start up budapest 20100216

8/4/2019 Start Up Budapest 20100216

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start upMetropolitan RomaApprentice Grant Project


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I have a dream that my four little children

will one day live in a nation where theywill not be judged by the color of theirskin but by the content of their character.Said Martin Luther King in his famous Ihave a dream speech. And, after 46 years,America elected a black president. Howmany actors, athletes, doctors, lawyers,and tram conductors, how many teachersand officials had to prove that our fellowmen ought to be judged by their characterand abilities and not by the color of theirskin.I am happy to see the kind gipsy tramconductor on the tram in Budapest, thedark skinned nurse in the medical centerdrawing blood and I was happy to trainmy social worker colleague to help adisillusioned job-seeker find employment. Iknow, and I unfortunately experience that

prejudice against minorities is growingstronger countrywide even though we area minority when we leave our country. Inour life we often have to go forward withcontrary winds and stand our ground.At such times every help becomes veryprecious, but every thorn, ill-willed remarkpulls us down.We have devised a program to start off

35 young Roma people. People who haveproven by their maturity, with their degreesthat they are capable of achieving the sameas their peers who were born in success.However, their achievement is muchgreater as it is more difficult to work ourway on river upstream, greater effort andperseverance are needed. The mentors,patrons, and trainers were all devoted and

provided personalized help for everyoneto find their place in the world of work in

public institutions.

Budapest is an inclusive city. Accordingly,there were eight other institutions in thecapital beside the local government thatapplied to give internship positions to theyoung people who had been accepted inthe project. It was our common goal tomake known the ways and maze of thepublic sphere as well as the rules andbeauty of public service. During the courseof six months the places of employmenthad an opportunity to witness first handthe commitment, stamina, and skills oftheir fellow Roma citizens. Most youngpeople wanted to excel through their work,performance and trustworthiness and notthrough belligerence. Prejudice gave itsplace to trust and generally the idea wasreinforced that every person is unique withvalues, limitations and possibilities that can

be improved.Finally, let me quote the mission statementof one of the interns: I had a moreimportant task: to set an example to theyouth; that, yes, it is possible to get onindependently of gender or the color ofskin and that there are opportunities inlife and it is a worthy endeavor to try tobecome better people.

Mrton KulinyiBudapest Esly Nonprofit Ltd.Managing director

Mrton Kulinyi:

1 http://www.dzsajbhim.hu/dr-martin-luther-king-van-egy-almom/


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I am lucky. While the year 2009 was the yearof terrifying, senseless and incomprehensibleRoma homicide and it was the year whenthe worldwide financial crisis reached ourcountry, I had the privilege of working in asuccessful project. One that has set as itsgoal that young Roma people with a highschool or a college degree would be a partof a six-month internship to start them off tofind employment in the labour market.It is not easy to enter the world of work andbecome rooted in it. Often even the ones start-ing from a not disadvantaged position haveto make serious efforts for years. Researchdone prior to the implementation of the pro-ject has shown that entrants have difficultiesin finding employment due to the lack ofwork experience and recommendationsfrom previous supervisors. The situationof Roma entrants is even more difficult

because of the discrimination that is presentin all areas of life, but we have chosen themas the target group of our project becausethey are significantly underrepresented inadministration, in the local government ofBudapest. I believe that the best way todissolve prejudice is experience, in this case,a trustworthy coworker.We were able to include 35 people into

the project out of the 85 applicants for theBeindt (Starting off) advertised as ascholarship opportunity supported by EGT,the Norwegian Financial Mechanism andthe Local Government of Budapest. Duringthe selection process we were guided bytwo goals: to secure the transparency of theselection process and on the other hand, wewere trying to find the best matches between

