Roma Mentors Pilot Project

Under the project “Strengthening human rights protection and public safety by improving the capacities of the Croatian probation service”, the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration has launched the Roma Mentors Pilot Project.

The project “Strengthening human rights protection and public safety by improving the capacities of the Croatian Probation Service” is co-financed under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021. The total value of the project is EUR 2.1 million.

The objective of the pilot is to employ six members of the Roma national minority from the Međimurje County as Roma mentors.

Upon completion of training, to be delivered by experts from the Czech Republic, the Roma mentors will provide support to various institutions: probation offices, the police, the Croatian Employment Service, the State Inspectorate, social welfare and educational institutions, and will be the liaisons between those institutions and Roma communities in Međimurje.

Guests of the Pilot Launch Event were welcomed by Mr Josip Salapić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration, Mr Vladimir Faber, Advisor to the Minister of the Interior, and Ms Suzana Krčmar, President of the Union of Roma in Croatia “KALI SARA”.

State Secretary Salapić expressed his gratitude for the positive reactions and response to the project. He stated that the probation service of the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration has been committed to resolving the technical issues and real life problems of the Roma community for many years, and that this project aims to improve their education and security. He highlighted the importance of education, not only in the region concerned but across Croatia, and expressed the desire for Roma to be fully assimilated in the society, which is one of the objectives of this project. He believes that the current and future mentors will enable the Roma community to get closer to society and institutions. 

The event was also attended by Ms Jana Špero, Director General for Prison System and Probation and Project Manager, Mr Goran Brkić, Head of Probation Sector and Deputy Project Manager, and Ms Vesna Zelić Ferenčić, Head of Probation Office Zagreb II and Project Team Member. 



foto HINA/ Siniša KaLAJDŽIJA/ ml