Contact:Tarlungeni Open Space ProjectUniversity of Sheffield EnterprisePortobelloSheffieldSouth YorkshireS1 4DP

tarlungeni@gmail.comwww.tarlungeni.tumblr.com0780678367701515262972

Tarlungeni Open Space ProjectProposal Document

BackgroundRoma communities across Europe are subject to widespread discrimination and live a marginalised existence in extreme poverty. Although the Roma community settled in Tarlungeni, Brasov county, over 100 years ago, continued discrimination and disempowerment have seen them remain a sub community on the village’s periphery (see location map on back page). Located on land previously used for waste disposal, adjacent to a polluted local river, the Roma village’s appearance is a noticeable reflection of ongoing poverty.

The picture above reveals the view from the Tarlungeni village entrance, the first, and often only, impression outsiders have of the Roma community.  The appearance helps endorse existing prejudices against Roma people while contributing to the ghettoisation of the sub village.  Other residents avoid contact with the Roma community, exacerbating myths and prejudices.

Tarlungeni Open Space ProjectFighting poverty and segregation of Roma communities in Tarlungeni, Romania

This project is in partnership with FAST (Foundation for Social Assistance and Youth), Romania. An invitation from FAST to create a proposal for an area of unappropriated land in the village saw the emergence of the Tarlungeni Open Space Project in July 2010. The initiative focuses on a site near the entrance to the village which is currently covered in waste. It aims to empower local people to improve their village environment.

1 October 2010 Clear the rubbish along the riverside and initiate waste collection pilot project.

2 March 2011 Prevent further erosion of the riverbank by reinforcing the area with gabions.

3 June 2011 Create productive communal facilities (such as a play area for young children) as determined by community workshops on the new reinforced riverside.

.

Tarlungeni Open Space Project is a resident lead initiative to develop much needed communal facilities.Our main aims and objectives are to:

- Empower local people to improve their village environment. Workshops and resident leadership will give villagers control over the design and construction of the new facilities. The process will support and strengthen incipient community infrastructure.

- Challenge the prejudices and ghettoisation endorsed by the current appearance of the village.

- Foster community relations through creating facilities that residents can take ownership of. Where ingrained poverty has led to individualistic attitudes, it is important to support community cooperation.

The overall project is broken down into three stages for two reasons: a) to allow time to raise sufficient funding and b) to avoid creating unachievable expectations in the community.

FAST (Foundation for Social Assistance and Youth)Our partner FAST has worked for over 10 years in Tarlungeni, resulting in a high level of understanding and a sucessful relationship with the community. The charity’s Better Homes program has made considerable achievements in its efforts to address substandard housing. This has involved building new homes as well as supporting improvements to existing ones through technical, financial and material support. The program has challenged prejudices by demonstrating the Roma community’s engagement and investment in self improvement.

FAST has strong links with UK, receiving the support of numerous community and church groups. The charity has worked with University of Sheffield since 2007. Tarlungeni Open Space Project will be coordinated and evaluated by Huan Rimington and Hannah Martin, research graduates from the university’s School of Architecture.

Phase 1 Funding Proposal October 2010 - Waste DisposalWe believe that the only long term solution to the dumping of waste is integrating the Roma community with the local municipalities’ services.  However, because the local authority is hostile to the Roma population, an externally funded pilot project is necessary to bring about this outcome.

The pilot will involve the provision of bins, plot fencing and refuse collection by horse and cart to the 18 houses nearest the main (serviced) road.  

Project to provide 12 bins (6 already have bins) and 9 x plot fencing (9 already have fencing)

Bins: (ea) = 210 RONFencing: Average plot size = 10m frontageSteel post = 100 RON, Timber = 500 RON / m2, Gate fixing =100 RONFencing per plot = 5 posts + (10 x 2 x 0.025)m2 timber + gate fixing = 850 RONTotal pilot project cost = 2000 GBP

To fund the scheme, we are seeking to raise £2000 altogether.  We would like to seek your support for this first, important step to improve the welfare of the Tarlungeni Village Roma Community. Phase 1 will commence as soon as the funding is received.

