Narrative Report 2004

In 2004 Autonómia Foundation's main programs were the following:
- EQUAL program ’For improving the labour market situation of the Roma population of the Hernád Valley’
- Employment without prejudice in Tolna County
- Roma agricultural development program
- Possibilities of alternative energy usage in a disadvantaged region
- Capacity development of Roma non-governmental organizations

EQUAL program ’For improving the labour market situation of the Roma population of the Hernád Valley’, by the director of the Development Association

In 2004, the main activity of the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance was to implement the development program of the Roma population of the Hernád Valley with the support of the Phare-EQUAL program.
Reasonability and background of the program

Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County is situated in the north-eastern region of Hungary, and, in economic terms, is one of the most underdeveloped regions of Hungary. In the early nineties, the closure of large industrial companies made a substantial number of employees redundant, and only few jobs were created instead. The proportion of Roma people far exceeds the national average (10.8%), nearly 20-25% of Hungary’s Roma population lives in this region .

The closer target region of the project, that is, the micro-region of Encs has a typical structure made up of small villages. 36 of the region’s 55 settlements have a population of fewer than 500. The micro-region has a mixed economy: it is characterized by arable land, however, a majority of the population used to work in the industrial sector before the economic changes. A substantial part of agricultural cooperatives were dissolved, the land parcels formerly owned by the cooperative were privatized, so the jobs in the cooperatives were lost. The number of residents of the micro-region of Encs is a little over 36,000, and, in economic terms, the number of active workers is 8558, that is, 23% of the population are officially employed. (The average national index is 39%). The rate of unemployment in the micro-region of Encs is 33.8%, and, according to the data provided by the employment centre, 80% of the registered unemployed people are permanently unemployed. 10.3% of the registered unemployed people have not completed the 8 elementary classes, and the highest level of education of 35.9% of them is the elementary school. This micro-region is one of those where people are the most undereducated: the local population completed an average of 7.8 school years, that is, are below the basic level of education. According to estimates, there are some 20,000 people, who are completely excluded from the labour market, that is, they have absolutely no contact with employment organizations and are not registered anywhere. Since there are few jobs available even for those, who have just left school and become active workers, the local Roma communities have a serious lack of motivation.

For most of the local Roma the only means of living are social benefits and allowances, as well as temporary or black work. As the number of vacancies is neglectable in the micro-region, (there are a total of about 1000 registered business organizations operating in the micro-region), they can only find jobs in more distant locations of the county and the country. The secondary labour market is only available for those who have completed at least the elementary school. The others belong to the aforementioned group of 20,000, for whom no labour market program, support or opportunity is available.

The primary goal of the project was to help the Roma population of the micro-region of Encs reintegrate into the labour market, create and develop the conditions necessary for the permanent employment of the Roma minority, as well as to prevent and eliminate their ethnic discrimination. Basically, the program focused on three settlements (Korlát, Méra és Vizsoly), however, through the participants and workers of the program, it involved nearly 20 local settlements.

The Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance has been supporting agricultural and labour market programs in the said micro-region for years, which were successfully implemented by the local Roma organizations.. This has led to the development of a stable and fruitful cooperation between Autonómia and the partner organizations, and, on the other hand, to the establishment of exemplary grassroots, income-generating initiatives, which could further be developed in both organizational and economic terms. Most financing programs begin with a local survey of needs, which is less formal in the case of basic programs, while in the case of development programs it takes place with a formal questionnaire. By completing this questionnaire, the applying Roma organizations get a structured and thematic view of the local labour market, the most important community needs, the opportunities offered by the main employers, as well as the training and employment programs already available in the region. (To collect data we need the help of the local governments, employment centres and educational institutions). The organizations plan their own programs on the basis of the collected information. This is coupled with the professional assistance and regular monitoring provided by the Foundation. As a result of the above, the surveys have already been completed in the above-mentioned settlements in the planning stage of the program. The grant application summarizes these needs and opportunities.

In order to implement the program, the following organizations set up the Development Association of the Hernád Valley in 2002: Autonómia Foundation, Phralipe Independent Roma Organization of Korlát, Lungo Drom National Roma Advocacy and Civil Association, Member Organization in Méra, Phralipe Independent Roma Organization of Vizsoly, Andrássy Gyula Technical High School, Miskolc, Road Constructions Trading and Services of Borsod – Limited Partnership, Boldogkőújfalu, SEED Small Enterprise Development Foundation, Budapest, Fü-Ta-Ka Kft. Encs

The main scope of activities of the project

The project was planned to focus on three main activities:

 The organization and implementation of training courses, as well as a block for farming and gaining working experience based on the revealed local educational and employment needs.

 Increasing the community and organization development and project management skills of Roma communities, as well as their potential to enforce their economic interests,

 Strengthening the labour market role – in the widest sense – of Roma organizations, setting up a formal framework for the flow of information among local labour market actors, including the establishment and operation of a Roma labour market consulting network, as well as the establishment of a Roma Employment Roundtable.

These three activities are closely related to each other, as they do not “merely” give an answer to local requirements, but by acquiring the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for the implementation of labour market programs and establishing the relevant (formal and informal) organizational structure, these programs can be developed to run continuously. Another key aspect was to assure the integrity and complexity of the project elements, because this increased the motivations of both the organizations and the individuals forming the target group of the project.

Training programs

Basic training
Those people who lack elementary education can only appear on the primary labour market as temporary or black workers, since as unskilled workforce they have no opportunity to find official employment. Due to their lack of education they cannot take part in the training or re-training programs organized by employment centres either, because their basic requirement is the completion of elementary school. The elementary schools of the region – referring to a lack of resources – do not hold any training courses for adults, so those who wish to obtain the certificate of elementary education can only resort to locations far from their home and only on an occasional basis. In this latter case, however, education is made practically impossible by the high costs of travel. Giving an opportunity to obtain the certificate of elementary education in the framework of a complex adult training and employment project is of vital importance also because it makes state-financed labour market means available for the participants, that is, it enables them to be trained.
The need for elementary education was further proved by the fact that a rather high number of people applied for the course. The timing and the budget of the program allowed for the completion of the 7th and 8th grade only, although in the case of many applicants there would have been a need for the completion of even more classes. Eventually, 24 people successfully completed the training course. Unfortunately, it was this program element, providing the certificate of elementary education, where the most people dropped out (some 10 people), which can be explained by the considerable lack of motivation of the young participants. The employment centre now plans to launch a similar training program, which also proves the significance of this project.

