About the programme

Why is the programme needed?

According to Eurostat, 41.4% of Romanians are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Out of 3.8 million Romanian children, some 8% are estimated to live in absolute poverty. While poverty and social exclusion affect all ethnicities, various studies and data clearly show that the Roma community are at a particular disadvantage. Surveys also indicate that the at-risk-of-poverty rate of Roma in Romania is almost three times higher than among neighbouring non-Roma. Many of the Roma people report discrimination because of their ethnic background. In the case of Roma children, the absolute poverty rate was over 35% at national level. Vulnerable groups' low coverage by integrated services at local level and poorer access to the job market remain key challenges in reducing poverty.

What will the programme achieve?

The overall aim of the programme is to address the challenges connected to poverty and social exclusion along three main axes: education and childhood development, job enablement and empowerment; and, more inclusive majority attitudes. Cutting across these issues, the programme aims to ensure that organisations have the capacity at a national, regional and local level to address these issues and do so in a joined-up 'integrated' way.

Who are the beneficiaries?

Projects will adapt to local conditions and target all relevant groups including: people at risk of poverty, Roma, children, young adults, the unemployed, public authorities at national, regional and local level, civil servants, and NGOs. Moreover, the programme aims at providing input to future policy developments and strategy processes at national level.

What are the programme's performance indicators?

The programme is focused on activities relating to poverty alleviation and social inclusion, including:

• Provision of integrated social services to 4800 children and their families
• Increase in pre-school enrolment and decrease in drop-out of Roma children from the education system
• Addressing the needs of a marginalised urban settlement in an integrated way
• Training of up to 30 social service professionals
• A national campaign on anti-discrimination
• A national system for mapping and monitoring the situation of Roma at local level

How will bilateral relations be strengthened?

A fund for bilateral relations has been set aside to finance activities that encourage cooperation between actors in Romania and Norway or intergovernmental organisations.