Roma Community House Established in Nagykanisza
Since 1995, Partners-Hungary has worked to build representation for the sizable Roma minority in Nagykanizsa, a town in southwestern Hungary. One of its major accomplishments has been the establishment of the Social Interest Conciliation Network for the prevention and conciliation of local social conflicts and the enhancement of ethnic tolerance. The network consists of teachers, social workers, municipal officials and representatives from the Roma minority self-government, all of whom have been trained in mediation and conciliation skills by Partners-Hungary.
After years of extensive training for leaders of the Roma Minority Self-Government and facilitated relations with the municipality, provided by Partners-Hungary, the two parties agreed on the establishment of a Roma Community Center in an old school building to serve the Roma of Nagykanizsa and 18 surrounding settlements. The Center’s primary goal is to provide services that help Roma adapt to new economic realities and integrate them into the life of the wider Hungarian community.
With the assistance of the Partners-Hungary team, the Roma Center offers inclusive trainings for representatives of the minority self-government and Roma and non-Roma entrepreneurs to enhance their communication and representation skills. A communication and negotiation framework has been put in place for resolving future disputes. The Center also houses several local civic organizations and a legal aid office, as well as programs for children, a day shelter, meals-on-wheels for the disadvantaged, and classes in traditional Roma crafts.
Partners-Hungary’s program utilized participatory processes that included the municipalities of Nagykanizsa and surrounding settlements and their Roma residents, in particular those – youth, children, elderly, teachers, entrepreneurs, etc. – who are the primary clients of the Roma Center’s services. Consequently, the Roma of Nagykanizsa and the surrounding area consider it their own.
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