Patacluj news 24, ian2017 en f

January 2017 24_NEWSLETTER January: Month of community activities Pata-Cluj team wishes to all our partners, friends, supporters and collaborators a Happy New Year and not to forget those excluded among us!

Events and actions with and for the community

The members of the Community Association of Roma from Coastei prepared a program of recreational activities for children and youth from the community Members of the Community Association of Roma from Coastei (ACRC) prepared a cultural-educational program with recreational activities for children and young people from the Coastei community. The program was made for several months and began in November 2016. Among the proposed activities there are: visits to the museum, civil rigths awareness activities, leisure activities, excursions. Thus, after a visit to the museum, a creative workshop for painting banners, a weekend action for clean up in the community and a visit with carol songs at the Town Hall held in 2016, the first activity planned for January 2017 was at the skating rink in the city center. 80 children participated in the activities that took place until now. For February 2017 there are planned activities for about 50 children: winter activities – sleddging and skating -, theater performances for children and a painting contest in the community, whose results will be subsequently organized for an exhibition.

Financial Mechanism Office, Str Joseph II 12-16 (post address) Bd du Régent 47-48, B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org or www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA & Norwegian Grants, Financial Mechanism Office, 2014-2017

NORWAY GRANTS | 24_NEWSLETTER • January 2017

The Second Chance program was resumed

The education team met the representatives of Christiana school In January to discuss the plans to restart the courses of the Second Chance program. On January 23rd, the education team held a meeting at the Mobile Unit from Pata Rat with the children enrolled in the Second Chance program, 15 children together with their parents.

The purpose of the meeting was to determine the details of resuming the educational activities and to meet the new teacher who will work with children. The meeting was attended by the teacher Simona, by representatives of the Christiana School which offers these services, and the members of the education team of the Pata-Cluj project. On this occasion the children and adults who were present met the teacher, and the teacher paid a visit to Pata-Rat. After 2 days of accommodation, the classes began with 15 children.

The employment team informed the community on the YouthBuild Cluj 2017 program In January, took place an information session for young people from Pata Rat regarding the training courses from YouthBuild Cluj program. Thus, on 11, 16 and 17 January Mălina along with Maria, Oli and Eva informed the members of the three communities: Canton, Dallas and Coastei about the available courses of this new session of the YouthBuild Cluj program. As a result of the information campaign 24 young people aged between 16 and 35 years enrolled for courses: hairdressers, manicure/pedicure and driving (category B, and on choice CE). The young people from the community want to obtain a qualification in these trades and are eager to start the courses. By the end of January the young people were invited to a discussion-interview with the organizers who presented the programme and the duration of the courses. 14 young people out of all those who enrolled will begin their courses in February and will attend them for the next three months.

YouthBuild Cluj is a program developed for local young people living in poor conditions who need a path to find work, to develop their entrepreneurial spirit and opportunity of a good life that can bring welfare to them and to those around

www.patacluj.ro | info@patacluj.ro patacluj@gmail.com |fax. 0364/401479

| 24_ NEWSLETTER • January 2017

January 2017 24_NEWSLETTER them. The program implements an international International in over 15 countries around the world.

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14 children attend the weekly sports activities of martial arts at Tengu 14 children and adolescents from Pata Rât, aged between 9 and 16 years, resumed their kick-boxing workout at Tengu Sports Club, after a three weeks vacation, on January 10th. The groups consists in 5 girls and 9 boys. They attend the workout classes twice a week: children and young people from the Dallas and Coastei communities, and the children of the education program of the Pata-Cluj project.

Accompanied by members of the education team and facilitators, the participants discover the mysteries of this sport with effort and perseverance with the three coaches: Andrei Cosmin and Adi. Even if some of them attend the workouts regularly since 2015 they are all curious and excited about the movements and techniques. The latest enrolled, children from the education program, are intrigued by the boxing bag and ask all the "why?" questions regarding the activities and the exercises carried out in the weekly program. Starting this January it is expected that the children enrolled in the Second Chance program start the workouts as well, once the educational activities within the program will resume.

The youth from the YouthBuild Cluj 2016 program are approaching the end of the program In November 2016, a new generation of YouthBuild of 15 participants have started the qualification courses and activities. Young students, aged up to 26 years old, did not have a job and were not enrolled in any form of education or training at the time of commencement of the program. Thus, in the framework of the YouthBuild program the youth began qualification courses (they had to choose between manicure-pedicure and hairdresser), they participated in nonformal education courses, studying English and activities that helped them to support the Cluj community.

