Publications

“Urban Plans for Substandard Roma Settlements” provides an overview of 13 urban plans in 11 pilot municipalities, developed through the project of European Assistance to Roma Inclusion. Urban plans are a necessary first step in the process of improving the living conditions in substandard Roma settlements, providing a basis for any future intervention – regularization of settlement, construction of infrastructure, improvement and legalization of housing units. Plans were developed by local urban planning institutes and directorates, having a full participation of local resident communities and preservation of existing land-use and housing as main priorities. The publication is bilingual: in English and Serbian languages.

An assessment of substandard Roma settlements in 21 municipalities in Serbia was undertaken in order to define the list of priority measures that need to be implemented for the purpose of improving the living conditions in these settlements. This publication contains basic data on each settlement, with the list of priority activities and cost-estimations for their realization.

This publication resulted from the mapping of substandard Roma settlements in Serbia, for the purpose of creating a Geographic Information System (GIS) for monitoring the living conditions in them and planning future upgrading programmes at the national level. The publication gives an overview of general characteristics of all the substandard Roma settlements in Serbia, such as size, spatial distribution, quality of infrastructure, existence of urban plans, access to public services and land ownership

A factsheet explaining the work of the OSCE/ODIHR in promoting the human rights of Roma and Sinti and their integration in society.

“Housing Models for Substandard Roma Settlements: Guidelines for Local Self-Governments, civil society organizations and Roma community” is a handbook resulted from the work on the selection and refinement of the housing models used so far in Serbia for the improvement of housing conditions of Roma and other vulnerable persons. It provides guidelines for the implementation of 13 housing models, and contains descriptions, conceptual designs, technical parameters, construction materials to be used, as well as a list of necessary technical documentation including building and other permits, cost-estimations and timeline for each model. The publication aims to assist local self-governments, civil society organizations and other entities to effectively develop and implement their housing improvement projects on Roma settlements.

The Technical Assistance for Roma Inclusion (TARI) is a 4.8 mn EUR European Union-funded project, implemented by the OSCE Mission to Serbia, to assist Serbian institutions in the improvement of life of Roma people in the following areas: access to basic rights and civic participation, labour market, education, health, social welfare, adequate housing and job creation. Key stakeholders and implementing partners include the Office for Human and Minority Rights, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Policy, Ministry of Education Science and Technological Development, Ministry of Construction and Urbanism, NGO Praxis, the Roma Education Fund, the Government of Serbia European Integration Office and Social Inclusion and the Poverty Reduction Unit.

The study “Existing models of housing improvement for Roma: Social and affordable housing solutions for Roma and vulnerable population in Serbia” provides an overview of housing solutions, or models, that were implemented in Serbia so far in projects of improvement of housing conditions in substandard Roma settlements, and which could, with certain improvements, be used in future projects. The study was done within the housing component of the “We are here together – European support for Roma inclusion” project which is implemented by OSCE Mission to Serbia and financed by the European Union.

On 6-7 September 2012, the OSCE Gender Section hosted an expert roundtable focusing on the significant barriers faced by women from migrant, minority and Roma and Sinti communities in relation to social, economic and political integration. The report consolidates the recommendations from the roundtable and identifies potential actions and next steps for participating States, civil society and OSCE structures towards strengthening women from migrant, minority and Roma and Sinti communities to act as agents of change, as well as includes a a summary of the roundtable sessions, recommendations and examples of best practices highlighted by the participants.