ROMA ORGANIZATIONS FROM TURKEY AND THE BALKANS CONDUCTED A STUDY VISIT TO THE FSG TO LEARN OUR PROGRAMMES IN DETAIL [editar]

A group of NGOs working for the social inclusion of the Roma community in Balkan countries and Turkey were invited by the European Commission DG NEAR TACSO to make a study visit to the FSG headquarters in order to know more about our work.  
These Roma and pro-Roma NGO coming from Turkey, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, together with a representative of the European Commission DG NEAR, who is in charge of maintaining relations and monitoring the progress of these candidate countries to join the European Union, participated in trainings and field trip.

During 3 days the participants were able to get to know first hand the programs developed by the FSG in order to extract our knowledge and apply it in its own context. 

The first day was dedicated to the education area and to show our work with the Promociona programme. Besides knowing the theoretical bases of the program and our philosophy in the application of it, the participants visited an educational center where Promociona Programme is developed. They had the chance to meet teachers, FSG technicians and  some students.  

The second day was dedicated to employment focusing on the FSG approach for the incorporation of Roma into the labor market. FSG workers presented the  Acceder programme, an initiative launched in 2000 that is having great results regarding labor insertion, fight for the equality and intercultural cohabitation.
In addition to the Acceder program, participants could meet "Learning by Doing" program, the latest FSG´s youth employment programme. During this day,  they were able to know real experiences by interviewing companies and young Roma who participated in the programme.

On the third day, FSG presented our work in the fight against discrimination though the coordination of the `Victims of Racial or Ethnic Support Service´, also  the `Calí for the equality of Roma women´ programme was introduced to participants. 

Finally, the Communication department explained our awareness raising campaigns. These actions aim to create greater awareness of the situation of the Roma community. 

At the end of the study visit, participants were invited to express their opinion and evaluate these days. The comments and ratings were all very positive and they were very grateful to learn from our more than 30 years of experience.