registered employer institutions of the local

government of Budapest and scholarshipapplicants as our companys motto says:The right person to the right place.Unfortunately, out of the 35 peopleincluded in the project we lost two right atthe beginning, but two were successfullyemployed in the primary labour marketbefore the expiration of the internship. Inthe end, 31 people finished the six-monthemployment. Their work and integrationwas guided by patrons and mentors trainedby the project, appointed by the employerwho knew the positions. In order to increasetheir competencies they participated inpersonality development training, Englishand IT courses. The primary purpose ofthe project was to ensure an opportunityto gain work experience and we could onlyhope that there will be some who can beemployed immediately after the project

ends. Even though our heart goes out foreach precious intern whose performancewas excellent, who have not yet managedto find employment. We are proud of the12 people who have already succeeded. Wehope that the others with their experienceand recommendations will soon findemployment.We did not achieve our success alone. Beside

EGT the Norwegian Financial Mechanism,we would like to give special thanks to theLocal Government of Budapest for alwayssupporting us in difficult situations, ourinvaluable partners in professional issuesRomassist public benefit association andStudio Metropolitana, to Daniel Ger whoworked as a senior mentor, and to thepatrons who worked the most with our

interns. Last, but not least, I would like to

thank the interns for their tenacity and

exemplary conduct.With this booklet we would like to presentthe values that surfaced in those whoparticipated in the project. The quotes fromthe interns writings and the patrons reportsreveal the different sort of viewpointchanges that started to happen, whatperspectives opened and what prejudiceswere solved by working together.

Finally, we summarize our experience andconclusions in 10 points. It is our hope thatwith this we can contribute to a successfulcontinuation.

Dvid HargitaiBudapest Esly Nonprofit Ltd.Project manager

Dvid Hargitai:


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Szilvia Nagyn Farkas

Projects such as this one give an opportunity to the employers to getto know us that us Roma people are the same workers as non Romas.

Still, primarily I have proven to myself that I am a good worker, goodlabourer and I am needed.

ZsuZsa Borsy PternZsuzsa Borsy Ptern /Szent Imre Hospital Financialdepartment manager /:

She adapted herself well to the community,she feels well in this workplace environment.She communicates more and better with herimmediate colleagues, but she certainly hasno problems in her relationship with othercolleagues.


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Rbert Czibi

Since the Beindt program provides opportunities in publicinstitutions in Budapest for gypsies to take part in the work with the

employees; the surfacing differences or similarities, the opening ofcultures can help shape judgment against Roma people and eliminatethe prejudices based on stereotypes.

sZaB tnde Katalin

Szab Tnde Katalin /Szent Imre Hospital Scientificlibrary librarian/:

I have never been more relaxed to be away fromwork I wrote in a letter to our HR manager ,because Robi does a great job. The PR office thinksthe same too.


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I have a lot to thank this program. I received new strength and mo-mentum to implement my ideas and I could get to know a few of my

friends and colleagues and I think that is amazing. I am grateful forthe opportunity and I am especially thankful that I can coordinate mycurrent work together with my partner who was my patron, I think Ihave managed to get the maximum out of Beindt

It is important to improvethe ability for acceptance inworkplaces

Krisztin Rcz

edina snta/Studio Metropolitana Kht. communicationsmanager/:

Motivated, enthusiastic colleague, has ideasand suggests innovative solutions, he has anadvanced strategic perspective.


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To be a children supervisor in not only a task: it requires devotion,continuous fight, humility, understanding, care, patience, tenacity, and

a willingness to do things but I had a more important task: to set anexample to the youth; that, yes, it is possible to get on independentlyof gender or the color of skin and that there are opportunities in lifeand it is a worthy endeavor to try to become better people.

Berki Erzsbet

aliBn Zoltnn

/ltes Mtys Elementary School childrensupervisor:

Working together and cooperation were veryuseful for the patroned person and the patronequally from a human as well as from aprofessional point of view.

I clearly felt, that being a young personwith a Roma background was an advantage.In the institution and in the home there aremany young Roma people so I was accepted

faster.

