OSCE Mission supports drafting of model local action plan for inclusion of Roma and Egyptians

The finalization of a model local action plan for the inclusion of Roma and Egyptians communities was the main goal of a workshop organized in Podgorica on 11 and 12 October 2017. The workshop was organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro within the framework of the extra-budgetary project "Prevention of Early Forced Marriages among Vulnerable Groups", supported by the French Permanent Mission to the OSCE. 

Amongst the twenty-two participants, who came from six different Montenegrin municipalities, were representatives from civil society, the Montenegrin Union of Municipalities and the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights. Under the guidance of an expert team, the participants candidly discussed the numerous challenges and opportunities arising from the different sections of the model action plan. This includes the housing, employment, health care and education of Roma and Egyptians, as well as legal and social frameworks. 

Addressing the participants, Lia Magnaguagno, Democratization Programme Manager at the OSCE Mission, highlighted the important opportunities that these types of  events offer: "This model is an opportunity to contribute to the improvement of social inclusion at the local level and should reflect the National Strategy for Social Inclusion of Roma and Egyptian in Montenegro (2016-2020), bearing in mind the specific needs of the municipalities. That is why your inputs are particularly important." 

The finalized model local action plan will be presented at the project’s closing event in November and delivered to the Montenegrin municipalities for their further use and consideration. It is expected that they will adapt to their specific local needs and enter procedure for its adoption.