Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

Bucharest, September 2, 2014

Switzerland supports the social inclusion of Roma and other vulnerable groups through an innovative programme of 2 million Swiss francs designed to promote the creation of small and medium sized enterprises based on existing economic and social resources.

The launch of the Economic empowerment through entrepreneurship programme was opened by H.E. Jean-Hubert LEBET, Ambassador of Switzerland to Romania, and by Mrs Enikő LACZIKO, State Secretary at the Department for Interethnic Relations within the General Secretariat of the Romanian Government. Mr Thomas STAUFFER, Head of the Swiss Contribution Office for Romania moderated the event and presented the role of economic empowerment for social inclusion. From the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC Mr Thomas KRAJNIK, Programme manager for Romania, and Mr Mattia PORETTI, Regional advisor on social inclusion, attended the event.

In his opening address the Ambassador of Switzerland stated: „All too often Roma, but also other vulnerable groups, are excluded from participating in the formal economy and thus denied the important benefits associated with a recognised gainful activity. This exclusion, in many cases, is the result of past and present discrimination. Through the programme launched today we hope to counter stereotypes by concentrating not on weaknesses but on the existing economic and social resources.”

„The economic dimension of social exclusion at the level of Roma communities requires specific interventions. The Department for Interethnic Relations, as principal partner of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, is particularly interested in promoting the principles of good understanding, improving mutual understanding and good cohabitation at the level of multi-ethnic communities in which the projects funded within the programme will be implemented” said Mrs Enikő LACZIKO, State Secretary, Department for Interethnic Relations within the General Secretariat of the Government.

The Economic empowerment through entrepreneurship programme is funded through the Reform fund linked to the inclusion of Roma and other vulnerable groups (www.romainclusionfund.ro) as part of the Swiss-Romanian Cooperation Programme. It will support projects proposed by Romanian civil society organisations with a track-record of working successfully with Roma communities and promote income generating and/or entrepreneurial activities. Partnerships with other organisations and institutions, including public authorities, are encouraged. The final beneficiaries of the programme will be potential entrepreneurs belonging to the Roma minority and from other socio-economically disadvantaged communities.

Contact:

Cristi MIHALACHE

Team leader

E-mail: cristi.mihalache@romainclusionfund.ro

Tel: 0728 300 602

Programme Management Unit (PMU)

The Thematic Fund for the Inclusion of Roma and other Vulnerable Groups

Str. Paris no. 65, District 1, 011815, Bucharest

Tel: +40 21 230 00 40, Fax: +40 21 236 05 95

www.romainclusionfund.ro