Launching GRIP 2025: Empowering Roma Communities in Slovakia for a Sustainable Future
We are excited to announce the launch of the GRIP 2025 project, a follow-up initiative to the successful GRIP – 2024, designed to ensure the continuous participation of marginalized Roma communities in Slovakia’s green transition. This initiative is driven by the need to address energy poverty, promote sustainable development, and foster socio-economic inclusion through research, advocacy, and education.
Addressing Urgent Challenges
While EU policies and Slovakia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan emphasize sustainability, marginalized communities, particularly the Roma, continue to face significant challenges. High unemployment rates, limited access to resources, and widespread energy poverty remain prevalent among these communities. The GRIP 2025 project seeks to change this by providing technical support, innovative solutions, and advocating for inclusive policies that integrate these communities into the green transition.
Key Objectives
The primary goals of GRIP 2025 are:
– To enhance the social inclusion of Roma communities while reducing energy poverty.
– To strengthen advocacy and build networks that promote sustainable development within marginalized Roma communities.
– To increase the technical capacity of municipalities and local partners, offering learning opportunities and better access to resources.
– To improve socio-economic conditions while minimizing environmental burdens.
Key Thematic Areas and Activities
1. Technical Assistance & Municipal Planning
We will support municipalities in sustainable development planning and help them access EU funds for green initiatives. This includes conducting energy audits to enhance energy efficiency and provide access to public funding for energy improvements.
2. Innovative Solutions
A cornerstone of the project is the development of a low-interest microcredit program designed to help Roma communities undertake energy-efficient housing renovations. Additionally, we are establishing a social enterprise at Luník IX, aimed at improving energy efficiency while creating jobs for local residents.
3. Education and Research
Our focus will also be on providing training programs that equip Roma communities with the skills needed to thrive in sustainable industries. Research will be conducted to assess the environmental health risks and ESG potential of Roma communities, and local sustainability initiatives and educational campaigns will be implemented to further the green transition.
4. Advocacy and Network-Building
Building an advocacy platform will be key to integrating Roma communities into green policies. The project will organize roundtable meetings to facilitate dialogue between local stakeholders, ensuring Roma representation in future sustainability policies.
Expected Impact
The GRIP 2025 project aims to:
– Improve energy efficiency and reduce energy poverty in Roma communities.
– Strengthen local capacity for sustainable policy-making.
– Foster long-term sustainability through institutionalized support mechanisms.
– Increase advocacy for Roma inclusion in green transition initiatives across Slovakia.
Strategic Fit with ECF Goals
Supported by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), this project aligns with their strategy to foster inclusive, sustainable development. GRIP 2025 contributes to the ECF’s key objectives, such as improving access to renewable energy, protecting vulnerable groups from energy crises, and developing adaptation strategies for disadvantaged communities.
Our Strength and Uniqueness
RESDI is uniquely positioned to lead this project, thanks to its interdisciplinary expert team, strong partnerships with municipalities and national stakeholders, and proven participatory methodologies. Our expertise in policy advocacy, technical assistance, and research ensures that the project will be effectively executed and scalable.
Sustainability and Growth Plan
This project is part of RESDI’s long-term strategy, with plans for continued collaboration with the European Climate Foundation and other funding sources, including Horizon Europe, DBU, and EUKI. By forming partnerships with municipalities and regional organizations, we will ensure financial sustainability and the potential for cross-border expansion.
Timely Action and Risk Management
Immediate action is critical to integrate marginalized Roma communities into ongoing EU sustainability policies. We recognize potential risks, such as political changes and limited expert availability, but we are confident that our diversified partnerships and proactive capacity planning will mitigate these challenges.
Conclusion
The GRIP 2025 project represents a sustainable, community-driven approach to integrating Roma communities into Slovakia’s green transition. By providing technical assistance, fostering innovative solutions, offering education, and promoting advocacy, we aim to create lasting improvements in energy efficiency, socio-economic inclusion, and environmental resilience. With the support of our partners and stakeholders, we are poised to make a significant impact on the future of Roma communities and Slovakia’s green transition.
