Roma families in Modriča move into new apartments

Keys to ten new housing units were handed over to Roma families in Modriča on Monday, December 18, 2017. Emrah Osmanović for the first time in his life moved with his family into the residence that provides all living conditions. “I thank the donor and everyone who provided us with a roof over our heads. New apartments represent a new beginning for us,” said ecstatic Osmanović.

Housing units were constructed as part of the Roma Action II project, funded by the European Union in the amount of EUR 2.5 million and co-financed by local authorities.

I am glad to be here today on behalf of the European Union and that we can deliver the keys to the beneficiaries. We have already handed over the keys to 46 families at different locations in the country. This project is continuing and its value is EUR 2.5 million. I would like to emphasize very good cooperation with the municipality of Modriča, with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, because without them this project would not have been successfully realized”, said Acting Head of Operations Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross Border Cooperation of the EU Delegation to BiH,Gianluca Vannini.

“I use this opportunity to thank to the European Union, the organizations ASB and Hilfswerk Austria International that helped implementation of this project. We will continue to cooperate with the European Union and all donors that can help solving the social issues related to Roma population”, said Deputy MayorNikola Savić.

The Roma Action project will significantly improve living conditions and socio-economic inclusion of 140 vulnerable Roma families in 9 municipalities/cities across BiH (Tuzla, Gračanica, Banovići, Kakanj, Zavidovići, Zenica, Bijeljina, Modriča, Brčko District BiH).

By now 56 housing units are constructed and in total 72 housing units are reconstructed. The project is implemented by Hilfswerk Austria International (HWA) in partnership with Arbeiter Samariter Bund Deutschland e.V (ASB) and the BiH Association Kali Sara – Roma Information Centre.

“Through cooperation and joint efforts of the European Union, local authorities, local and international NGOs we can reach these results and help those who need it most”, said Regional Director SEE, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland (ASB) Elmir Bojadzic.

Modriča municipality is one of nine local administrations in the project that strongly support Roma social inclusion. The municipality is actively participating in the project implementation and is providing co-founding in the amount of € 5,200 in addition to the land plot, all necessary permits and infrastructure connections.