Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

Roma children in South Eastern Europe experience significant gaps in the realization of their rights, compared to other groups of children. They are often born into impoverished households, and are at a severe disadvantage from the beginning. The first years are decisive about their future.

The project will address the multidimensional and multigenerational exclusion of young Roma children and other marginalized groups of children and their families, by improving access to high quality and inclusive Early Childhood Development (ECD), health, early learning and development services, and primary education in the targeted communities in Albania, Macedonia and Serbia.

UNICEF applies a human rights-based approach while working on removing system barriers faced by Roma children, by children from other minorities such as Ashkali and Egyptians, children from difficult socioeconomic background and children with disabilities.

Therefore, the project aims to give Roma children an equal start in life, by ensuring they and their families have access to quality basic services and support during their early years. This will increase their chances of achieving their highest potential and of having better success in school and in life in general. By working within existing structures, the initiative strengthens the capacity of duty bearers like ministries, municipalities and school and health institutions and provides concrete entry points for improved services for the most vulnerable groups of society. This approach should guarantee the sustainability of the concerted activities.