EU-ROMA is a project launching a European open confrontation on Roma housing issues and public space. It mobilises and cross-fertilises knowledge and experience from different domains like urban arts, architecture, humanities, sociology and human rights. EU-ROMA organises 3-targeted actions:

Action1 performance a detailed state-of-the-art analysis of Roma living housing conditions. It investigates the space appropriation process and the needs for a stronger Roma social integration through the living qualitative dimension. High quality information material on different factors that impede or improve Roma sites will be issued. Action1 includes mapping activities to study, record and classify Roma housing needs, settlements territorial distribution and typologies. The action results in the development of a multi-lingual database. Videos, interactive maps, digital and innovative artistic forms are to be used for awareness rising and presenting research results.

Action2 Four intensive workshops in 4 EU cities lasting 8 days each. The workshops aim to integrate, exchange and disseminate diverse knowledge on Roma social housing in EU, through inter-cultural dialogue and collaboration. They are targeted for young students who will be active proposers for a urban planning and social-housing policy shift towards participative modalities. Each Workshop includes field-research and hands-on activities in selected Roma locations. Designed to stimulate adaptive methodology promoting the removal of social barriers and experimentation in fostering new methods and approaches. Students must encourage participation and integration of Roma groups into public space development activities. So as to increase their understanding of the methodologies for developing social housing, creating a user-centric and sustainable perspective. Presentations and critics with Roma communities, civil society and policy makers are foreseen to create debate surrounding the potentials of new building techniques; innovative, functional, constructive, energy-saving solutions and social networking approach for stepping-up Roma inclusive living spaces and context-based interventions. EU-ROMA Workshops will result in producing concrete action plans and suggestions for retrofitting and upgrading Roma sites.

Action 3 research trip to Belgrade. Central Belgrade will be the scene for the construction of 2 improved shacks. Recycling and waste material will be used for create decent, adequate and affordable houses in the public space.

Outputs: best practice exchange, web site and database, demonstrative modular and flexible urban interventions, catalogue and handbooks, maps and events.
EU-ROMA Consortium reunifies 4 organisation from 4 different EU countries, of which 1 is a New Member,
Macedonia and Serbia, who will take part in several project activities.

More about the project: http://www.eu-roma.net/dblog/
download pdf (2360 KB): eu_roma_ project