© Council of Europe

The 4^th edition of the Dosta! Congress Prize for Municipalities is now open.

Following the success of the previous editions, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion of the Council of Europe is once again partnering the Dosta! Campaign run by the Support Team of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma Issues, as part of its ongoing work to strengthen the role of local and regional authorities towards social inclusion of Roma¹ and protection of their rights.

The Dosta! Congress Prize is awarded to one or more cities and/or regions from Council of Europe member states that have implemented innovative and creative initiatives to effectively ensure the long-term inclusion of the Roma communities within their borders, while respecting the diversity of these communities and ensuring their active participation in local democratic life.

The winning project(s) will receive the Dosta! Congress Prize for Municipalities during a ceremony organised by the European Alliance of Cities and regions and the Support Team of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma Issues on the occasion of the Congress’ 25^th Session, which will take place at the headquarters of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg between 29-31 October 2013.

Eligibility

The competition is open to local and regional authorities from Council of Europe member states, who have run projects regarding Roma¹, be they nationals or more recent migrants.

Criteria for participation

Local and regional authorities should be the main stakeholders of the initiative. Projects should be innovative in their field of action and transferable as a model of good practice for implementation by municipalities elsewhere.

In addition, projects or initiatives submitted should fulfil at least two of the following criteria:

· Raise, directly or indirectly, public awareness on Roma rights and culture in order to fight against stereotypes and prejudice towards Roma (through the media, educational systems and institutions, and local authorities);

· improve the effective access of Roma to social rights (housing, employment, education, health, for example through the use of Roma mediators);

· promote intercultural and interethnic dialogue;

· promote diversity in community life;

· promote active democratic participation.

When and how to apply?

Applications must be submitted using the official application form, available for downloading in English and French through our website (see below) as of 1 June 2013.

Applications should be accompanied by the following:

- a description of the project/initiative (characteristics, objectives, results);

- proof of budgetary allocation from the local/regional authorities;

- proof of the active participation of the Roma community concerned.

The deadline for submission of applications is 5 August 2013.

Applications forms can be sent to: roma.team@coe.int and by post to Support Team of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma Issues, 1 Quai Jacoutot, Cedex 67075, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France.

Jury

The Support Team of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Roma Issues and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in cooperation with the European Roma and Travellers Forum will be responsible for shortlisting the projects/initiatives. Award winners will then be chosen by an international jury composed of personalities in charge of issues relating to Roma and Travellers, as well as Roma representatives.

Winners

The prize giving ceremony will take place in Strasbourg on 29-31 October 2013 and the winners of the prize will be invited to attend it. The winning city/region will also be featured on the Alliance website and invited to share the experience with other cities and regions by hosting one of the events of the Alliance.

¹The term 'Roma' used at the Council of Europe refers to Roma, Sinti, Kale and related groups in Europe, including Travellers and the Eastern groups (Dom and Lom), and covers the wide diversity of the groups concerned, including persons who identify themselves as 'Gypsies'