Project name: Professionalization of the Czechoslovak Roma Union 

Project registration number: CZ.03.02.03/00/24_073/0004573

Project implementation period: 1. 10. 2024 – 30. 9. 2026

Project Objectives

The project aims to initiate a process of organizational change through building personnel capacities, which will focus on 4 main areas of organizational development: NGO development, volunteering, fundraising, brand and communication strategy of the organization. The process of change in the areas of management, marketing and PR, fundraising and human resources will ultimately lead to the creation of a professionally functioning, viable and sustainable organization dedicated to supporting Roma.

Project Target Group

The project is focused on developing and strengthening the capacity of the association in the areas of internal processes, strategic planning, human resources, fundraising, marketing and PR. The project activities are focused on both a group of volunteers who participate in the activities of the association and a group of workers who will be employed by the project.

Project activities

The project focuses on four key areas of association development, which are addressed through two key project activities that will lead to their strengthening and at the same time to the fulfillment of the project objective:

• Key activity 1 NGO development: through the activity, a process of changes will be set up that will be directed towards the development of the organization in the areas of strategic planning, fundraising, marketing and PR, and human resources. This is a set of partial activities that will be targeted at the organization as a whole and will address the comprehensive and professional functioning of the organization as a whole. The project will strengthen personnel capacities that will focus on the main areas of development: the area of NGO development, volunteering, fundraising, the area of brand and the organization’s communication strategy.

• Key activity 2 Human resources development: an activity aimed at supporting the personal development of the association’s employees and at the same time supporting the association’s volunteers. The people involved (employees, volunteers) will be involved in education and development activities that will lead to the development of their competencies, which will ultimately lead to the development of the entire association.

The project is implemented within the framework of Call No. 03_24_073 – Capacity Building and Professionalization of Roma and Pro-Roma NGOs (2).

Every single project, every activity and every event that we have been involved in this year had one common goal – to contribute to positive change and improve the quality of life of the people we target. In this report, we would like to present all activities, successes and challenges in detail and provide you with a detailed overview of what we achieved in 2024.

Community work in Mojžíř and Předlice

Our community work has been one of the most important pillars of our activities for several years, which is why in 2024 we continued to intensively support communities in the localities of Mojžíř and Předlice. These areas, which are struggling with problems associated with social exclusion, are home to many families who face everyday challenges. In these communities, we managed to create a stable network of 34 volunteers who are actively involved in various activities aimed at improving the lives of local residents. In addition, we were joined by 4 more volunteers who are mainly dedicated to activities at the Vladimir Hotel, where we help Ukrainian refugees.

The main activities of our volunteers included, for example, regular cleaning of public spaces. These events not only contributed to a better appearance and hygiene of the local area, but also strengthened the sense of belonging and responsibility among residents. Another important initiative was the organization of football training for children, which not only developed their fitness and sports skills, but also strengthened team spirit and offered a safe space for fun and development. In addition to sports activities, we also prepared various competitions and other community events that supported interpersonal relationships and brought joy to the daily lives of residents.

We placed special emphasis on activities focused on education. Czech language teaching and leisure educational programs have proven to be a very effective tool for involving children and adults in the majority society. Thanks to financial support from the Via Foundation, we were able to purchase new equipment for our volunteers, which significantly facilitated their work. Based on cooperation with local residents, we also founded the association Pro lepší Mojžíř in Mojžíř, which focuses on long-term improvement of conditions in this location. This initiative was received with great enthusiasm and showed how important it is for the residents themselves to participate in changes in their own community.

Fighting discrimination and promoting equality

One of the key goals of our union is to fight discrimination and promote equal treatment of all groups of the population, regardless of their origin, ethnicity or social status. In 2024, we decided to focus not only on solving specific cases of discrimination, but also on preventive measures and awareness-raising activities. We organized several campaigns aimed at drawing attention to the problems of social exclusion and supporting dialogue between different groups of the population.

We placed special emphasis on activities focused on education. Czech language teaching and leisure educational programs have proven to be a very effective tool for involving children and adults in the majority society. Thanks to financial support from the Via Foundation, we were able to purchase new equipment for our volunteers, which significantly facilitated their work. Based on cooperation with local residents, we also founded the Pro lepší Mojžíř association in Mojžíř, which focuses on long-term improvement of conditions in this location. This initiative was received with great enthusiasm and showed how important it is for the residents themselves to participate in changes in their own community.

Fighting discrimination and promoting equality

One of the key goals of our union is to fight discrimination and promote equal treatment of all groups of the population, regardless of their origin, ethnicity or social status. In 2024, we decided to focus not only on solving specific cases of discrimination, but also on preventive measures and awareness-raising activities. We organized several campaigns aimed at raising awareness of social exclusion and promoting dialogue between different groups of the population.

One of the most successful projects was a series of workshops aimed at young people, who were introduced to the principles of equal treatment, tolerance and understanding. These events took place in schools and community centers with the aim of educating the younger generation about the importance of respect and solidarity. In addition, we participated in several regional and national initiatives aimed at improving the legislative framework for the protection of minority rights.

Children’s Days and Creative Competitions

We also achieved great success in organizing children’s days and creative competitions. These events were aimed not only at children, but also at adults, who could spend time with their children in a pleasant and inspiring atmosphere. Creative competitions in painting and other artistic disciplines supported the development of many children’s talents and at the same time contributed to strengthening community ties. These activities were particularly popular among families, who thanks to them spent more time together and established new relationships with other residents.

Helping seniors

One of our important priorities this year was also the care of seniors, who often struggle with loneliness and isolation. Our volunteers regularly visited seniors, helped them with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping or light cleaning, and above all, provided them with much-needed company. This activity is very important to us because we believe that every person deserves a dignified old age and the feeling that they are not alone.

Professionalization of the association and new projects

In February 2024, we applied for a grant to professionalize our organization from grant call 073. Thanks to the funds received, we were able to employ two part-time workers from October, who focus on developing fundraising, supporting volunteering, and increasing the visibility of our activities. This step was essential for us because it allowed us to better plan and coordinate our projects. In addition, we have created a new logo for our union that better reflects our values and mission. In cooperation with experts, we are also preparing a new website that will help us improve communication with the public and partners.

Sunday lunches for the poor and homeless

For the sixth year in a row, we have been cooking and distributing Sunday lunches for the poor and homeless. This tradition is a key pillar of our activities and provides assistance to those most in need.

Cooperation with the food bank

Thanks to our cooperation with the Food Bank Prague, we ensure the weekly delivery of fast-food to excluded locations, which significantly contributes to the fight against hunger and food waste.

Conclusion

2024 was an extremely challenging, but also very successful period for the Czechoslovak Roma Union. However, all of our activities would not be possible without the support of our volunteers, partners and donors. We thank everyone who participated in our work and look forward to another year full of new opportunities and challenges. Together we can continue to bring positive changes to the lives of many people.

Sincerely,

Czechoslovak Roma Union