Ileana, a young woman from Pata Rât, is 17 years old and enrolled for the hairdresser course. Her first thought was that she is enrolled in a course for hair arrangement for girls, and she wanted to start the course because she liked to blend and arrange girls’ hair. However, as she (c) YouthBuild Cluj learned during the course more about boys (c) YouthBuild Cluj

Financial Mechanism Office, Str Joseph II 12-16 (post address) Bd du Régent 47-48, B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org or www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA & Norwegian Grants, Financial Mechanism Office, 2014-2017

NORWAY GRANTS | 24_NEWSLETTER • January 2017

hairstyles she began to like this too. The first time she trimmed boys at the practice she was very nervous because she never trimmed boys before.

The first person I gave a haircut was a good friend. The teacher helped me, he showed me what to do, he held my hand. But we are doing better now. The teacher allows us to trim alone, he is just watching us. I feel more confident know, says Ileana.

She thinks that once they complete the program, and she will turn 18, she will go to find work. YouthBuild Cluj is a local program developed for young people living in precarious conditions who need a path to employment, to develop their entrepreneurial spirit and opportunity to lead a good life that brings them and those around them welfare. The program implements an international model developed by YouthBuild International in over 15 countries worldwide.

The program and the activity of teams doing fieldwork in Pata Rat The work program in the community is made by the Pata-Cluj team in order to accommodate the needs and schedule of the Pata Rat community members. It changed during October and November, during the period of applications submission for social housing. Starting January the program returns to normal.

Medical consultations: Tuesday 12.0014.00 Friday 12.0014.00 The medical team support residents from Pata Rât to assess their general health and to provide emergency medical services.

Documents: Monday 12.00-16.00 Maria supports people from Pata Rât in obtaining birth certificates and identity cards.

www.patacluj.ro | info@patacluj.ro patacluj@gmail.com |fax. 0364/401479

| 24_ NEWSLETTER • January 2017

January 2017 24_NEWSLETTER Past Events Raluca held a series of creative workshops for children at the PaintBrush Factory The first meeting with children from Pata Rat for the creative workshops in 2017 was held on 11 January in RAP of the PaintBrush Factory.

Raluca, the coordinator, proposed a three-series workshop to engage children's attention, to help them to experience trust in others and space orientation. During the three meetings in January (11, 18 and 25 of January) Raluca used an educational method during the creative workshops based on movement, active listening and observation exercises and combines a variety of working tools: icebreaker exercises, role play, individual and group exercises, movies, songs and music auditions, exercises and rhythmic movements.

Related events - networking Community facilitators shared their best practices with members of Caritas In January 2017 the Pata-Cluj team members met, on two special occasions, with the team members of United Networks project, implemented by Caritas Alba Iulia. On January 13th United Networks project team paid a working visit to us, in Cluj, to exchange experiences with our colleagues. During this visit, facilitators and case managers discussed with their counterpart partners about various issues encountered during the facilitation work done in disadvantaged communities, and about their shared experiences on similar topics.

During the working visit a field trip to Pata Rât was scheduled for the colleagues from the three counties of Harghita, Covasna and Mures communities to see the situation of the community. During the visit to Pata Rât they were invited into the people’s homes in the Coastei and Ramp communities; people who agreed to share their life experiences with them.

At the end of the January, on the 26th, a team of the Pata-Cluj project attended the closing conference of United Networks project, during which the organizers presented the mode and the institutional facilitation effects in areas where the project has impacted communities (particularly the political ownership of the best practices developed in the NGO sector by local authorities and town halls). This meeting was a good opportunity to meet again the facilitators from the United Networks project and to continue the networking started during their visit in Pata Rât.

Lavinia and Ana intermediated the connection between two Norwegian architects and Roma craftsmen Lavinia and Ana met on January 12th two architect-researchers from Norway interested in Financial Mechanism Office, Str Joseph II 12-16 (post address) Bd du Régent 47-48, B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org or www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA & Norwegian Grants, Financial Mechanism Office, 2014-2017

NORWAY GRANTS | 24_NEWSLETTER • January 2017

learning about the Pata-Cluj project, about the situation of Pata Rât and the Roma craftsmen in the country. Speaking about their gained experiences in Pata Rât, our colleagues told them, to Joar Nango and Håvard Arnhoff, about a well known stove maker from the Dallas community. Alex Fechete facilitated the meeting between norwegians and the craftman. He also told them about the craftsman-artist Gabor Lali, who hosted the Pata-Cluj got talent contest! event. On this occasion the Norwegians met Attila Molnar who presented them the crafts associations in Transylvania. The Norwegian researchers said that all this information will be used for an artistic act ready to take place in Greece, on 8th of April 2017.

