Located in the Târnavelor Plateau, the commune of Valea Viilor is an old Saxon settlement in Sibiu County. According to estimates by formal and informal local leaders, 25% of the commune's inhabitants belong to the Roma minority, which has almost completely replaced the ethnic Germans who emigrated.

In the 2011 census, only 9.29% of the citizens declared themselves Roma, as belonging to this ethnicity, language and culture is stigmatized. According to official data, the other nationalities are represented by Romanians 84.3% and Hungarians 2.19%.

PROGRAM KEY DATA

  • Initiated in 2021
  • Closed Program
  • Total Budget: 249,600 EUR
  • Financed by: Active Citizens Fund Romania

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    Web: www.impreunaplantam.ro

Although almost 40 years have passed since the large-scale settlement of Roma in the community, their economic and social integration is far from being achieved. Roma from Valea Viilor are not attracted and accepted in the activities of the majority, have limited access to resources, jobs and income-generating activities and benefit from limited medical, social or educational services. In general, the Roma population is less employed, poorer and less educated.

The project aims to induce systemic changes by bringing economic progress and social integration to the benefit of the Roma community, young people and vulnerable people.

An innovative agricultural model will be used as motivation for community mobilization: planting fruit trees and cultivating garden plants. This lucrative agro-horticultural activity will attract the energy of the entire community, around which social, economic, infrastructure and public policy issues will be debated, studied and improved.

Our partner, Valea Viilor City Hall, will mobilize the community, promote Romani culture, music and dance, include the results in its development strategy and disseminate the results at local and national level.

At the end of the project, the gap between the Roma population and other ethnic groups will decrease, as well as their harmonious coexistence.