Riversi

de

Main Road

1

2

4

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

no fence needed

no fence

needed

11

5

3

12

Entrance to Roma settlement, Tarlungeni 2007

Entrance to Roma settlement, Tarlungeni 2010

Roma children, Tarlungeni

The eroded riverbank, Tarlungeni

Rubbish dumped along the riverside

Background: Roma villagers, TarlungeniForeground: Roma children in the local kindergarten

Map of bin proposal along the river side of the Roma settlement, Tarlungeni

BackgroundRoma communities across Europe are subject to widespread discrimination and live a marginalised existence in extreme poverty. Although the Roma community settled in Tarlungeni, Brasov county, over 100 years ago, continued discrimination and disempowerment have seen them remain a sub community on the village’s periphery (see location map on back page). Located on land previously used for waste disposal, adjacent to a polluted local river, the Roma village’s appearance is a noticeable reflection of ongoing poverty.

The picture above reveals the view from the Tarlungeni village entrance, the first, and often only, impression outsiders have of the Roma community.  The appearance helps endorse existing prejudices against Roma people while contributing to the ghettoisation of the sub village.  Other residents avoid contact with the Roma community, exacerbating myths and prejudices.

Tarlungeni Open Space ProjectFighting poverty and segregation of Roma communities in Tarlungeni, Romania

This project is in partnership with FAST (Foundation for Social Assistance and Youth), Romania. An invitation from FAST to create a proposal for an area of unappropriated land in the village saw the emergence of the Tarlungeni Open Space Project in July 2010. The initiative focuses on a site near the entrance to the village which is currently covered in waste. It aims to empower local people to improve their village environment.

1 October 2010 Clear the rubbish along the riverside and initiate waste collection pilot project.

2 March 2011 Prevent further erosion of the riverbank by reinforcing the area with gabions.

3 June 2011 Create productive communal facilities (such as a play area for young children) as determined by community workshops on the new reinforced riverside.

.

Tarlungeni Open Space Project is a resident lead initiative to develop much needed communal facilities.Our main aims and objectives are to:

- Empower local people to improve their village environment. Workshops and resident leadership will give villagers control over the design and construction of the new facilities. The process will support and strengthen incipient community infrastructure.

- Challenge the prejudices and ghettoisation endorsed by the current appearance of the village.

- Foster community relations through creating facilities that residents can take ownership of. Where ingrained poverty has led to individualistic attitudes, it is important to support community cooperation.

The overall project is broken down into three stages for two reasons: a) to allow time to raise sufficient funding and b) to avoid creating unachievable expectations in the community.

FAST (Foundation for Social Assistance and Youth)Our partner FAST has worked for over 10 years in Tarlungeni, resulting in a high level of understanding and a sucessful relationship with the community. The charity’s Better Homes program has made considerable achievements in its efforts to address substandard housing. This has involved building new homes as well as supporting improvements to existing ones through technical, financial and material support. The program has challenged prejudices by demonstrating the Roma community’s engagement and investment in self improvement.

FAST has strong links with UK, receiving the support of numerous community and church groups. The charity has worked with University of Sheffield since 2007. Tarlungeni Open Space Project will be coordinated and evaluated by Huan Rimington and Hannah Martin, research graduates from the university’s School of Architecture.

Phase 1 Funding Proposal October 2010 - Waste DisposalWe believe that the only long term solution to the dumping of waste is integrating the Roma community with the local municipalities’ services.  However, because the local authority is hostile to the Roma population, an externally funded pilot project is necessary to bring about this outcome.

The pilot will involve the provision of bins, plot fencing and refuse collection by horse and cart to the 18 houses nearest the main (serviced) road.  

Project to provide 12 bins (6 already have bins) and 9 x plot fencing (9 already have fencing)

Bins: (ea) = 210 RONFencing: Average plot size = 10m frontageSteel post = 100 RON, Timber = 500 RON / m2, Gate fixing =100 RONFencing per plot = 5 posts + (10 x 2 x 0.025)m2 timber + gate fixing = 850 RONTotal pilot project cost = 2000 GBP

To fund the scheme, we are seeking to raise £2000 altogether.  We would like to seek your support for this first, important step to improve the welfare of the Tarlungeni Village Roma Community. Phase 1 will commence as soon as the funding is received.

Riversi

de

Main Road

1

2

4

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

no fence needed

no fence

needed

11

5

3

12

Entrance to Roma settlement, Tarlungeni 2007

Entrance to Roma settlement, Tarlungeni 2010

Roma children, Tarlungeni

The eroded riverbank, Tarlungeni

Rubbish dumped along the riverside

Background: Roma villagers, TarlungeniForeground: Roma children in the local kindergarten

Map of bin proposal along the river side of the Roma settlement, Tarlungeni

Tarlungeni

TotalÊPopulation:Ê7657*TotalÊRomaÊPopulation:Ê2300Êapprox.