April 06th, 2023, Bucharest
The Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania AIDRom and its partners, Novapolis Association – Centre for Analysis and Initiatives for Development, the Prefect’s Office of Caras-Severin County and the Prefect’s Office of Timis County marked the end of the project “EoM[1] – Solidarity and Inclusive Communities for Immigrants in Romania” with a concluding conference held on April 03, 2023, at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel in Bucharest.
During the event, representatives from AIDRom and project partners provided detailed information about the activities conducted throughout the 24-month project, as well as the indicators that were tracked. It was highlighted that the comprehensive activities carried out under the project allowed approximately 1500 young people and 110 teachers to directly interact with 22 migrants and 6 mediators through various activities such as awareness and information campaigns, working sessions with young people in schools, and public information and awareness-raising events held in 8 cities across the country. Additionally, the project facilitated the training of 43 teachers to include a human rights perspective and promote equal treatment for immigrants in their educational work.
Through the two training sessions organized within the project, 49 media representatives and authorities were able to enhance their communication skills, identify fake news, and learn how to carry out local information campaigns effectively. Furthermore, partnerships were established with public entities to promote best practices in the field of immigration management and the integration of immigrants in Romania.
”The project “EoM – Supportive and Inclusive Communities for Immigrants in Romania” involved a collaboration of partners working at the local community level, through which we managed to promote an attitude of acceptance, solidarity, and tolerance towards immigrants, provide support for the integration process, and encourage opportunities for interaction and collaboration between migrants and local community members. Through information and awareness-raising campaigns on immigration aimed at young people in schools, teachers, public authorities, and the media, the project contributed to demystifying prejudices about immigration and improving the integration process of migrants and refugees in Romania. We express our gratitude to all those involved, including partners, volunteers, funders, and participants who contributed to the achievement of the targeted objectives”, stated Dana Gavril, Project Manger, AIDRom.
The project, enabled the development of a study-analysis titled “Immigration and refugees in the public discourse of the media and social media in Romania. The research conducted by Monica Roman and Elena Prada and coordinated by Iris Alexe, is more valuable as it captures the situation in our country before the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine[2], thus providing a “T zero” for possible future comparative analysis.
”We are glad that the project “EoM – Supportive and Inclusive Communities for Immigrants in Romania” has brought a change in the local communities where we have been working. It has been a good way to share the stories of migrants in Romania and to bring us together, especially in such an important moment with the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.”, added Iris Alexe, President, The Novapolis Association.
At the conference, representatives from the General Inspectorate for Immigration, the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons (ANITP), ITPF Timișoara, the Faculty of Geography at the University of Bucharest, Ovidius University of Constanța, the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, and the Hands Across Association also gave speeches. They highlighted the challenges and opportunities regarding the integration of migrants and refugees in Romania.
An emotional and inspiring moment was the story told by Marina, a Ukrainian refugee, who is now helping other refugees to better integrate and who also shared her story with the young participants in the project’s infotainment meetings.
The project Eyes on Migrants (EoM) – Solidar and inclusive communities for immigrants in Romania implemented by the Ecumenical Association of Churches from Romania – AIDRom in partnership with the Novapolis Association – Center for Analysis and Initiatives for Development, the Prefect’s Institution of Caras-Severin County and the Prefect’s Institution of Timis County, under the Active Citizens Fund Romania, with the financial support of the Active Citizens Fund Romania, program funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants 2014-2021, from 7th of April 2022 to 6th of April 2023, benefited of total funding of 205.720 Euro.
The project aimed to promote active, multidimensional, and multisectoral involvement, as well as an attitude of acceptance, solidarity, and tolerance in protecting human rights and ensuring equal treatment of immigrants, especially asylum seekers and refugees, through cooperation at both local community levels and through awareness campaigns about immigration among children and young people in educational institutions in communities with high numbers of migrants.