,,


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Jda Ben Dvid

My patron said that there have never been Roma people in theMayors Office in Budapest. This speaks for itself. They notice us andthey are interested in us. It happened to me that the security guard atthe gate had a hard time believing that I actually work here. Anothercolleague thought I was the gardener or I came because of plumbing;I did not even try to convince them otherwise. Should Roma peoplework in public institutions? I think they should, indeed. It cannot be, itshould not happen that gypsies would not be able to get on.

Pter radncZi

/Mayors Office Budapest Department of theEnvironment Department division manager/:

Dvid is helpful, willing to take on tasks andmakes an effort to fit in with the community atthe workplace.


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Beatrix Kiss

My gipsy background does not

show in strong visible features so Ihave never had a problem with that.The reason why I rather feel thedisadvantage of my background isthat my familys social-economicalstatus is very low due to whichI would have never had theopportunity to work in such

a prestigious cultural publicinstitution.

dr. ZalKa Pter/Museum of History Budapest PR manager/:

Everyone praised her attitude and diligence. Shewas very disciplined in helping selflessly, often

overtime.


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Pl Ruva

This project can become one of the model employment policies. Withthe case of 35 young Roma people it has proven that it is able to reach

successful results in helping in the lives of many more gipsy and non-gipsy people.It would be a great step in dealing with the present social tension if adialog developed between the parties and it does happen when webuild bridges with the help of such lifelike programs.

GyrGystefn/Than Kroly High School deputy headmaster/:

He is very determined in his work and doesan excellent job, moreover, he works with suchroutine, and compassion that will be missed verymuch later should his ways lead him somewhereelse from here. The headmaster of our institutionwas so satisfied with Palis work that he offeredhim a very similar contract to the one he hasnow, but he would be directly employed by theschool with a public servant status.

This project is a rm foundation onwhich we can safely build future ideas.


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Personally, I do not want and I would feel awkward if there werelower expectations than what the pace of work requires from me

because I am a gipsy.

Kormos sndor

/Mayors office IT department project leader/:

Nikolett is an open, honest person with a handson attitude. In our work relationship she hasproven her excellent communication skills andendurance in working.

Nikolett Kovcs-Titi


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Alz Rosts

the most important thing is that a gipsy customer could meetwell prepared, compassionate gipsy clerks, nurses, and doctors on our

side, that is on the offices side. People who they can trust with theirproblems because they know what they have to say will be properlytranslated to those who will make a decision in their case.

laK lsZln/Szent Imre Hospital HR management L abourissues facilitator/:

I was happy that in the person of Alz I had achance to get to know a kind, respectful, andhelpful young lady.


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Ilona Sztojka

I realized that they sincerely accept me and they are not afraid thatI have a Roma background when they left me alone in the office and

you could see their purses, cellphones just on their desks. I was theonly one who carried her stuff all over the place.

The best experience for me was when it was over, even people who Ihave not worked with at all came up to me to say goodbye.

erZsBet cssZrn dr. miKls/Mayors Office Budapest Housing department

division manager/:

Ilona fit in very quickly with the HousingDepartment Housing Economy Divisions work.She performed her tasks always with joy,attention, and very circumspectly. She was veryreliable with every administrative task and shesolved them accurately.

I am happy that I could participate in the prog-ram if for none else, but for the opportunity to

get to know Ilonka. I and my colleagues will verymuch miss both her person and her work.


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Special policies recommendation

The suggestions below are for those who believe that including thousands of young and ambitious Roma people

in the economy represents great value for the whole country. It is our purpose to help those employment policyprofessionals, decision makers who would like to act on a national level to have more efficient ways of helping Romapeople find employment. The Beindt project did not only prove to be an operational and successful labourmarket tool, but it can also efficiently help dissolve prejudice against Roma people as potential employees.

suGGestions

1. We suggest the harmonization of trainings for the gifted, various supports and employment help. We need

to help ambitious young Roma people to enter the world of work with a twofold service system, with twodifferent functions. One provides help with continuing education the other helps those who would like to beintegrated into the world of work. While the first is provided by already existing ways of support and institutes(e.g. Romaversitas), the other has to be given by intern scholarships systems similar to Beindt.

