Successful Roma Model of Political Representation

“Roma Participation in Local Elections 2007” Project (May 2007)

In the last decade, Roma issues in Albania have attracted the attention of numerous actors at the international and local levels, particularly as Albania moves toward EU and NATO integration. As a result there have been a considerable number of strategies designed and programs implemented in Albania addressing different aspects of the Roma minority. The main focus of these interventions has been sustainable development and integration with mainstream Albanian society. What these programmes and strategies have in common is that their commitment to ensure long-term financial sustainability is questionable.

Despite the large number of strategies and programs, one of the aspects not specifically targeted has been Roma political participation and representation. Roma people have regularly voted in parliamentary and local elections during the past 16 years of democracy, but have not had the opportunity to vote for their own candidates. According to different Roma NGOs in Albania in formal and informal meetings the lack of Roma representation was identified as a significant need among Roma communities.

This publication sets out a successful Roma model of political representation with the goal of increasing Roma participation and representation in the local elections of 2007. For more information on this publication please e-mail us at: cess@albnet.net
 

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