Data of the program element:

Participants: 24
Partners: Rákóczi Zsigmond Elementary School, Vizsoly
Phralipe Member Organization of Vizsoly
Vocational training

In planning training courses providing an OKJ qualification we took local needs and opportunities, as well as the expected short and long term economic development plans into consideration. These include the building of cold-storage houses and the planned construction of the M3 highway towards Slovakia, as they provide jobs for light and heavy machine operators. The human development of already operating forestry enterprises formed the other branch of training courses, which enable the successful trainees to find long-term jobs. Women were the target group of another planned profession: based on the needs revealed by the Roma organizations we organized a florist course. The results of the survey also showed a demand for shop assistant training, which we managed to implement by rearranging our budget and using our reserves.

The courses were completed with few drop-outs (one person had to discontinue the course for health reasons), which was owing to the fact that both the timing and the venues of the courses were planned with utmost flexibility. The courses were always held in one of the small settlements, which meant that the trainees could reach the locations with relatively short travels. True enough, the radial arrangement of local transport required substantial logistic efforts from the part of the Roma organizations, in some cases the organization leaders drove the participants to the venues. The training organizations and institutions always took the needs of the trainees into account and planned the schedules accordingly. One of the key aspects was to avoid too lengthy courses, as the “calculability” of the duration of the program was a significant motivation factor for participants. On the other hand, it was important to organize the training on a seasonal basis, that is, the courses should be held in the winter and early spring months, so they would not coincide with the time of agricultural works.

The vocational training courses were carried out by the Andrássy Gyula Technical High School of Miskolc as well as the Educational Centre of the Industrial Association of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County. The accredited curricula of the courses were provided by the training institutions, which also took care of the preliminary medical and aptitude tests of the participants as well as the final exams.

The practical scenes of the training courses were make available by the local governments and the members of the Development Association.

The following vocational training courses were implemented in the framework of the program:

Heavy machine operator training
Participants: 20
Partners: Andrássy Gyula Technical High School, Miskolc
Lungo Drom Member Organization of Méra
FÜ-TA-KA Kft, Encs

Lumbering course
Participants: 19
Partners: Andrássy Gyula Technical High School, Miskolc
Phralipe Member Organization of Vizsoly

Florist training
Participants: 14
Partners: Educational Centre of the Industrial Association of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County
Phralipe Member Organization of Korlát

Motor-saw operator training
Participants: 15
Partners: Andrássy Gyula Technical High School, Miskolc
Rom Som Foundation, Tomor

Light and heavy machine operator training
Participants: 20
Partners: Andrássy Gyula Technical High School, Miskolc
Phralipe Member Organization of Korlát

Shop assistant training
Participants: 16
Partners: Andrássy Gyula Technical High School, Miskolc
Phralipe Member Organization of Vizsoly
Roma Labour Market referees

A key part of the program was to set up and operate a Roma employment consulting network. This element of the project provided training for organization leaders and activists, who had already been taking roles in the life of the local community, and who became able to give effective professional assistance in the organization and implementation of labour market programs.

The training, held with 10 participants, included the following blocks:
 ECDL computer operation,
 Administration,
 Communication and customer service,
 Community development,
 The basics of law,
 The basics of social-politics,
 The basics of social sciences
 The basics of the labour market

At the end of the training course the participants took an exam, as a result of which they all obtained the ECDL certificate.

Eight of the trainees were employed by Autonómia as labour market referees for one year. Their job was to establish an efficient liaison between the local employment offices, the local employers and entrepreneurs and the Roma communities. On the one hand, they had to collect information on the available opportunities and report these to the unemployed people, and, on the other hand, they had to reveal the training and employment needs of the Roma communities. Their work began with a data collection by means of a questionnaire, which found out the labour market situation, training and employment “background” and expectations of the – primarily Roma – population of 8 small settlements. After analysing the results of the survey they could initiate training programs at the local employment offices.

Owing to the work of the referees, an active relationship was developed between the local employment centres and the Roma organizations and communities.

Both the referees and the Roma organizations continuously monitored the currently available grant application opportunities, and they submitted their proposals to several ones, the most popular being the programs of the National Development Plan, the Application-preparation Fund, GYISM, Soros Foundation and MACIKA.

Employment program element

At the planning stage of the project, the employment program element was built on three pillars:

a.) partners of the Development Association operating as business organizations;
b.) other organizations of the primary labour market, and
c.) Roma organizations running community-based economic programs.

Unfortunately, the business organizations involved in the Development Association could only fulfil a part of the employment tasks they had undertook earlier, which was mainly due to external reasons (the enterprises could not develop at the planned rate). At the same time, these business organizations could successfully take part in the practical training and job-creating block.

In order to involve the actors of primary labour market, we established the Roma Labour Market Roundtable in the framework of the program. The Roundtable provided a forum where local entrepreneurs, employers and trainees just completing the courses could meet. The popularity of these meetings was proven by the fact that each event was attended by some 50-60 participants, and, in addition to potential jobs, financing opportunities were also discussed.

14 people found employment in the primary labour market without any further wage-subsidy, which shows that the planned and implemented training courses were really useful.

In the employment program block, the role of Roma organizations was greater than expected, as they employ the highest number of trainees in forestry works. Their work was made more difficult by two factors: the delay in the acquisition of forestry machines subject to public procurement and in the allocation of wage-subsidies. The arising problems had finally been solved by January 2004, that is, when the employment program element was begun. The main employers in the program are those Roma organizations and business organizations, which are also members of the Development Association. In order to ensure the financial management of wage-subsidies, the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance signed a contract with the employer organizations and allocated the amounts available for wage-subsidies. The number of participants employed by the Roma organizations and the business organizations was 23. Most of them have been working in the framework of continuous employment, while 3 people have been employed on the basis of a temporary work certificate.