About AIDRom
AIDRom (Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania) was established in 1991 as a joint effort of the Churches present in the country: the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Reformed Church and the Lutheran Church, in cooperation with Unit IV (Communion and Ministry) of the World Council of Churches. In 1993 it acquired legal status, and in 1994 two new members joined: Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Presbyterian Church and the Armenian Orthodox Church. AIDRom developed steadily and soon became a national platform for ecumenical dialogue and collaboration of the Churches in Romania. At the same time, it continued to function as a development agency, processing projects aimed at improving both formal and informal education systems, the social-economic and moral-spiritual situation in the country, as well as environmental protection. AIDRom promotes the inclusion of marginalized people, contributes to the social reintegration of people at high risk, ensures equal opportunities and fights against human trafficking and discrimination. It offers assistance to refugees and migrants who want to integrate in Romania and has an emergency response in case of disasters. Through its actions, AIDRom strengthens ecumenical and inter-ethnic cooperation for peace and stability to alleviate segregation in multi-ethnic communities and to ensure respect for human rights. The Multifunctional Counselling Centers for People at Risk, as well as the Accommodation Centers, developed by AIDRom in Bucharest, Iasi and Timisoara, aim at counselling and assisting people in need, refugees and migrants.
You can find out more about the work of AIDRom by visiting the website: www.aidrom.ro/?lang=en
About PARTNERS
The Novapolis Association – Center for Analysis and Development Initiatives aims to contribute to a democratic, inclusive and diverse society that is economically and socially balanced, capable to respond to everyone’s needs. Its mission is to uphold and promote democratic values, models and interventions for the development of a society based on freedom, responsibility and respect.
You can find out more about the work of AIDRom by visiting the website: https://novapolis.ro/en/
The Prefect’s Institution of Caraş-Severin County operates according to Law no. 340/2004 on the prefect and the institution of the prefect updated and republished in OJ 658/2004, chapter III, the attributions of the prefect and GD no. 460/2006 for the application of some provisions of Law no. 340/2004, with subsequent amendments, published in OJ 363/2006. Find more info by visiting the website: Instituția Prefectului – JUDEȚUL CARAȘ-SEVERIN (gov.ro)
The Prefect’s Institution of Timiș County operates according to Law no. 340/2004 on the prefect and the institution of the prefect updated and republished in OJ 658/2004, chapter III, the attributions of the prefect and GD no. 460/2006 for the application of some provisions of Law no. 340/2004, with subsequent amendments, published in OJ 363/2006. Find more info by visiting the website: Instituția Prefectului – JUDEȚUL TIMIȘ (gov.ro)
About ACTIVE CITIZENS FUND ROMANIA PROGRAM
The Active Citizens Fund Romania program is funded by EEA Grants 2014-2021. The general objective of the Grants is to reduce economic and social disparities and strengthen bilateral relations between the 15 beneficiary countries and the donor countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). The program is administered by the consortium composed of the Civil Society Development Foundation, the Partnership Foundation, the Resource Centre for Roma Communities, the PACT Foundation and Frivillighet Norge, which acts as the Fund Operator designated by the FMO – Office of the EEA and Norwegian Grants Financial Mechanism. Active Citizens Fund Romania aims to strengthen civil society and active citizenship and increase the capacity of vulnerable groups. With a total allocation of €46,000,000, the program aims to develop the long-term sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector, enhancing its role in promoting democratic participation, active citizenship and human rights while strengthening bilateral relations with the donor states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. For more information about the Active Citizens Fund in Romania, please visit www.activecitizensfund.ro. More info about SEE and Norwegian Grant, visit: www.eeagrants.org.
Working together for a green, competitive and inclusive Europe!
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Contact: relatiipublice@aidrom.ro | asociatianovapolis@gmail.com.
[1] Eyes on Migrants.
[2] Research conducted between June 2021-January 2022, which aimed to analyze the narratives and the way information and news are provided in public and online communication in Romania in the last 7 years regarding migration, refugees, migrants and the process of integration of immigrants in Romanian society.
