HISTORY
The Resource Center for Roma Communities Foundation (RCRC) (Fundatia Centrul de Resurse pentru Comunitățile de Romi) was set up in December 1999 as a spin-off organization of the Open Society Foundation, with the mission to contribute to the improvement of the life conditions of the Roma communities in Romania.
RCRC is a strong partner for Roma NGOs and communities, perceived as an efficient and credible organization by Roma communities and NGOs, public administration structures and private institutions.
In the past two decades, RCRC has been actively engaged in civil society development actions, training programs, community facilitation, promotion of Romani culture and language, antidiscrimination actions, the creation of a new young Roma elite, education, employment, public participation of Roma etc. An essential value is the active participation of Roma in all aspects of community life.
The operational activity of RCRC includes training programs, consultancy and comprehensive community development in Roma communities. The grantmaking activity of RCRC has involved managing grants and scholarship programs, including the administration of the European Union’s and EAA grants programs focused on health, vocational training, small infrastructure and income generating activities.
RCRC set out to develop a wide spectrum of partnerships and numerous contacts with donors, and it has focused on programmes of the European Union as a significant and durable source of funds – approximately 80% of the funds originate from EU programmes, including structural Funds – European Social Fund.
RCRC currently has around 14 employees, as permanent staff involved in the administration of programmes, accountability, management. In addition, there are between 15 to 80 collaborators working at national level, involved in implementing activities associated with current programmes. .