Other courses and trainings

The program enabled the organizations to develop in various aspects. On the one hand, in the project management training held by CO-OD Bt the organizations could learn the basics of project planning and management and the opportunities to use their internal resources.

Organizations engaged in community farming and business activities attended enterprise development courses organized by the SEED Small Enterprise Development Foundation. The training was also open to local people with business ambitions.

Both the Roma organizations and the labour market referees permanently monitored the currently available financing programs. The colleagues of Autonómia contributed to the elaboration of proposals with continuous project planning and proposal writing training courses.

Other related programs

Three of the Roma organizations participating in the project (Lungo Drom – Méra, Phralipe – Korlát, Lungo Drom – Szalaszend) could start new programs as a result of the survey carried out as part of the EQUAL program. (The survey included an energy-audit, which examined the energy use and deficiencies of Roma households.) With the help of a grant won from Soros Foundation, Lungo Drom installs glass windows in the Roma houses of the neighbouring villages, while the organization in Szalaszend builds energy-efficient fireplaces. (As a matter of fact, one of the most regrettable results of the survey was that nearly 90% of the Roma households ‘heat the streets’, there is no glass in the windows and doors, only a foil, or there are no windows at all, the heating systems were already out of date when they were installed, etc.). The Phralipe Member Organization of Korlát could purchase a logging machine with the support of UNDP, with which they can process the wood left over from forestry works – and formerly burnt in the forest – to a level that it is available for use by families in need of firewood. (It is all accomplished with the assistance of the forestry organizations and local governments).

Purchase of equipment

The EQUAL program enabled local Roma organizations to purchase smaller and larger equipment to help their work. The Development Association bought the following equipment in the framework of this program:

• 10 computers with printers, these are currently used by the referees and will be transferred to the possession of the Lungo Drom Member Organization of Méra at the end of the program,
• 1 second-hand LKT (forestry machine) – it is currently used by the Phralipe Member Organization of Korlát and will become the property of the organization at the end of the program;
• 7 motor saws – currently used by the Phralipe Member Organization of Vizsoly and will become the property of the organization at the end of the program.

International cooperation

In the framework of the EQUAL program, all Development Associations had the opportunity to find international partners and enter into international collaboration agreements. In this project, the Development Association of “Hernád Valley” could join an international partnership called FACETS. The FACETS partnership was established by English, Danish, Portuguese, Italian, German and Austrian development associations with the key purpose of learning and adopting various anti-discrimination practices applied in the labour market environment.
In this program part the staff of the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance continuously attended the meetings of the work group of this international partnership. In the summer of 2003, the of representatives of one of the Portuguese partner organizations (TERRAS DENTRO- Associaçăo para o Desenvolvimento Integrado de Micro-Regiőes Rura ) taking part in the collaboration visited the program in Borsod. The leaders of the Roma organizations were given the opportunity to return the visit in Alentejo in February 2004. In the course of their visit they became familiar with the European Union programs managed by the host organization (LEADER, EQUAL), and met the local Roma communities. In May 2004, the Roma referees working in the program took part in a study trip in London. They mainly visited labour market programs and organizations carrying out such programs, and they studied the opportunities and responsibilities set forth in the Ethnic and Minority Laws in force in Great Britain as well as the civil monitoring of such laws.

The national and international recognition of the program is proved by the fact that it was included in the Pink Book, which contains the most promising projects of the EQUAL program. Also, in February, 2005, it was introduced at the EQUAL dissemination conference organized by the European Commission in Warsaw under the title ‘Free Movement of Good Ideas’.

The key methodological elements of the project

The complexity of the program made it possible for the training and employment sub-programs to be actually built on one another. This means that the program is based on real local needs and opportunities. This should be highlighted also from the aspect of sustainability. In addition, complexity gives an opportunity for the different groups of unemployed Roma (irrespective of their level of education, age and sex) to become beneficiaries of the program, as it does not merely give a limited solution to the severe employment problems of the micro-region. We hope that this complexity – the diversity of available employment projects – will decrease the number of drop-outs, because individual mobility and career options will be possible within the program.

The involvement of the target group and their organizations in planning and actual implementation is one of the most vital elements of the program. Already in the very first stage of the program, we expected the Roma organizations operating in the region to participate. The Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance has a working relationship with these organizations for years. Our partnership was successfully manifested through the implementation of the economic projects they had envisaged and planned. In our opinion, only those employment projects and activities can be efficient, which were elaborated in this way, with the full involvement of the local Roma population.

Inter-related sub-programs and levels characterize our programs. Our Foundation has been working in this system for years, proving that only the appropriately prepared project organizations are suitable for efficient implementation. This, however, requires a clearly and transparently formulated framework, offering an opportunity for further development, as well as training and development panels. This method reduces the risks of the projects, develops stronger and more stable project organizations, plans projects on the basis of real local needs (not on assumed expectations created by the funders’ logics), and gives rise to a close, but fully reliable partnership between the funders and the beneficiaries.

The program relies entirely on local resources. The training courses, the consulting network, and even the initial information collection are based on skills and human resources available in the micro-region. The Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance only provides a framework for the program and motivates the project organization. It is the local population that adds the content and operation of the project. The advantage of this is that they feel the program is theirs.

