Community work is the key to change. Roma want to actively participate in solving the situation in their localities

We organized the 3rd round table at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic on the topic “Community work – a tool for change and support for Roma participation”, focused on cooperation between Roma leaders and representatives of local governments.
More than 25 participants gathered: community leaders, representatives of cities, regions, non-profit organizations and state administration. Representatives of Kladno, Mladá Boleslav, Kolín, Prague 5, Prague 14, Kralupy nad Vltavou, Ústí nad Labem and the Central Bohemian Region were present.

The discussions showed that most city representatives do not yet have direct experience with community organizing, which comes directly from Roma or Roma organizations. Sharing specific experiences and finding ways to better involve the Roma minority in decision-making on matters that affect them was all the more valuable.

The debate was also attended by Ing. Martina Bečvářová from the General Directorate of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic, who responded to specific situations from practice and offered a view on possible ways of solving problems with housing and extraordinary benefits.

For inspiration, two strong examples of good practice from the leaders of the Education, Leadership and Entrepreneurship project were presented:
– Petr Huňák presented the progress and results of work in the Josefov (Jaroměř) area,
– Irena Dunová shared her experience from the Mojžíř housing estate near Ústí nad Labem, where community organizing began with regular clean-ups and is gradually bringing long-term positive changes.

The community approach is not just “another tool”. It is a way to give people back self-confidence, space for their own initiative and responsibility for change. Roma people want to participate in changes, not to be constantly lectured. Communities must rise up on their own and our role in this is to be a partner, not an instructor.

The round table took place as part of the project “Supporting the social inclusion of Roma through community development and entrepreneurship”, which is implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.