ERIO is participating in the project: "Exchange of Best practices and Expertise for Roma Integration and Social Inclusion". This project is carried out in partnership with the Centro Don Calabria (Italy) and funded by the Education and Culture Executive Agency in the framework of "Europe for Citizens Programme".

The overall objective of this project is fostering Roma active European citizenship through the exchange of experiences, knowledge, expertise and best practices acquired by different experts, governmental and non-governmental organisations and institutions that deal with Roma integration and social inclusion. It is also aimed at stimulating and increasing dialogue and networking among organisations and institutions dealing with Roma inclusion. Furthermore, the project aims at increasing awareness among EU institutions, national governments, public administrations, and European citizens of the need to promote Roma inclusion.

A series of national and international events will take place in the project's framework. Furthermore, a project publication will be released, CD-ROMs will be produced and a web site will be set up.

The project aims at bringing closer Roma communities to EU policies and programmes on anti-discrimination and social inclusion, especially Roma from Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The specific objectives of the project are:

1. To provide information on EU and national anti-discrimination legislation.

2. To provide information on the 2008-European Year for the Intercultural Dialogue.

3. To make Roma more aware of EU policies and programmes which are of importance for the development of their communities.

4. To reach Roma who are not familiar with EU policies and do not have access to electronic means and to usual channels of information.

The project is carried out in partnership with the Dzeno Association (Czech Republic) and the Tolerance and Mutual Aid Foundation (Bulgaria) and funded by the Education and Culture Executive Agency in the framework of the "Europe for Citizens Programme".

The methodology used in the project will make possible to reach Roma who neither have access to usual print and version press means nor to communication channels through which they can learn about anti-discrimination, EU citizenship and EU programmes and policies. There project tools are following: website, fact sheets, broadcastings and CDs. A project network will be also set up gathering organisations and individuals dealing with Roma inclusion, especially in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The products will be produced in Bulgarian, English, Romanes and Slovak.

It expected that Roma are more aware of their rights, especially concerning anti-discrimination and equal treatment. Most of the people, especially from the Roma communities, are not aware of the newest developments in the EU anti-discrimination legislation and their transposition at national level. Furthermore, it is expected that Roma will be well informed on the 2008-European Year of the Intercultural Dialogue becoming familiar with its scope, objectives, channels of participation and funding possibilities. Finally, Roma will be aware of EU policies and programmes which could support the development of their communities as the Structural Funds, especially on the European Social Fund, and the Programme Progress.