Other funders of the program:

• Rákóczi Zsigmond Elementary School of Vizsoly,
• Local Government of Korlát,
• Local Government of Méra,
• Local Government of Vizsoly,
• Public Foundation for Improving the Social Situation of the Town of Encs
• Employment Centre of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Unit of Encs
• Forestry Board of Északerdő Rt., Tállya

Summarized data

Training program
Training courses Number of participants
Basic training (classes 7-8) 24
Referee training (ECDL) 10
Heavy machine operator training 20
Lumbering course 19
Florist training 14
Motor saw operator training 15
Light and heavy machine operator training 20
Shop assistant training 16
Total: 138

Enterprise development training 20
Organization development, project management training 15

Employment program

Participants employed in the primary labour market: 14
Participants attending training courses with further wage-subsidies: 15
Wage-subsidized participants: 31
Total: 60


Wage-subsidies in detail:

Employer Employees Job
Autonómia Alapítvány 8 Labour market referee
Phralipe Korlát 8 Forestry worker
Lungo Drom Szalaszend 5 Fireplace builder
Borsodút Co. 5 Forestry worker
Phralipe Vizsoly* 5 Forestry worker
Total 31

* 2 persons employed on a temporary basis until April 2004 and as full-time employees from May 2004.

Financial data of the program:

Expenses Amount in €
Project manager’s wage 4 149,4
Project manager’s wage 26 141,0
Project assistant’s wage (1) 7 842,2
Project assistant’s wage (2) 7 842,2
Wages of Roma organization leaders 18 831,9
Wages of Roma referees 29 875,5
Award and wage subsidy 25 645,1
Accountant 3 883,9
Office manager’s wage 4 854,6
Public procurement advisor 1 615,2
Daily monitoring fees of project assistants 7 468,9
Total personnel expenses 138 150,1

Monitoring-related travel 4 737,4
Training-related travel 7 608,5
Travel costs of Roma referees 4 481,4
Travel costs of Roma org.s 2 240,7
Total travel costs 19 068,0

Second-hand LKT 15 633,4
PC and printer 11 942,3
Motor fell-saw (64”) 1 956,7
Motor logging saw (36”) 1 956,7
Protective equipment 2 074,7
Total cost of materials: 33 563,8

Publications 4 149,4
Studies, surveys 8 298,8
Auditing 1 244,8
Self-evaluation costs 6 224,3
Translation 6 224,1
Bank charges 448,2
Costs of conferences, seminars 2 074,7
Accommodation 1 274,2
Rents (training, FT seats) 2 489,6
Total other costs: 32 428,1

Basic training 8 126,8
Vocational training 72 616,9
Project management training 8 329,2
Enterprise development training 6 268,9
Roma referee training 7 575,5
Total other costs: 102 917,3
Total direct project costs: 326 127,2
Administration costs 21 561,3
Extraordinary expenses 12 625,8
Costs of trans-national cooperation 53 000,0

Total 413 314,4

Employment without prejudice in Tolna County

Number of financing agreement: HU2002/000-315.01.02.02.-9

Partner organizations:
1. Main applicant: Autonómia Foundation
2. Local Government of Magyarkeszi
3. Independent Roma Association of Bonyhád
4. Roma Association of Kajdacs

Total project cost: 111 929.60 (EUR)
Grant requested: 92 620.60 (EUR)
Duration of the project: 13 months
Start of the project: 8th July, 2004
Location: Microregions of Tamási, Paks and Bonyhád, settlements: Szekszárd, Bonyhád, Kisvejke, Varalja, Aparhant, Mórágy, Kajdacs, Tengelic, Kölesd, Magyarkeszi, Nagyszokoly

Reasonability and background of the program

In our experience, one of the main obstacles to the employment of Roma people is that the employers are not sufficiently informed of the employees’ financial and socio-cultural situation, and they try to fill in this gap with a prejudiced attitude. For example, some employers accept the assertion that the bad labour market status of the Roma can be explained with subjective reasons (e.g. their own laziness). This is a cul-de-sac, as employers are only willing to hire efficient workforce.

Our project offers two types of solutions for this trap situation: to establish communication between participants (in this case the labour market actors) of the Roma and non-Roma society (labour market referees, workshops), enable them to get to know each other, and disseminate the experiences that contradict with the prejudices (Study trips and Publications).

Reduction of labour market discrimination in the involved settlements
The fight against labour market discrimination is a challenge, because discrimination itself is rarely manifested in a clear and provable manner. In most cases, the employee or job-seeker is not directly rejected with reference to his/her origin, but other, less assailable reasons are presented (the job is not vacant any more, the employer cannot provide any travel allowance, etc.). However, surveys have evidenced that the real reason behind such rejection is the origin of the concerned person.

Another problem in the struggle against discrimination is that a significant number of Roma people living in Hungary do not even get to a discriminative situation. Generally, discrimination assumes that a distinction is made between the Roma and non-Roma based on their origin, that is, both groups get to a point where such distinction is made. Unfortunately, a majority of Roma people do not even get to the point where their job application is rejected in favour of a non-Roma applicant, because they basically lack the qualifications and work experience required for the given job. As a paradox, the first stage of an anti-discrimination labour market project should be that Roma people are given the possibility to get to a discriminative situation.
This latent discrimination described above may be efficiently resolved by 1. building a network of labour market referees; 2. establishing a local labour market register; 3. developing the individual competence of employees (and job-seekers); 4. ensuring continuous contact and mediation between employees and employers.
With the involvement of Roma referees, employers formerly reluctant to employ Roma people become more open, and the network of referees enable employers and employees to develop efficient forms of communicati
on and conflict management. A further merit of the referee network is that it is able to extend the sphere of employers by disseminating positive examples within and beyond the project.

Direct goal

To establish direct communication between employers and employees by setting up a network of Roma referees
In its former employment projects (Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, EQUAL), the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance made successful attempts at improving and completing the system of labour market assistants already operating in the region. We prepared the Roma referees, selected from small settlements based on strict criteria, for their future job in the form of training courses on the legal background of labour issues, communication trainings and study trips. We set up a network with the involvement of five villages, where the referees have an opportunity to take joint action, exchange data and organize joint employment projects. In this network, each referee was given the task to visit the employers operating in and around their settlements and continue to keep in touch with them.

