This project was implemented in a partnership of 9 partners convinced of the paramount importance of challenging stereotypes against Roma community and willing to campaign and take action locally. The project had two main aims: to build up capacity and know-how of local actors engaged in anti-discrimination work relating to Roma in general and Roma children in particular; and to support them in developing local/regional campaigns to challenge stereotypes and highlight good practices through a transnational exchange programme.

One of the key elements of the project was the Local Action Group (LAG) created by each I AM ROMA partner. This small core group was responsible for developing the local campaign and a wider network of key actors and organisations working in the territory in relation to Roma issues. The LAG consisted of three types of actors:

• Those who were well “connected”: those who had extensive contacts (professional and social). These were people who were connected into different niches and sub-cultures. These were “activists” in the field.
• Those who   had “knowledge”,  who were sources of data. These were researchers, policy makers, etc.
• Those who were salespersons – people who had the skills to persuade and spread the message. These were people in the media, artists, etc.

Each LAG was led by a LAG coordinator who was responsible for implementing at local level the action-plan agreed. The work of each LAG was supported by an online programme of activities that developed the work undertaken in the transnational exchange programme.

The first transnational workshop, hosted by Sintra Municipality on 26-29 September 2011, was a capacity-building event focusing on the theme of “Developing local campaigns to challenge negative stereotypes”. The workshop dealt with the issues of Roma Rights and sought to empower the participants to take action locally in increasing their knowledge of relevant EU legislation and policies and in nurturing their local strategy with relevant materials and a clear methodology before starting to develop their action plans.

The second transnational workshop, hosted by the Intercultural Institute of Timisoara on 22-25 May 2012 brought together delegates from the LAG as well as external experts in relation to Roma and Campaigning. It focused on an exchange of good practices and development of Local Action Plans.

Read more about the project at: http://www.ludenet.org/projects/i-am-roma