ROMA EARLY CHILDHOOD INCLUSION (RECI+)
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Croatia
Project lead partner/organization and contact person (e-mail, links) project website
Lead partner:
Institut za društvena istraživanja Ivo Pilar
Partners:
Mreža fondacija
Otvoreno društvo
UNICEF
Pučko otvoreno učilište ''Korak po korak''
REF
Summary (goals and purposes of the project)
The purpose of this research is to determine the general and specific circumstances of Roma children and families in Croatia. The main goal is to get a detailed insight into the health, social and educational status of Roma children and to identify and analyze priority early childhood issues and policies for Roma families and children. Research work (questionnaires / interviews and focus groups) in the field included the urban and rural locations on the Croatian territory. Qualitative research was conducted with Roma families and their children and the wider community (kindergartens, schools, social welfare centres, local authorities, the Roma civil society organizations).
Results of the project
One of the most relevant findings from the RECI+ Croatia Study is that only 20% of all Roma children aged between 0–6 in Roma households included in this study are accessing any kind of preschool early childhood education and care programs or preparatory pre-primary year programmes in their communities.
Despite the commendable and encouraging legislation and multiple Convention background, the equal inclusion with dignity and respect of Roma children in education, including preschool provision, is unsatisfactory. There are still a multitude of challenges at all levels of the education system that create obstacles for these children’s access to such services and provision.
Who will benefit from this project (target group)
The RECI+ Croatia is intended to aid the appropriate authorities in ensuring the development of unhindered and equal access to quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and provision for Croatian Roma children, through advocacy rooted in credible and informed research.
Sources of funding
Open society foundation, 41.000 USD
Link
http://www.pilar.hr/novosti/projekti/614-reci-roma-early-childhood-inclusion