is intened for local and regional actors to support the local implementation of the National Roma Policy. Below you can find a permanent link to the guide.
A national meeting of Roma women was held in Jyväskylä in early February 2019. The day’s themes were health, wellbeing and making a difference in society. Experts on these fields gave presentations, and the topics were then discussed in groups. The event attracted 27 participants across Finland. Among the attendees were representatives from a variety of organisations and projects.
The objective of the workshops was to collect young people’s opinions, ideas and experiences regarding influencing, and to develop their awareness of their own opportunities to make a difference, both as individuals and as a community. The fundamental premise of the work-shops was to make young people’s voice heard and to strengthen their inclusion in society. Workshops were facilitated by Academy of Youth and materials produced by Luovi vocational college.
The workshops were held in Nurmijärvi, Kauhajoki and Iisalmi in spring 2019. The total number of participants was 77, including 40 young Roma between the ages of 13 and 29. Local Roma and Roma organisations participated in organising the events.