One of the most important elements of their activity is to create a database (labour register), fill in the relevant data and update them from time to time (Autonómia gives them professional assistance in this work). This system provides access to up-to-date information on the needs of both employers and employees, enabling the referees to plan their mediation activity between Roma employees and employers hiring Roma people.
An important benefit of this system is that after it is set up, the referees enjoy a high level of independence, which makes them more genuine when they act before the local Roma community. Obviously, their origin helps them understand the problems of Roma people excluded from the labour market, while they are more successful in mediating the employers’ interests towards them.

Presentation of successful Roma employment projects – job mediation
Although there are plenty of successful projects employing Roma people, Hungarian employers do not know of them. By presenting such projects, prejudices leading to labour market discrimination can be replaced by a more tolerant and open attitude.

We do not mean to show these projects as some sort of exotic initiatives, but we would like to provide an opportunity to draw conclusions from the experience (both positive and negative).
No referee network, mediation or open employer attitude can be successful in itself. Without tolerance, employers will not become partners with the referees In fact, without the referees’ ‘assistance’, impatient employers expecting similar (or even higher) work performance will find their former animosity – fed by prejudices – regarding the employment of Roma people justified.

Organization of employment roundtables (workshops) between Roma communities and employers
The roundtable discussions organized on a monthly basis in the project (and the related workshops) are attended by the referees, the employers they invite and the experts of the county employment centre. These occasions provide an opportunity for the exchange of experience and the composition of recommendations.. These recommendations may be integrated into the county’s employment strategy, thus enabling the employers and Roma communities to directly take part in planning the forms of support.
The simplest, yet greatest achievement of roundtables is that it provides regular communication between actors of the labour market with a common object in view.

Publications addressed to employers and employees

The primary target group of the project comprise the enterprises operating in the microregions listed above. The publications are particularly meant for this group:
– Employer newsletter (every two months): opportunities for grant applications, financing, reports on successful initiatives, regional development plans.
– Project-documentation (brochure, website): to show the results of the project outside the county
– Film (on the work of the referees, on project visits and for educational purposes).

Activities in 2004

We held 9 employment roundtables with the participation of mayors, employment centres, local employers and potential employees.

18 people successfully completed the ECDL training. Another 10 people completed the course and passed the exams on labour law, sociology, project planning and communication.

The referees elaborated an employment project plan for 12 settlements, four of which have already been accepted for financing by the employment centre of Tolna County.

In 2004, the first issue of the employment newsletter was published. Most of the materials were written by the referees.

A database was set up on the basis of interviews made with 320 potential Roma employees in the involved settlements. 110 entrepreneurs operating in Tolna County were asked what they thought of Roma employees and the possibility of employing more Roma people.

In the course of the program, the Foundation employed 10 Roma labour referees and one foundation awardee in 2004.

A film was produced featuring the consequences of discrimination. The film made on the basis of the project documents is being continued.

The film titled ’Modern Romeo’ shows the relationship of a Roma boy and a non-Roma girl. Some time after they meet, the boy is innocently imprisoned, and when he is released, he marries the girls – despite her family’s objection. The film presents the prejudiced mentality very well, the eternal stigmatization of convicts, the anti-Roma attitude of the police and the courts, and the resulting discriminative proceedings. After the completion of the film, the story continued, so, as far as we can afford, a sequel to the film is being shot.
We projected the film to the Roma referees and the participants of the course, which was followed by an exciting, yet moderate discussion on the topic.

The program will end on 31st July, 2005.

Roma agricultural development program

Autonómia’s last own grant-giving program ended in September, 2004, upon the termination of the Cooperation Agreement made between Autonómia and the National Employment Public Foundation.

On 11th June, 2002, Autonómia Foundation entered into a cooperation agreement with the National Employment Public Foundation for the implementation of the Roma Agricultural Development (RAD) Program. The agreement stipulated that the two foundations would co-finance the implementation of an agricultural development program under the title “Supporting the employment projects of Roma organizations”.

The content, duration and the amount of the grant were finalized after two modifications to the original agreement:

• 26th April, 2003 – the duration of the financing program would last from 15/12/2003 to 30-09/2004
• 6th August, 2004 – the final amount of grant provided by the National Employment Public Foundation was HUF 13,090,570, which Autonómia could spend on the invitation of applications for level II of the RAD program.

Time schedule of the financing program

Activity Date
Preparation stage January-March 2003
Call for grant applications March 2003
Evaluation of applications April 2003
Conclusion of financing agreements June 2003
Allocation of grants June 2003 – December 2003 – in instalments
Monitoring Continuous – April 2003 – September 2004
Closure of the program 30th September 2004

We launched our three-level development program in 2000. The Roma Agricultural Development Program is a continuation of the Kitchen Garden program and the Gardening 2000 programs started in 1998 and 2000, respectively. In cooperation with the National Employment Public Foundation, we first called for applications for level I of the development program in 2000. The purpose of the financing program was to give financial assistance to non-governmental organizations in the forms of multi-level projects, which enable Roma people to pursue independent economic activities. The application system aims to ensure that the supported organizations implement their economic activities (projects) through several years of professional and organizational development, in a way that is economically rational and sustainable on the long term.
We plan to accomplish the above goals on three levels. The levels are inter-related, keeping the medium term professional collaboration of Autonómia and the organization implementing the project in view.

In 2003, we invited proposals for the second level of the Roma Agricultural Development Program. Since the levels of the program are based on one another, the program – similar to the previous years’ practice – was only available for organizations, which had already taken part in and successfully completed agricultural projects with the support of Autonómia or any other grant-giving organization. Therefore, the implementation of the program included a preliminary survey, in which the Foundation’s colleagues mapped already running projects, and compiled the list of invited applicants accordingly.

The program was announced in March 2003, and the complete application package, containing the call for proposals and the application form (please find attached to this report a copy of each document) was mailed to the 13 invited organizations. The maximum amount of grant available for projects was HUF 2,300,000, and the deadline for submission was 18th April, 2003.

