It is well established that the integral formation of Roma — including support for their spiritual, educational, social and cultural development — leads to a greater interest in education and work on their part. The project Education of Roma Youth in Slovakia is aimed at supporting education and personal development in 12 marginalized Roma communities across Slovakia.
The first planned outcome of the project is more systematic work in Roma communities, which can make pastoral work more effective. Across 12 Roma communities throughout Slovakia, home to 30,000 people in total, 34 pastoral workers are active. In order to improve pastoral work, we are analysing the pastoral activities carried out so far, training key staff and creating a competency profile for a pastoral worker. The second planned outcome is improving conditions in the pastoral centres — as part of which the roof of the centre in Bardejov–Poštárka, which before the project began was in a very poor state, is being repaired. The third planned outcome is a grant programme for young Roma students. Under it, secondary-school and university students from a socially disadvantaged background have the chance to receive a financial contribution towards their studies and continue on the path to education and a better life.
The project is being carried out by SAVIO o.z. in cooperation with the Swiss Salesian organization Jugendhilfe Weltweit (JuWe). It started in April 2022 and will be completed in September 2023. The total project budget is €149,962.51. Of this amount, JuWe is providing €134,962.51 through a private Swiss foundation, and €15,000 is co-financed by the Salesians of Don Bosco in Slovakia.
