ABOUT US - IRCA
Mision:
To advocate for Roma equal access to citizen rights and public social services. Research to document and institutionalize Roma cultural heritage; Offer educational support and career advice to Roma students; Promote intercultural exchanges and friendly relations between Roma and non-Roma youth nationally and internationally.
Vision:
Roma identity and culture are recognized and valued as part of the national and world cultural heritage with young and other Roma generations being empowered to enjoy equality of civil rights and to have friendly cultural exchanges with the non-Roma population.
To advocate for Roma equal access to citizen rights and public social services. Research to document and institutionalize Roma cultural heritage; Offer educational support and career advice to Roma students; Promote intercultural exchanges and friendly relations between Roma and non-Roma youth nationally and internationally.
Vision:
Roma identity and culture are recognized and valued as part of the national and world cultural heritage with young and other Roma generations being empowered to enjoy equality of civil rights and to have friendly cultural exchanges with the non-Roma population.
Brief background:
History: IRCA started initially in 2011 as a group of Roma university youth who wanted to volunteer to help their community; later got incorporated as an NGO in 2012. It received funding from SOROS through RIO for “Institutional Support” for 3 years (2012-2014) and has implemented many projects funded from other sources.
Projects/ activities (some of them since creation): Romani Corps of Volunteers (IRCA); free books for school students (IRCA); REF program (IRCA); April 8 celebration (1st Roma Flash Mob in Albania, meeting at Parliament) (US Embassy); 1st Roma march ever in Albania; Roma Mediators in Fier (SOROS Shqiperi); Multiculturalism: Roma culture in University Curriculum (SOROS); Officially Changed Term from “tsigan” to “rom” at National Library (IRCA); Community Policing (Swedish Support); Roma Language Course (IRCA); Ongoing advocacy for Roma community members; Actively participated in forums and recommendations for Albanian Roma Decade 2005 – 2015 (IRCA); Albanian Government Action Plan for Inclusion of Roma & Egyptian (2015 – 2020); among others including education and promotion of Roma Culture and Traditions
IRCA is respected among its peer organizations and sought as a collaborative partner to address issues pertaining Roma population and culture in Albania.
Work: Impact of IRCA’s work fall in 4 main categories:
History: IRCA started initially in 2011 as a group of Roma university youth who wanted to volunteer to help their community; later got incorporated as an NGO in 2012. It received funding from SOROS through RIO for “Institutional Support” for 3 years (2012-2014) and has implemented many projects funded from other sources.
Projects/ activities (some of them since creation): Romani Corps of Volunteers (IRCA); free books for school students (IRCA); REF program (IRCA); April 8 celebration (1st Roma Flash Mob in Albania, meeting at Parliament) (US Embassy); 1st Roma march ever in Albania; Roma Mediators in Fier (SOROS Shqiperi); Multiculturalism: Roma culture in University Curriculum (SOROS); Officially Changed Term from “tsigan” to “rom” at National Library (IRCA); Community Policing (Swedish Support); Roma Language Course (IRCA); Ongoing advocacy for Roma community members; Actively participated in forums and recommendations for Albanian Roma Decade 2005 – 2015 (IRCA); Albanian Government Action Plan for Inclusion of Roma & Egyptian (2015 – 2020); among others including education and promotion of Roma Culture and Traditions
IRCA is respected among its peer organizations and sought as a collaborative partner to address issues pertaining Roma population and culture in Albania.
Work: Impact of IRCA’s work fall in 4 main categories:
- Community: activities focused to help the Roma community in areas of advocacy (housing, civil society, case management, etc), education, career counseling (job opportunities, profession, etc);
- Culture: promoting Roma cultural heritage and sharing Roma culture, history, traditions with non-Roma communities;
- Voluntarism: developing sense of voluntarism and community involvement among Roma and non-Roma youth;
- Staff Development: developing our own capacities to better serve our community and IRCA’s mission.
CONTACT US |
Mailing Address:
Institute of Romani Culture in Albania - IRCA Str. Myslym Shyri - S. Pitarka 24/b P.O. Box 154, Tirana 1001, Albania Tel/Fax: +355 (4) 2425717 email: [email protected] |
Directions:
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