03.06.2015

ROM-ACT: more inclusive validation systems needed in the EU

Roma are one of the groups experiencing significant social, educational and labour exclusion in Europe. While many of them have acquired valuable knowledge, skills and competences through working life, the majority do not hold formal qualifications.

Non-formal and informal learning validation represents for them a way to overcome and transform this situation. The ROM-ACT project’s main aim is to widen Roma women’s access to the validation systems.

Sustainable benefits for everyone

After conducting national and European research at the national levels, the project consortium is now pleased to launch the ROM-ACT policy paper. The Policy Paper presents proposals to overcome the main difficulties that disadvantaged groups have in regard to the non-formal and informal learning validation systems.

The recommendations cover six areas:

  1. Access to information on the validation systems, including benefits and requirements
  2. Offer of qualifications
  3. Validation process
  4. Cost of the validation process
  5. Specific support to overcome family-related barriers
  6. Training of staff involved in the validation process

If implemented, the informal and non-formal learning validation systems will be more widely used by Roma women as well as others, and that this will bring effective and sustainable benefits for communities and the wider society.

The next step is advocacy

The document is mainly addressed to the legislative and administrative actors but proposes suggestions also to institutions with responsibilities in this field who can take practical steps to improve Roma women’s access.

In order to make those target groups aware of this important paper, the partners of the ROM-ACT project will implement national and European lobbying campaigns in the next weeks.

The policy paper is currently available in English and soon also in Greek, Spanish, Romanian and Czech. Stay tuned at the dedicated page of the project website.

Text: Francesca OpertiPhotos: Francesca Operti

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