The management team attended the closing event of the project funding program On January 25th and 26th, Gabi and Juli, the project management team, attended the closing event of the "Poverty Alleviation" financing program, funded by Norway Grants. Our colleagues attended the two-day meeting together with representatives of other five Norwegian funded projects. Pata-Cluj project presentation was focused on the impact of intervention at micro (family and school) and at the macro level (community and regional) and on the results obtained so far. Participants at the event enjoyed the presence of the Ambassador of Norway in Romania and Moldova, Tove Bruvik Westberg, who is also the representative of the financing program "Poverty Alleviation" in Romania.

Future Events The final conference of the Pata-Cluj project: Debate on Social Inclusion: strategies and dilemmas, 28th of February to 1st of March 2017, Cluj-Napoca The International Conference The Social Inclusion Debate: strategies and dilemmas is organized as a forum where there are presented and discussed new approaches in social inclusion. In a multidisciplinary and dynamic framework the event will host the conference panels, workshops with professionals and community members, professional platforms for exchanging experience and relevant cultural program. This format will allow participants to present their experiences and contributions to social inclusion and to build relationships for future collaboration. The event also represents a platform for the presentation of the results of the Pata-Cluj project implemented by the Intercommunity Development Association Cluj Metropolitan Area and its partners.

www.patacluj.ro | info@patacluj.ro patacluj@gmail.com |fax. 0364/401479

| 24_ NEWSLETTER • January 2017

January 2017 24_NEWSLETTER Cultural Activities In January cultural activities were resumed: creative workshops and theater plays for children at MiniReactor, theater workshops at the Paintbrush Factory and the theater play on housing Shelters, at Reactor for creation and experiment. These will be regularly held on the two locations for the participants from Pata Rât, and for the residents of other neighborhoods of the city until the end of the Pata-Cluj project.

The series of workshops for children "Play the theater!" started in November 2016 at the Paintbrush continues in February. The Workshops are held every Wednesday in the RAP room of the Paintbrush Factory, starting at 5.15 p.m. The artist invited for the next session, Lucian Rad and his collaborators, will explore for three meetings the possibilities in which improvisations and games can help and contribute to getting to know oneself and socialization within a group. The workshops are open to all the children, within the limit of the available places (max.

15 participants), aged between 6 and 10 years.

The theater play Shelters performed by the Reactor creative and experiment team will have monthly performances in the space on Petofi Sandor no 4. The participation is free of charge and needs prior registration. Shelters is a theater play that stitches different perspectives on forced evictions and homelessness in Romania. The actors betting on the game between distance and engagement, one that produces critical discourse and which may later lead to debate. Built on devised theater methods, the play aims to familiarize the public with these issues through a representation that aims to generate empathy among members of the audience. The next performance will take place on Monday, February 13th starting at 7 p.m.

Starting February a new series of theater performances will begin for children from Pata Rât and their parents at Minireactor. The first performance, on Saturday, February 4th, is for 2 year old children and plays with geometric shapes: lines, squares, circles, to arouse curiosity and to put the imagination to the game for good cheer and friends. Participants from Pata Rat are expected to attend the plays every second Saturday, starting 12.30, until end of April.

Announcements for the community Monthly session for IDs photos and information about social benefits On the last Monday of each month Roland takes photos for ID documents for the members of the Pata Rat community during the work program of the team dealing with social benefits. In January Roland together with Maria and Anna, colleagues of social benefits team, realized 2 photos for ID documents. In January Mária filed together with the people of Pata Rat, 1 birth certificate (first document), 2 requests for duplicate birth certificate with Financial Mechanism Office, Str Joseph II 12-16 (post address) Bd du Régent 47-48, B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org or www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA & Norwegian Grants, Financial Mechanism Office, 2014-2017

NORWAY GRANTS | 24_NEWSLETTER • January 2017

sentence, renewed 1 birth certificate and made one request for state benefits. She also helped a family to renew a marriage certificate. In the next period Anna and Mária will support and advise people who need help to restore the identity documents.

The evaluation team visited the applicant families for the Pata-Cluj social housing Independent evaluators who assess the applications for social housing within the project have completed a first assessment of the documents in the latter part of December.

In January 2017, after meeting the families and individuals who have applied for a social house, began a psycho-social assessment of family members. They have 35 families in their homes in Pata Rat. On this occasion the assessment team directly met the families and was able, through detailed discussions, to better understand their resources and needs.

