Background

The project EU Regional Action for Roma Education: Increased Education Support and Opportunities for Roma Students in the Western Balkans and Turkey (RARE), phase II constitutes a second phase of the already-implemented project during 2018-2021 by REF.

During the first phase of the project, the education services provided through the seven project countries (Albania – ALB; Bosnia and Herzegovina – BIH; Kosovo – KOS; Montenegro – MNE; North Macedonia – MAC; Serbia – SER; Turkey – TUR) amounted to involving more than 4500 Roma children and youth (from all educational levels) in education activities. The present project continues the gains and results of the initial project, while, at the same time, creating a well-founded base for children and youth inclusion and participation in education.

Objective

To support the graduation of Roma secondary school students and to increase their employability potential in the labour market. These activities are to be implemented through mentoring, tutoring, and other professional development services – internships, tailored trainings in professional development, computer courses, foreign language competences etc. The activities will serve to increase the employability potential of the young Roma in the labour market.

CONDITIONS FOR APPLICATION

Potential beneficiaries for the scholarship will be selected from the pool of Roma secondary school students enrolled in schools in the designed region of the project, Tirana, Berat, Elbasan, Korca and Fier. In order to encourage the education among Roma girls, they are eligible to apply even if they are from other cities outside the designed region of the project.

70 Roma secondary school beneficiaries will be chosen based on their self-declared ethnicity, GPA and school attendance, socioeconomic position, and motivation letter, among other criteria. Additionally, female applicants will be given preference in order to promote education among Roma girls. The following criteria and points will be used to make the decision.

APPLICATION

Secondary High School students who publicly identify themselves as Roma or Egyptian and are currently enrolled in high school for the 2023–2024 academic year, have to complete the online application: https://forms.gle/zgqxSkoctqKRvX5b6

DEADLINE FOR THE APPLICATION

The deadline to apply is until 18.02.2024.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF BENEFICIARIES

The interested candidate must apply through the online module. The project implementation team will review each application, and the best ones will advance to the interview round.

The applicants may receive the maximum of 55 points, based on the following:

• 4 to 10 points based on the GPA (according to the school’s official list). A signed and sealed official list from the school for the previous academic year must be submitted.
• 0 to 10 points for school attendance or absence (based on the school’s official list). The official list typically includes the students’ absences. If not, the student needs to present a signed and stamped official school document that lists all their absences from the previous school year.
• 0 to 10 points for socioeconomic status (based on a statement). A self-declaration form needs to be completed and signed by the parents, and some families can now use the e-Albania platform to create an official document.
• 0 to 10 points for the applicant’s motives (in a motivational letter). Students are required to write a motivation letter outlining their education, future goals related to their education, and other general issues. The letter’s methodology will also be evaluated, with an emphasis on facts and reality.
• 5 additional points for female applicants.
• Students with “0” absences earn an additional 5 points.
• Applicants outside the project’s designated geographical area who have an average over 8,00 and fewer than 20 absences will receive an additional 1 to 5 points.

The list shall be generated, from the applicant with highest points and will decrease until the 70^th student.

At the end of the deadline, the beneficiary will be notified via e-mail or phone number to appear for an interview, where in case of acceptance will fill the necessary forms and file entry documents needed.

Each candidate has the right to appeal, within a period of 3 days from the day of announcement of the results, the candidate may send it complain through e-mail to [email protected] The appeal must be justified, and to have attached the supported documents to the complaint. Complaints which are not justified by official documents will not be considered. Responding to the complaint filed will be given within three (3) days.

With the approved beneficiary students/families a contract will be stipulated that will include the obligations and rights of the Project (signed by the Executive Director of Roma Versitas Albania), the student and his/her family (signed by the student/beneficiary and one of the parents/legal tutor).

The beneficiary of this project will be discontinued participation in the project in case of presentation of invalid documents, false information, and if the recipient does not show progress (progress) in study and / or in case of abandonment of the studies/school.

For more information you can contact us via:

E-mail:  [email protected]

WhatsApp: +355 69 60 89 222