According to the project partners, besides often struggling with managing their family budget, the target group also has problems finding reliable information and using customer services. This is why the consortium developed a training programme and several supporting materials to support the financial literacy of the Roma population.
To better understand the financial literacy needs of the Roma, the consortium carried out a study in all partner countries: Slovenia, Italy, Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Slovakia. Based on the findings, the partners developed a 56-hour training for young Roma adults, which consists of four modules: Household budgeting, Saving for the future, Borrowing sensibly, Increasing income.
Then the consortium developed several training materials, for example a didactical board game Romonopoly, which focuses on financial concepts and real-life financial education.
Active involvement of learners
The project saw active involvement of members from the Roma community and many professionals working with them who provided the necessary contacts and expertise.
Roma learners were engaged not only in the research phase, but also in the development of the didactical game, pilot trainings and dissemination. They not only enhanced their skills (in terms of digital literacy, entrepreneurship and foreign languages) but also increased their motivation for learning.
Although the project has ended, some still participate in other forms of training. Teachers, professionals and Roma mediators were also trained on the use of the materials.
The trainings developed during the project are easily replicable – the deliverables are accessible in seven European languages online and in libraries.
The project: Finally Roma – Slovenia
- Award category: European projects (Slovenia)
- Learner target group: Roma population
- Innovative practice: Active involvement of learners in the project developments
Project coordinator
- Organisation: Development and Education Centre Novo mesto
- Contact: MSc Gabi Ogulin Počrvina
Project partners
- Codici Social Research Agency (Italy), Trnava University (Slovakia), Health and Social Development Foundation (Bulgaria), University of Piraeus Research Center (Greece), Techniki Ekpedeftiki KEK SA (Greece), Faculty of Economics Niš (Serbia), Action Synergy S.A.
Resources
The article series shares good practices on engaging new learners by introducing the nominees of the EAEA Grundtvig Award 2017.
Text: Lou-Andréa PinsonPhotos: Finally Roma