MINELRES: Fwd: Roma Information Project - Update

[MINELRES moderator]

Original sender: Roma Network <romale@zahav.net.il> 


Dear friends,

We are very happy to inform you that since February 2004 we, the team of
young Roma eRiders (advocacy and technology consultants to NGOs) are
officially registered as independent non governmental organization in
Bulgaria.

Our mission is to provide technological support and communication
assistance to Roma non governmental organizations, to enhance their
efficiency and maximize their impact on local, national and
international policies. Our vision is to provide Roma non governmental
organizations with long term, comprehensive and up-to-date technology
and management assistance and training to help them achieve their goals.

The Roma Information Project began its work in November 2002. During
2003 the project team has worked in six countries in Central, Eastern
and Southeastern Europe: Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech
and Slovakia and served over 55 non governmental organizations, 14
networks and 250 Roma activists.

REGIONAL WORK

Since July 2003 members of the RIP team have been working on the Decade
of Roma Inclusion � an initiative supported by the World Bank and OSI.
Miro, Gabi, Maria and Gyula are members of their countries delegations
providing input and working on developing country strategies for the
Decade. They have worked as informal information officers on the
delegations � translating materials, arranging meetings, setting up
discussion lists and encouraging the use of ICTs by the delegations. In
November 2003 Gyula and Gabi traveled to the US as part of a study trip
of young Roma leaders who came to prepare for the Decade. In February
2004 part the team � Gabi Hrabanova, Maria Metodieva and Gyula Vamosi
participated in a follow up working meeting on the Decade, held in
Budapest.

On the 26th.of February 2004 other member of the team � Norica Costache
participated in an online discussion, organized by Transitions Online
with OSCE/ODIHR on Roma issues: overcoming the discrimination towards
Roma, ending the practice of segregation, health issues and giving
greater voice for Roma women.

Activities by country

HUNGARY � Gyula � gyulavamosi@riptech.org  

* The Hungarian eRider has participated in the preparation of a workshop
�Learn and Work' Program, 8 grades for the survivors, for Roma by Roma�,
organized by Savorrengi Roma Parental Org and VAG Org;

* Assisting ARANJ � Hungarian Roma women�s organization � for conducting
a national media campaign on Roma women;

* Assisting Roma NGO in preparing PHARE proposals � on employment and
pre-school education for the Roma community of Pec, Hungary

* The Hungarian eRider is helping the Gypsy Integration Council to
improve their communication and use more updated tools for achieving
their main goals

* The eRider has also been assisting REN � a Roma community center � to
prepare and submit their report on PHARE project

The Czech Republic � Galbi � gabinahrabanova@riptech.org 

* The Czech eRider has participated in the organizing the Khamoro -
�Rising Roma Generation and It�s Visions� � The World Roma festival
Khamoro. This festival is annual event, held in Prague, Czech Republic;

* The eRider has also assisted two Roma non governmental organization in
preparing and submitting project proposal � Upre Roma�

* The Czech eRider is also moderating two e-groups: national delegation,
working on Roma Decade of Inclusion and Terne Roma

* The eRider has assisted Dzeno an Roma NGO for drafting a project
proposal and fundraising for the issue of Romani magazine called �Amaro
Jendalos� This project has been funded by RPP and the World Bank

* Took part in the establishment of Roma NGO coalition a joint activity
with the municipality of Prague

* The Czech eRider is currently serving as an advisor to Partners for
Democratic Change � Prague as they implement projects aimed at building
the capacity of Roma civil society in the region.

SLOVAKIA � Miro - miroslavolah@riptech.org 

* The Slovakian eRider has been working on the website development of
several Roma non governmental organization, working in Slovak Republic:
Project Schola, Roma Press Agency � Kosice

* The eRider took part in a workshop for improving capacity of
marginalized communities organized by Amen o Roma, directed at
networking, online tools for communication.

* Together with Gabi Hrabanova, the Czech eRider, they are working on
supporting Roma Press Agency in Slovakia in fundraising and to secure an
intern to work with them during the summer.

* The Slovak eRider is also supporting technically the Roma women club
in Rimavska Sobota

ROMANIA � Nora � noracostache@riptech.org 

* The Romanian eRider has worked on the website development with Miro
Olah of a Roma non governmental organization � OPRE, based in Romania

* The Romanian eRider has also participated at a meeting of the European
Roma Forum

* The eRider has also worked with Roma Alliance from Gallati for
including more Roma women in the local elections in Romania

* The Romanian eRider is also working on the improvement of the Romani
Criss website

* Nora is also working with Eurocatia 2000+ � an NGO in Romania that
conduct trainings for the teachers and the parents of Romani school in
Glina, a village in Romania.

BULGARIA - Maria � mariametodieva@riptech.org 

* The Bulgarian eRider took part in International meeting of Global
eRiders � held February 2004 in Istanbul;

* The eRider is also working in cooperation with Miro Olah on website
development for one of the target groups she is working in Bulgaria �
�Romani Baht� Foundation;

* The Bulgarian eRider is also moderating an e-group for the Bulgarian
Delegation part of the Roma Decade of Inclusion

* Maria is also working with several national and international non �
governmental organizations for establishing long � term partnerships
with RIP such as Partners for Democratic change � Bulgaria and European
Roma Information Office on issues like employment, migration and
trafficking.

Please, be in contact with us if you are interested in a partnership or
collaboration with the Roma Information Project!

We can be reached at: eriders@riptech.org 

Best regards,

Maria Metodieva,

E-rider for Bulgaria

Roma Information Project Association
www.riptech.org 
mariametodieva@riptech.org 
Phone: + 359 8 87 50 72 92
Fax: + 3592 975 46 14