Eventually, the following 12 organizations submitted their grant applications:

Organization’s name/Representative/Program/Requested grant (HUF)
Association for the Employment of Roma in the Jászság Region/Banya László/Sheep-breeding/1,933,000
Roma Self-Help Advocacy Association of Homokszentgyörgy/Orsós Éva/Arable land cultivation/1,772,570
Local Civil Circle of Sámod/Fenyvesi János/Pig-breeding/1,870,000
Phralipe/Batyi Lajos/Vegetable growing/1,500,000
Roma Organization of Kapoly/Orsós Aranka/Pig-breeding/2,300,000
Roma Organization of Rinyaszentkirály /RCSZ/Orsós Péter/Cucumber growing/2,300,000
Zsivora György People’s College Foundation/Kocsis István/Strawberry growing/1,188,000
Together for Okány Association/Lingurár Sándor/Mini farm/2,275,994
‘Good hope’ Roma Organization of Pamuk/Lengyel Zoltánné/Goat-breeding/2,112,000
DCKSZ/Balogh Imre/Herbs/2,259,000
Roma Association of Kajdacs/Katona Péter/Arable land cultivation/2,283,500
Association of Roma Youths of Drávavölgy/Zentai József-Csonka József/Mangalica pig breeding/1,933,200
Total: HUF23,727,264

Five of the 12 submitted proposals came from Somogy County, three from Tolna Coutny and one from each of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Békés, Baranya and Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok Counties.

After the first assessment of the submitted proposals, the monitoring activity was started, in the framework of which Autonómia’s monitors visited each organization. The synopses of the proposals were written on the basis of the monitor’s visit reports, and the evaluation committee of the board of directors made their final decision accordingly. During the monitoring period, we made it possible for all organizations to modify the action plans included in their proposal and make up for any deficiencies using the help of the monitor.


Finally, the board of the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance found the following proposals worth financing:

Organization/Settlement/Grant (HUF)
Association for the Employment of Roma in the Jászság Region/Jánoshida/1.563.000
Association of Roma Youths of Drávavölgy/Lakócsa/1.933.200
Roma Association of Kajdacs/Kajdacs/2.283.500
Roma Organization of Rinyaszentkirály/Rinyaszentkirály/1.381.300
Roma Organization of Kapoly/Kapoly/2.300.000
Roma Self-Help Advocacy Association of Homokszentgyörgy/Homokszentgyörgy/1.772.570

The grants to be allocated to the six best proposals amounted to HUF 11,233,570, which accounts for nearly half of the submitted requests.

After the judgement of the proposals, the agreements were signed in the first half of June, 2003. Then the first grant instalments were disbursed, and the projects were started. The grants were allocated in instalments (usually two) in accordance with the schedule set up together with the applicant organization. Since there were various agricultural activities, the durations of projects were different, but they had all been completed by September, 2004.

Monitoring

Since the beginning of its operation, the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance has been monitoring its supported organizations. In the course of the RAD program, after the above mentioned preliminary monitoring, we continued to keep track of the operation of our supported projects. The colleagues of Autonómia visited the organizations on at least three occasions during the program period, but when it was necessary they paid even more visits. In addition to supervising the activities, the monitors laid great emphasis on providing information and giving advice to the supported organizations, thus assisting in the further development of their projects.
As a result of the success of the program, three of the six supported organizations are not implementing EU projects as main applicants or partners.

The supported projects

Reference number: RMF 11/II.
Name of the organization: Roma Self-Help Advocacy Association
Settlement: Homokszentgyörgy
Objective: Peppermint and tarragon growing
Grant: HUF 1,772,570

The village has 1200 inhabitants, approximately 15-20% of whom are of Roma origin. The Association was established in the winter of 2000 as the first local Roma non-governmental organization. The organization operates in close cooperation with Segítő Kéz (‘Helping hands’) 2001 Economic Development and Social Public Foundation, which coordinates the social land program of five villages.

In 2001, the organization took part in Autonómia’s RAD I program, in which five families won a total grant of HUF 174,225 for growing fodder. From the little amount of grant they received, each family could grow the fodder they needed for their own livestock. The organization accounted for the grant properly, and repaid the loan within the due date.

In 2003-2004, the five families participating in the previous program grew peppermint and tarragon (50-50%) on a total land area of one hectare. The poor quality sandy soil of the region is excellent for herb growing, and the local network of buyers guaranteed that the herbs grown could be sold. In addition to the buying system, which had been working for years, an increasing number of processing plants had been established in the region. As a result, beside the herbs freely available for collection, more and more farmers began to grow medicinal herbs.
The applicant organization has grown herbs that tolerate the local soil and weather conditions in a quasi integrated system. At first, they sold the freshly reaped herbs, but as a development of the project, they submitted a proposal for an EU employment program, which would enable them to establish a herb drier and sell the goods at a much more favourable price. They purchased the propagation material from the buyer, who assisted the organization with his expertise throughout the project. Having completed the soil preparation works, they planted tarragon in October, 2003 and peppermint in the spring of 2004.

The organization spent the full amount of the grant, and accounted for its expenses in compliance with the rules.
As a result of the project, the participating families gained professional skills and operated the project profitably already in the first year. The success of their work is also shown by the fact that their proposal for a HEFOP employment project is currently being judged.

Reference number: RMF 12/II.
Name of the organization: Roma Organization of Kapoly
Settlement: Kapoly
Objective: Pig-breeding
Grant: HUF 2,300,000

The settlement is the neighbour of the town of Tab, where only 23 Roma families live. The local inhabitants are mostly engaged in agriculture. The disintegration of cooperatives caused a lot of people to lose their jobs, and nowadays only the largest local agricultural enterprises (e.g. food mixer, limited liability companies, etc.) are employing a few people.

The Organization received a grant on the first level of the RAD program announced in 2002 for purchasing and breeding sows. Each family bought a sow in pig, sold the first and second progenies, and returned the repayable part of the proposal money from the income.

