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Title of the project: Roma Registration and Personal Documentation Project

Project Time frame: May- December 2006

Project Goal: A serious  obstacle to the exercise of basic rights  by Roma  in Macedonia is a lack of basic documents.This is a pervasive problem and one that will unfortunately be passed from generation to generation until appropriate measures are taken.The right to a legal identity forms the basis   for recognition by the State  that an individual exists as a citizen, and thus has the right to services, resources, opportunities, and protection offered by the State  to its citizens.

Project objectives:

• The overall objective of the project is to reduce the number of Roma individuals lacking a legal identity and basic personal documentation In Macedonia.

• To build awareness In the Roma community of the importance  of establishing a legal identity and obtaining  documentation for  themselves and their children and where to seek aid in doing so.

• To provide to individual  clients the legal and financial assistance necessary for them to obtain personal documentation and establish a legal identity.

Project results:

• The result of the project  will be that 400 Roma individuals will be assisted in obtaining personal  documentation.

• Reducing the number of stateless Roma and unregistered  children.

• Access a number of basic rights from which Roma were previously excluded or could not enjoy fully, including the rights to legal employment or unemployment registration, basic free health care, social welfare and access to public education.

• The path to citizenship will become a reality and the door to participate in their society will finally be opened.

Project Activities:

The project will have two parallel  activities:

·        The first will consist of public awareness and outreach in the Municipality of Kumanovo and the towns of Kriva Palanka and Kratovo (face to face contact and going door-to-door using individuals who speak both the Roma and Macedonian languages;lawyers and staff members will provide the legal, administrative and financial  assistance that beneficiaries will need to register and obtain documentation).

·        The second  component will  consist of activities  focused on providing  individuals with the legal, administrative and financial assistance necessary for them to obtain personal documentation.

·        Monitoring and evaluation

Budget/ Request : 31. 342 Euro

Project Donor: Swedish Helsinki Committee

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