Social Justice for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (SORAE)


The second phase of SORAE will continue to support Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians (R/A/E) on achieving equal human and economic rights. A range of cross sectorial interventions on fighting discrimination, improving housing, increasing school enrolment and employment will improve R/A/E’s socio-economic inclusion – with special focus on children, youth and women.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Kosovo
Governance
Education
nothemedefined
Democratic participation and civil society
Education policy
01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025
CHF  2’900’000
Background Despite progress R/A/E remain a left behind community in Kosovo with limited access to education, health or employment services. R/A/E largely live in poor housing conditions, segregated in settlements and face multiple forms of discrimination. Lack of awareness and weak institutional capacities are an obstacle for addressing inequalities and discrimination. The situation of these communities has deteriorated further due to COVID-19 pandemic. A large part of R/A/E are unemployed and will face increasing poverty rates due to inflation and slower economic growth, while Kosovo’s social protection system remains ineffective and inadequate to protect the poor.
Objectives Progress toward a multi-ethnic and multicultural society in Kosovo has been achieved, where Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian people are treated as equals by the state and society, with access to the same opportunities as everyone else, and where Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian people know their rights and their responsibilities and are empowered to exercise those rights.
Target groups The main target group will continue to be R/A/E with particular focus on children, youth and women. At the organisational level, the project targets public institutions, private sector and civil society organisations.
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Policies and practices for social inclusion and equality are better integrated into the legal and institutional framework of Kosovo, their implementation improved and quality is monitored, so that they can positively impact the lives of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian people.

Outcome 2: Service providers, the media and civil society are more aware about and take action against antigypsyism and its manifestations, and Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian people, especially women, are empowered to report cases, take action and strengthen their trust in institutions.

Outcome 3: Integrated actions for social inclusion and equality improve the quality of life of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian people in Kosovo, and the barriers to their participation in economic, political and civic life are overcome, especially for youth and women.

Results

Expected results:  

1.1: Improved legal and institutional framework for addressing antigypsyism through policy dialogue, technical support and capacity building

1.3: The legal basis for settlement transformation, including legal security of tenure, is in place and applied

2.1: There is a strong social movement around antigypsyism

3.1: Young R/A/E jobseekers are offered pathways to decent employment opportunities

3.2: Young R/A/E women are enabled to take up employment and/or to actively participate in politics and civil society


Results from previous phases:  

  • In locations where SORAE is active with Learning Centres (LC), the primary school age attendance rate of R/A/E is higher by seven percentage points (p.p.), while for lower and upper secondary school is 22 and 51 p.p., respectively
  • 74% of the 540 public servants who participated in the training programme are able to identify antigypsyism in order to prevent and counter it;
  • 24 out of 33 Learning Centres (LCs) are licensed;
  • 88% of LCs are operated by municipalities, while 67% of them are co-financed by them
  • 303 R/A/E have found employment through the project
  • 33 Case Management Roundtables (CMRs) are able to function independently (fostering child protection).


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Private sector
  • Swiss Private Sector
  • HEKS/EPER, Voice of Roma, Ashkalis and Egyptians (VoRAE), Terre des hommes Switzerland (TdH)


Coordination with other projects and actors SDC Enhancing Youth Employment (EYE) and Democratic Society Promotion (DSP) project, EU Office in Kosovo, public institutions, local NGOs.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’900’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’350’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025   (Current phase) Phase 1 15.07.2020 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)