Press release: Project closure – PN1038

Transforming the Hârșova Community: Two years of impact and hope

Two years of sustained efforts have transformed the Hârșova community. Non-formal education, medical services, and inclusion activities have defined a successful project implemented by the Hârșova Town Hall, in partnership with the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation, with strong support from the local community.

The event is organized by the Hârșova Town Hall and the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation Bucharest, as part of the project “Inclusion and Health in PORT (Hârșova) through Education, Arts, and Sports,” funded by a grant of €582,361 from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants under the Local Development Program.

With a bold vision and twenty-eight months of dedicated efforts, the Hârșova community has experienced significant transformation.

Non-formal education, medical support, and inclusion activities were just a few components of an extensive project, passionately shaped and implemented by the Hârșova Town Hall in partnership with the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation, with support from the local community.

Over two years, or 730 days, we had the joy of seeing the Danube community change and shape itself on its path to inclusion.

It was a journey full of non-formal education, play, sports, training, service provision, consultation with local stakeholders to improve the situation of Roma citizens, debates, and negotiations to reach the heart of Hârșova.

Together with the Hârșova Town Hall, we implemented an extensive project that opened doors to many other initiatives in PORT.

A key aspect of the project was training activities for specialists and Roma leaders for better inclusion of the vulnerable community. These documents are not just paper but living tools guiding the community toward a more inclusive future.

Courses for socio-educational animators and professionals working with the Roma community benefited 72 participants. These courses were not just sources of knowledge but also ways to build strong bonds within the community.

Through seven training sessions, we involved 80 women, providing them with the tools to better manage their lives and contribute to community changes.

Numerous sessions dedicated to vulnerable children and youth had over 200 participants. Additionally, the two urban camps brought joy to the hearts of over 170 young Roma community members.

Two school medical offices were carefully equipped to provide quality medical services, benefiting over 1000 students. Vulnerable children and youth not only received medical care but were also provided with personal hygiene packages, contributing to their well-being.

Involving over 230 local actors, we developed and approved an inclusion strategy and a local action plan for Roma citizens. These documents are living tools guiding the community toward a more inclusive and prosperous future.

The Diversity Festival marked a cultural awareness campaign and civic participation. With three components – entertainment, sports, and non-formal education – the event brought the community together, emphasizing the importance of diversity and unity. Over 1000 spectators attended the three-day event, and over 700 participants were actively involved, including artists, children, youth, volunteers, and the organizing team.

The final part of the project concluded with a study visit to Bucharest for 10 young Roma from Hârșova to explore professional opportunities and identify solutions for better integration and empowerment within the local community.

These are not just numbers

They are stories, smiles, hugs, and the hope that change is possible. We have touched the lives of 3000 people in Hârșova, and the impact is measured not just in numbers but in the real transformation of the community.

Change is becoming visible, and the community is turning into a better place for everyone. Hârșova, we look forward to seeing you again soon!

Summary of results achieved during the project implementation:

• Training for Community Inclusion: 72 people benefited from courses for socio-educational animators and professionals working with the Roma community.
• Parental Education and Empowerment: 80 women participated in seven training sessions.
• Non-Formal Education: Over 200 children participated in multiple sessions, and over 170 young Roma attended two urban camps.
• Medical Services: Over 1000 students received quality medical services from two equipped school medical offices, and personal hygiene packages were distributed.
• Inclusion Strategy and Local Action Plan: Developed and approved with input from over 230 local actors.
• Diversity Festival: Over 1000 spectators and 700 active participants engaged in the three-day event.
• Study Visit: 10 young Roma from Hârșova explored professional opportunities in Bucharest.

Download the press release HERE

The project “Inclusion and Health in PORT (Hârșova) through Education, Arts, and Sports” is funded by a grant of €582,361 from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants under the Local Development Program. The project’s objective was to increase the inclusion and social empowerment of Roma in Hârșova through interventions that enhance children’s access to quality medical services, reduce absenteeism and school dropout rates through non-formal activities, combat ethnic discrimination, and increase the active participation of Roma individuals in community decisions.

For official information about the EEA Grants, visit www.eeagrants.ro.

For official information about the Local Development Program, visit www.frds.ro.