Swiss project on Roma children closes with recommendations for innovative social services

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Swiss Ambassador in Albania Christoph Graf and Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Blendi Klosi addressing the closing conference of CEFA project. Olsi Shehu

Primary school ’29 Nëntori’ was full of guests today: the closing conference of the project ‘Alternated Education and Vocational Training’ – CEFA - took place with the participation of Minister of Social Welfare Blendi Klosi and Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf.

Best practices from the project and from Switzerland were discussed during the conference. Key speakers praised the ‘direct’ and ‘innovative’ approach that the CEFA projects applied during years of working to bring Roma children back to school.

“I encourage the Ministry, municipalities and other stakeholders to continue working hand in hand in finding how to best deal with social services for communities in need. I do hope that CEFA will have a sustainable effect on the support of Roma and other communities, also after project closure”, said Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf.

Minister Blendi Klosi spoke about the need for a “social welfare pact” where not only the Ministry but also other institutions like the municipalities, non-governmental organisations and international donors to coordinate efforts so that “models can become long-term mechanisms”.

Also present at the conference was the UN representative Brian J. Williams whose organisation has been active in assisting the social inclusion of Roma communities. The event was greeted also by Brunilda Paskali, Deputy Mayor of Tirana.

An interesting presentation came from Bernard Wandeler of the University of Social Sciences, Luzern, Switzerland, who spoke about Swiss social services systems and functioning.

The CEFA project touched on many aspects of work with Roma families and leaves behind some valuable experiences especially related to how municipalities can best support these communities. It introduced in practice how decentralized, delegated social services can function without burdening municipalities or central government. Its work brought twofold results: (i) direct benefits from the Roma and marginalised communities; (ii) improved capacities of local government and Ministry to provide social services.