The NGO Young Roma requested an amendment to the draft budget of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje for 2021
- Details
- Wednesday, 02 December 2020 12:59
NGO Young Roma sent a letter to the president of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje regarding the draft budget of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje for 2021.
One of the proposals is to provide funds in the budget in the amount of 250,000 Euros for social housing of Roma. The goal is to provide the necessary amount of funds for the permanent solution of the housing issue of Roma living in Rakonje settlement.
NGO Young Roma suggested that in the part concerning the funds allocated for NGO's, 3% (approximately 5,000 Euros) can be intended for non-governmental organizations dealing with Roma issues.
It is also necessary to define the amount of funds allocated for the implementation of the Local Action Plan for Roma Integration.
Within the transfers intended for individuals, 1% (approximately 5,000 Euros) of funds should be allocated for the improvement of Roma education.
The NGO Young Roma proposed that part of the funds allocated to the institutions, 1% (approximately 15,000 Euros) can be allocated for employment programs for the Roma population.
NGO Young Roma believes that the current draft budget does not contain any item that would allocate funds to improve the position of the Roma population in the municipality of Bijelo Polje. That fact was the reason for us to send our proposals to the municipal leadership, especially having in mind the poor housing situation of Roma living in the Rakonje settlement.
NGO Young Roma points out that in 2010, the Municipality of Bijelo Polje received funds from the Ministry for Minorities in the amount of 150,000 Euros to resolve the housing issue for eight Roma families from the settlement of Rakonje. However, contrary to the purpose, the Municipality used these funds for the construction of a residential building for pensioners in the Ribarevine settlement.
The NGO Young Roma hopes that the leaders of the Municipality will recognize the importance of these proposals and make a fair decision that is in the interest of both Roma living in Bijelo Polje and other residents of this city.