2. We suggest the extension of the scholarship system from the public sphere to the private and civil spheres.3. We suggest the national extension of the scholarship system with the involvement of local governments.4. We suggest to ensure the widest possible access to information about subsidies and opportunities for Roma

people.5. We suggest the maintenance of the principle of publicity and transparency in order to reinforce the social

appreciation for the program.6. For the sake of efficiency we suggest that the time of the internship be extended from six months to one year

and the follow up period from three months to six months.7. We suggest that the matching of interns to workplaces be based on the compatibility of competencies and not

on certification.

8. We suggest a harmonized operation of the mentor, patron and coach systems.9. In order to find the most motivated participants we suggest that not only the interns, but also employers and

mentors be screened.10.We suggest the scholarship system be complemented by personally tailored trainings such as language, IT as

well as extra services such as housing support, travel support or living expenses support.

The overall professional policy recommendation is available on www.pestesely.hu


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attila molnr

I participated in the preparation ofthe Beindt project and I was apatron too. During the preparation itwas nice to see that the leadershipof the local government by this Iactually mean the whole field ofpolitics and the leadership of theoffice stood up in unison for the

realisation of the project. Therehas not been any doubt, even fora second, that the members of thelocal administration are very stronglymotivated, they understand and feelthe particular importance of suchan initiative for every member of ametropolitan society.However, this was not the mostimportant experience and result ofthe program for me, but it was thosesix months that I spent as a patronduring which time I got to know avery gifted colleague. I managed todevelop a very good relationship with

her professionally as well as privately.The program gave me a like-mindedperson, and a coworker who isprofessionally well prepared, willingto learn and improve, ambitious andwants to go forward.

Attila MolnrLocal Government of BudapestFacilitator for equal opportunities

Judit dr. sZKely

As the State secretary responsiblefor employment and training at theMinistry of Social Affairs and LabourI have always considered the socialintegration of Roma people as well asthe development and implementationof programs promoting their equalopportunities of utmost importance.

As a member of the EuropeanUnion our country has joined therealisation of the Decade of RomaIntegration Program the purposeof which is the acceleration of thesocial and economical integration.There are numerous programs inthe j Magyarorszg Fejlesztsi Tervthat target the increase of labour-market participation and fostersemployability, but the assuranceof equal opportunities emerges asa horizontal premise in the EU aswell as in the national policies. Helpprovided for the improvement of

the disadvantaged social groups isan excellent tool for the eliminationof differentiation that counteractslabour-market participation anddiscrimination that is present inall areas of life. The Beindt In-tern Scholarship Project for RomaPeople in Budapest, funded by theEGT Norwegian Fund promoted theachievement of such goals and itmade it possible for 35 young Roma

people to gain work experience and

find employment at organisationsowned by the Local Governmentof Budapest. Congratulations to allthose who have succeeded to beemployed on the primary labourmarket during the time of this project . And to those who still facean intense time of job seeking I

wish success and persistence and Itrust that the experience gained inthe project did not only foster thedevelopment of professional skills,but that it will significantly contributeto fitting in later on.Finally, congratulations to all thosewho increased the employmentopportunities of young Roma peopleand improved the accessibility ofpublic services thereby contributingto a possibly more receptive conducton the part of employers and on alarger scale on the part of Hungariansociety to Roma identity in the

future.

Judit Dr. SzkelyMinistry of Social Affairs and LabourState secretary responsible foremployment and training


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The project is supported by the EEA Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism with the contributionof the Local Government of Budapest.Edited by: Dvid Hargitai, Dniel Ger, Kriszti n Rcz apprentice Professional lecturer: Mrton Kulinyi Photo: Gerg Demny, Bence Jrdny

norwaygrantsnorwegian financial mechanism

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