On the first level, the families delivered the store-pigs to a local buyer, who later sold them to the butchery. Then the organization itself contacted a nearby butchery, so it could sell the pigs directly. Since their breeding-stock was of high quality, they could sell the store-pigs even during the time of the pig crises, even if at a lower price than they had expected. In many cases they sold the pigs in their homes with the permit of the National Public Health and Medical Service to get a higher price. All of the families taking part in the program live from husbandry, and they all have some arable land, where they can grow a significant part of the fodder they need.
In addition to growing fodder, they used the grant allocated on the second level to enlarge the sties and increase the stock. The old sties worked at full capacity, so they could not increase the stock unless they improved the breeding conditions. Each family had a rather large land parcel belonging to their house, so there was no obstacle to enlargement. In the first part of the project period the purchase price of pigs hardly reached half of the prices valid at the time the first proposal was submitted. However, the high quality pedigree stock enabled the participants to survive these times. The families taking part in the project keep the animals in an exemplary way and with great commitment. Not only do they keep their pigs excellently, but they also make every effort to find opportunities for selling the animals. Yet, the organization encountered an unforeseen difficulty in the course of implementing the present project, because it took a long time and great endeavour to obtain the building permit for the sties planned to be erected in the families’ courtyards. The construction works and the investments undertaken in the program were finally completed in the spring of 2004. The organization received the amount of the grant in one sum (due to the nature of the purchases), and accounted for the full amount.

After the financing period ended, the members of the organization decided to continue the pig-breeding activity. Despite the difficulties caused by current regulations relating to breeding and sales, each participating family is able to earn a significant supplementary income. However, they do not have sufficient resources for the further development of the entire project.

Reference number: RMF 15/II.
Name of the organization: Roma Organization of Kajdacs
Settlement: Kajdacs
Objective: Herb growing
Grant: HUF 2,283,500

The organization was first financed by the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance in 2001, when they started to grow althea in the framework of the Greenworks program from a HUF 496,000 budget. The purpose of the project was to involve local landless Roma inhabitants in the utilization of the waterlogged areas surrounding the settlement by growing undemanding herbs, known as a profitable activity. The project was started as an experiment, and was not successful as year 2002 proved to be droughtier than the average. However, it is important to underline that the failure of the project was not owing to the organization and the participating families.

In this program, the organization applied for a grant for growing althea again, but this time they planned to cultivate a leased parcel of arable land with their own machinery. Similar to the first attempt, this time again the organization started the work with the involvement of ten highly committed families. Growing althea on a leased land was more promising than the former project, and they were able to conclude a preliminary contract for selling the herbs.

They also bought a tractor from the available grant, which they can use to provide services in the village beside their own farming activity, thus making additional income for the organization. The professional background of the project was ensured from several aspects, as the organization’s leader was an agricultural mechanic, the employee was a herbalist, and the entrepreneur who bought the herbs and sold the propagation materials guaranteed the professional success of the program. The key element of the project, that is, the cultivation works only started in the spring of 2004.

However, this well-secured agricultural project (appropriate expert, propagation material, etc.) did not turn out to be very successful, as the althea yield was far below expectations, and a substantial part of the seeds did not even start up (according to the expert opinion, it was due to the permanent snowless frost in the winter). To save the program, the organization sowed corn on some part of the cultivated land (5 hectares), so as to earn some income. Although as a result of the unexpected events the first year of the program did not end with too much success, the organization would like to continue its agricultural activity.

It is an important achievement that the State Secretariat of Roma Matters of the Prime Minister’s Office contributed HUF 300,000 to the project, which the organization spent on the purchase of a trailer for the tractor and chemicals needed for the cultivation activity.

The applicant organization is taking part as a consortium partner in a PHARE project on Local Tolerance Strengthening initiatives currently running in the region.

The organization accounted for the full amount of the grant.

Reference number: RMF 14/II.
Name of the organization: Association of Roma Youths of Drávavölgy
Settlement: Lakócsa
Objective: Mangalica pig breeding
Grant: HUF 1,933,200

In 2001, the organization took part in the Greenworks program jointly organized by the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance and the Environmental Partnership (Ökotárs) Foundation. In the framework of the project, they started mangalica pig breeding with the HUF 1,592,952 grant they won. In the program launched in 2002, each of the 21 participating families received a sow, and they could raise one boar together. The organization gave account of the grant, and in the course of our continuous monitoring we found everything all right. The organization signed a three-year breeding agreement for the allocated animals with the families involved in the program. In the first year, no animals dropped, and there were 136 progenies, which were partly sold and partly kept for further raising.

The program was continued with only ten families, and their purpose was to raise the stock together on the organization’s property, thus making the breeding activity more economical and safer. Each participant contributed a pig from their current stock. On the property they bought from the grant they built a stock-yard with a well for long term purposes, suitable for later enlargement and the safe breeding of a higher number of animals. This project is the development of an activity, which had already been operating as an exemplary program, this time with a larger stock and their own farm.

In the initial stage of the program, it caused some difficulties that the participants were going to buy the land as an undivided joint property. Therefore, the organization kept its livestock in its former premises, on a leased parcel. After the ownership of the land was settled, new lairs were built, and the initial stock (ten pigs) grew to a stable number of 30 pigs. At present, they keep 18 sows, two boars and eight pigs, and the continuously sell the progeny.

The organization’s project can be regarded successful and sustainable on the long term. They have opportunities for further development, as they have already been taking part in local Roma employment program as a consortium partner.

The organization accounted for the full amount of the grant they received.

Reference number: RMF 13/II.
Name of the organization: Roma Organization of Rinyaszentkirály
Settlement: Rinyaszentkirály
Objective: Cucumber growing
Grant: HUF 1,381,000

The organization was established in 1998, and the next year it joined the DCKSZ organization led by Balogh Imre from Barcs. There are 440 inhabitants in this small village, a quarter of whom are of Buoyash Roma origin. On the first level of the RAD program, the organization won a grant from the Foundation for growing garden vegetables. Another local Roma organization had already been supported with a similar project before, which was just as successful as this one. The project was properly implemented, and they repaid the loan on time.

