The scope of our project is to draw the attention of both local authorities and local media towards Roma communities in Iasi County, Romania. We aim to bring their everyday problems (discrimination, poverty, unemployment, difficult living conditions etc.) closer to decision-makers, seeing that they are both under and misrepresented in this process. We plan and hope to change mentalities and realities by socially empowering them as a community.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Iasi
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
We will be working with Roma communities in Iasi County, whose presence online is constructed on websites and with the support and actions of the few Roma-oriented NGOs. There is a general lack of interaction between peer to peer/ peer to authorities/ peer to local media. We want to work with them closely as we believe that through active and consistent social networking, we could contribute to re-establishing their social and cultural profile.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
The selected participants will be trained to use Social Media tools properly according to the aims of our project: they will produce brief news items, interviews and feature stories that will reflect the main problems concerning these communities. All the resulting content will be distributed through social networking platforms such as blogs or Facebook pages and groups; for awareness, it will also be sent to the media and local authorities.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
There is an ongoing partnership with American Corner, which will host the planned training sessions, providing some of the logistics needed (PCs, Internet connection, etc.). The training will be conducted by local journalists, community managers and journalism professors from Iasi. Also, some introductory discussions have already been initiated with local authorities and local media outlets, in order to support the project development.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
We will be able to offer training to a maximum of 15 participants. For their selection we will collaborate with two local Roma-oriented NGOs, such as “Asociatia Romilor Ursari”, and “Gypsy Eye Association”. After selection, the participants will receive a syllabus of the training course, a schedule of activities and other tasks that they will have to complete. They will benefit from permanent assistance from our association members.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
If receiving one of the microgrants, the project will certainly need some support from Rising Voices, especially at the beginning of its implementation, when we will also be working to promote it. Some official statement from Rising Voices is to be added to our press releases in order to get more attention from the media. Also, a voice from Rising Voices might help to overcome the already anticipated reluctance of our local authorities.
Contact name
Chirap Anamaria
Organization
The Association for Journalism and Online Media