European Roma Spirit Award (ERSA) promotes active efforts in improving the situation and fostering social integration of the Roma, Europe’s largest and most excluded ethnic minority. The ERSA aims to combat discrimination and prejudice against Roma by raising the general public's awareness, and sensitizing public opinion to the Roma inclusion. The Roma Spirit project focuses on the presentation o
f positive actions taken in favor of the Roma. The project also focuses on appreciation of the active efforts of individuals and organizations to improve living conditions and foster dignified and meaningful integration efforts for the Roma minority. In order to raise awareness about the benefits of Roma integration both in Roma communities and among the general public the ERSA award brings a public recognition, higher visibility, and public presentation of activities that promote social inclusion and provide efficient and working solutions to the problems of the Roma community. The project is focused on public award, publicity and presentation of activities, which support integration of the Roma people by providing effective and functioning solutions for Roma community issues. Appreciation and presentation of positive examples serves as motivation for other subjects to engage in projects, which bring complex and long-term solutions to questions concerning Roma community. They are an inspiration for all those who choose to actively participate in solutions to the Roma issue, greatly influencing public opinion. ERSA also creates a space for promoting social cohesion, development of intercultural dialogue and elimination of any expressions of intolerance. ERSA supports mutual learning and the multiplication of good practices, by cooperation between authorities, NGOs and public sector, and encourages the active participation and cooperation at national and transnational level. GOALS:
• Public recognition of those individuals and organizations which are in their daily work actively involved in improving the situation of Roma.
• Informing about and promotion of activities of organizations and individuals supporting the integration of the Roma minority on international level.
• Developing multi-level dialogue between the institutions, organizations and individuals in the public space.
• Support for building partnerships between organizations and individuals active in the fields of promotion and presentation of national minorities.
• Presentation and promotion of the positive contributions of the marginalized Roma ethnic group through their rich cultural identity and tradition as an integral part of cultural heritage.
