In an effort to increase employment of the Roma community in Medjimurje, the Justice and Public Administration Ministry has launched a pilot project for Roma mentors, which was presented in Cakovec on Tuesday.

The pilot project is being implemented within a project to improve the protection of human rights and public security through strengthening capacities in probation services. The project is valued at €2.1 million and it is being financed from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

Part of the funds is earmarked for the employment of six Roma from Medjimurje County for a period of 19 months as Roma mentors.

After attending training, which will be conducted by Czech experts with experience in similar projects, the Roma mentors will provide support to probation offices, the police, employment service, public health institute, state inspectorate and other social welfare and educational institutions.

State-secretary in the Ministry, Josip Salapic, underscored that the project is aimed at totally including the Roma minority in society.

This is the first project of this kind in Croatia, the head of the prison system and probation administration, Jana Spero said.

An advisor in the Interior Ministry, Vladimir Faber, said that a lot is expected from this project.

“It will enable two-way communication between institutions and Roma communities and between institutions themselves,” Faber said, adding that the biggest problem in Roma communities is poverty, social exclusion, poor education, crime among minors, which can be changed with mutual communication.

President of the Kali Sara Roma alliance in Croatia,  Suzana Krcmar, underscored that the Roma will always offer their hand and be open to everyone, especially those who are their friends.