Pata-Cluj social inclusion calendar: February February 20th – Roma Manumission Day 20th of February 1856 represents for Romanian Roma the day they of manumission of the last group slaves, belonging to private owners. The Roma Manumission Day is celebrated on the occasion of signing, by Barbu Știrbei, of an act through which the Roma slaves have been released. February 20th 1856 represents for Romanian Roma the date on which the last group of slaves have been released from private owners. Roma manumission was proclaimed through “The enactment of all roma emancipation from the Romanian Principality” by Barbu Știrbei, based on a drafted text by Petre Mavrogheni and Mihail Kogălniceanu. 155 years later, on March 11 2011 the date of February 20th was officialy declared The Romanian Roma Manumission Day. The World Day of Social Justice World Day of Social Justice is a day recognizing the need to promote efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion and unemployment. The United Nations General Assembly has decided to observe 20 February annually, approved on 26 November 2007 and starting in 2009, as the World Day of Social Justice.

www.patacluj.ro | info@patacluj.ro patacluj@gmail.com |fax. 0364/401479

| 24_ NEWSLETTER • January 2017

January 2017 24_NEWSLETTER February 21st - The International Mother Language Day International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year on 21st February. The main purpose of celebrating this day is to promote the awareness of language and cultural diversity all across the world. It was first announced by UNESCO on November 17, 1999.

Since then it is being celebrated every year. The date represents the day 21st February 1952 when four young students were killed in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, because of Bengali and Urdu language controversy. Languages are the most powerful way to preserve and develop culture and to promote it all across the world. Because of this unfortunate incident, International Mother Language Day is celebrated in all over the world, while it is a public holiday in Bangladesh.

Press Our partners from REACTOR for creation and experiment talked, on January 23rd at Transylvania Regional Café, about two performances part of the Reactor Social Platform that will further open to the public. Among the two the theater play Shelters produced within the Pata-Cluj’s open call for arts and culture will be freely performed on a monthly basis. The performance tackles the theme of precarious housing in Romania and started the documentation from the situation of the Pata Rat residents. https://youtu.be/7t9jrd1C-kU Our colleagues Emese and Anna were on the Női Szeszély TV show of Erdélyi Magyar TELEVÍZIÓ where they spoke about the soft guerilla action held within the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign 2016. They answered questions from the producer Noemi Bamagéri about activity in a warm and friendly atmosphere and could tell from personal a perspective about the project activities and about their experiences as women.

Női szeszély is a TV show of Transylvanian Hungarian Television, a private television addressing to the Hungarian minority in Transylvania. The broadcast our colleagues were invited to focuses on women’s activities from different fields: doctors, teachers or beauticians, hairdressers and lawyers, sharing both personal and professional stories. https://youtu.be/7ukOckvDlzQ

The Pata-Cluj project, fully named Social interventions for the de-segregation and social inclusion of vulnerable groups in Cluj Metropolitan Area, including the disadvantaged Roma is implemented by the Intercommunity Development Association, Cluj Metropolitan Area, in partnership with the Community Association of Roma from Coastei, Habitat for Humanity Cluj and AltArt Foundation. The project is financed by the Government of Norway through the Norway Grants 2009-2014 within the Poverty Alleviation Program (RO25).

Financial Mechanism Office, Str Joseph II 12-16 (post address) Bd du Régent 47-48, B-1000 Bruxelles www.norwaygrants.org or www.norwaygrants-povertyalleviation.org © EEA & Norwegian Grants, Financial Mechanism Office, 2014-2017

NORWAY GRANTS | 24_NEWSLETTER • January 2017

*** About the Norway Grants Through the Norway Grants and EEA Grants, Norway contributes to reducing social and economic disparities and to strengthening bilateral relations with the beneficiary countries in Europe. Norway cooperates closely with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA).

For the period 2009-2014, Norway’s contribution is €1.7 billion. Grants are available for NGOs, research and academic institutions, and the public and private sectors in the 12 newest EU member states, Greece, Portugal and Spain. There is broad cooperation with Norwegian entities, and activities may be implemented until 2016.

Key areas of support are environmental protection and climate change, research and scholarships, civil society, health and children, gender equality, justice and cultural heritage.

The content of this material does not necessarily reflect the official position of Norway Grants 2009-2014.

Camelia Badea Comunications coordinator for Pata-Cluj project Tel.: 0786/375 825 E-mail: camelia@patacluj.ro patacluj@gmail.com Website: www.patacluj.ro Facebook: www.facebook.com/PatadinCluj Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVqLCQJ 4ozYqZtRtTlcAnQ Issu: https://issuu.com/pata-cluj2

www.patacluj.ro | info@patacluj.ro patacluj@gmail.com |fax. 0364/401479

| 24_ NEWSLETTER • January 2017