In this project 14 families grew cordon cucumbers in their kitchen gardens. The local population has been dealing with cordon cucumber for a long time: they began growing this vegetable at the time when the Cannery in the nearby town of Nagyatád was flourishing. Since the cannery went bankrupt, a company seated in Szolnok (Nunhems) has been buying the cucumber. This company holds training courses on skills required for cucumber growing, focusing on the specific strain. Some of the families participating in the program had been earning a living from cucumbers for years, so the training, which formed a part of the project, was mainly addressed to the new families. Those who had already been dealing with cucumber growing for a long time could now enlarge their cultivated land, while the new participants were enabled to cultivate new areas that had not been used before. Due to the isolated location of the village, the quality of the soil and the local habits, cordon cucumber growing is the only activity people can really deal with in Rinyaszentkirály. It would also be profitable to grow sweet corn, but the cost of cultivation would exceed the local resources available.

Cucumber growing also requires substantial investments from the producer. An investment of HUF 400 thousand is needed to make an income of HUF 400 thousand, so poor families are unable to start this activity from their own resources.

The first stage of the project was successfully completed, the organization could account for the entire amount of the disbursed grant. Last year’s yield met the expectations, so the participants of the program found their work successful.

In the second stage of the program, there was an apparently irresolvable conflict between the management and the members of the organization. The bone of contention was the use of the last instalment of the grant (HUF 234,588). The participants of the program bought the chemicals themselves, but they did not ask for an appropriate receipt of their expenses, so the organization’s leader could not submit the relevant accounts to us. To date, we still have not received the accounting of the last instalment, so we do not consider the project completed.

The organization’s leader was reminded to make up for the missing accounts no later than in the middle of February.

Reference number: RMF 16/II.
Name of the organization: Association for the Employment of Roma People in the Jászság Region
Settlement: Jánoshida
Objective: Sheep-breeding
Grant: HUF 1,563,000

Jánoshida has a population of 2900, about 600 of whom are of Roma origin. It is primarily an agricultural settlement; before it was dissolved, the cooperative had been the largest local employer, and another significant number of inhabitants commuted to work in the building industry.

The organization was established in the summer of 2001, in fact, because of the Roma Agricultural Development Program of the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance. The organization’s leader Banya László first met the Foundation in Somogyfajsz. In 2002, the Association implemented its agricultural program with the help of a HUF 1,000,000 grant, in which five families raised turkeys and sheep. As regards accounting and the repayment of the loan, the project proved to be successful, however, according to the organization’s leader, the involved families were unable to achieve the pre-set targets. Not all of them treated the allocated livestock well enough, so the participants did not develop the ‘good farmer attitude’.

After the disappointments of the former program, the organization’s leader continued the next level of the project with only two families, assisting them in becoming independent private farmers. At the same time, he involved further 37 families in a new first-level project element. Each of the new families was given 50 baby chicks and fodder required for raising them. They bought the chicks from a grant allocated by MCKA (Public Foundation for the Roma of Hungary), and they only spent the amount won from Autonómia on fodder. Each participant, who received baby chicks, had to attend a basic agricultural training, which the organization held in the framework of the program. A major part of the budget included in their current proposal was meant to increase the sheep stock of the two private farmers. The enlarged livestock also required infrastructure developments from both farmers. They spent and accounted for the full amount of the grant.

In accordance with the agreement, the National Employment Public Foundation has transferred HUF 12,000,000 to the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance for the purpose of financing the program. Since the program was started, the Foundation – in addition to contributing its own resources – has used a total of 11,225,309 from the amount disbursed by OFA so far.

Possibilities of alternative energy usage in a disadvantaged region

Background

In 2003-2004, the Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance carried out a project with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in which Autonómia aimed to collect detailed information on the energy requirement of disadvantaged, mainly Roma people, as well as their possibilities to access energy sources. The project was based on the assumption that the heating needs of the population of disadvantaged regions, especially the Roma, are unsatisfied, and their energy use is inefficient. The project had a dual goal:
(1) to conduct a survey on the energy requirements of disadvantaged households in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County,
(2) to elaborate solutions and launch pilot projects - based on the results of the survey – which would ease the heating and energy consumption problems of Roma people living under stringent financial conditions.

The target area of the project included settlements in the microregion of Encs. The Hungarian Foundation for Self-Reliance had already supported the programs of Roma organizations operating in the selected settlements, and established close cooperation with the local Roma leaders. During this period, Autonómia was running a large EQUAL program in the region, which was worth joining with this project.

The microregion of Encs lies on a relatively valueless agricultural area, but it is specifically rich in forests. Its infrastructure is underdeveloped, and it has such a poor network of roads that many of the settlements are inaccessible in winter snow-falls. It has no gas-distributing system, and it is not even expected to be built in the forthcoming decade. The poverty of the population and the local governments makes large investments impossible (gas and sewerage system), and it is doubtful if these families could afford to maintain such basic utilities at all. Therefore, the most easily accessible source of energy for these households is and will probably always be the forest. The conversion of the power plant of Kazincbarcika to biomass heating increased the price of firewood so much that a lot of families, who used to have no problem with buying wood for winter before, now suffered from serious difficulties.

Methods

The project consisted of three key elements:
1. Selection of the target area, preparation of questionnaires
2. Collection of data with the use of questionnaires mostly in the Roma households of the selected disadvantaged settlements
3. Financial support, monitoring and evaluation of pilot projects based on the surveys.

1. a. Selection of the target area

The following criteria were taken into account to select the target area of the survey:
 It should be a disadvantaged microregion,
 Autonómia should have a good level of knowledge of the microregion,
 Autonómia should have an established relationship within the local Roma community,
 There should be a mutual confidence between Autonómia and the local Roma community,
 The project should be adaptable based on the experience gained.

1. b. Preparation of questionnaires

It was not an easy task to compile the questionnaires, because the energy requirements of households, especially those of the disadvantaged population, had never been surveyed in Hungary, as far as we knew, no such research had been made before. We prepared the questionnaires in collaboration with the energetics expert of the pro