'Slovakia' Party Criticises €17-million Project for Roma Communities

Bratislava, 2 February (TASR) - The opposition 'Slovakia' party has criticised a project aimed at marginalised Roma communities that is set to receive €17 million from EU funds, stating at a press conference on Monday that it's an inefficient use of money that won't bring about any real improvement in living conditions in Roma settlements and may provoke a negative reaction from Brussels. Former MEP Peter Pollak Sr. said that the project will cost approximately €85,000 per participant. "If we break this project down into small change, it comes to €85,000 per person for a certificate that won't help them in real life," he said, noting that approximately €9 million is to be allocated to project management and trainers. Pollak claimed that the project was developed on the quiet, without expert discussion or cooperation with mayors or people in the field. "No wonder the Slovak Towns and Villages Association also rejected it," he added. MP Lukas Buzo emphasised that people in the settlements primarily want jobs. "We want jobs, not certificates to put on our shelves," he said. MP Peter Pollak Jr. criticised the project, saying that, in his opinion, funds should be focused on preparing people for the labour market. The party representatives also stated that they'll inform their European partners about this, and they pointed to issues related to the results of investments in Roma communities. In this context, they mentioned the European Commission and the European Parliament. The 'Slovakia' party called on the government to halt the project and redirect funds to measures with a real impact, such as education, retraining, employment support and basic-infrastructure development in communities. am/df