Mapping Roma Economic Initiatives

Recognizing problems faced by Roma, the OSCE Mission in Serbia implemented a large scale project, Technical Assistance for Roma Inclusion (TARI) funded by the EU instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA 2012), to provide opportunities for a number of Roma to be integrated into the Serbian society, with the main objective being to raise employment levels.

Mapping of existing practices of employing Roma in Serbia was conducted as part of this project, particularly focusing on Roma entrepreneurship, identifying best practices for employing Roma, self-employment, and Roma as company managers. 175 initiatives which employ Roma men or women, or where the owner or manager is Roma man or woman were identified.

Once mapping was complete, initiatives/enterprises wishing to advance and expand their business and open new jobs for Roma men and women were chosen through a competitive selection process. They were provided with support in equipment and professional assistance for improving their business, as well as training for newly employed Roma men and women.