Roma (in Kosovo also Ashkali and Egyptians) constitute the most marginalised people in Europe and are among the most vulnerable groups in the South-Eastern European Region (SEE). The urgency to address a sustainable integration of Roma and Sinti in Western and South Eastern Europe was addressed by OSCE participating states with the adoption of the Action Plan On Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area in 2003. Moreover, a number of Council of Europe documents give guidance to governments with specific recommendations on issues of concern within Western and South-Eastern Europe.

The global objective of this contract is to provide technical support and consultancy to the PISG and the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian representatives or representative bodies on the implementation of the Kosovo Roma Ashkali and Egyptian Integration Strategy.

The specific objectives are :
1. To develop a Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Integration Strategy with a participatory approach including Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian representatives, experts from the relevant line ministries and international stakeholders such as OSCE, Council of Europe, UNHCHR, UNHCR, UNDP. The Strategy is a policy document focusing on (i) housing and informal settlements, registration and documents, return and reintegration (ii) education (iii) employment and economic empowerment (iv) health and social issues, (v) anti-discrimination, minority rights, political participation and representation, policing (vi) gender (vii) culture, media and information.
2. To assist in the implementation of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Integration Strategy upon adoption by the Government in 2008. The co-ordination and responsibility of the PISG Strategy implementation lays with the Advisory Office for Good Governance, Human Rights, Equal Opportunities and Gender Issues (AOGG) in the Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo (OPM). The implementation of the various topics of the Strategy has to be done by the respective line ministries in co-operation with Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian representatives or other relevant representative bodies for minorities.