INVAC: INITIAL AND CONTINUOUS TRAINING OF ROMA PARAPROFESSIONALS IN EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE OF VULNERABLE AND DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN

Roma children belong to a social group exposed to multiple forms of discrimination. Roma paraprofessionals, alongside other professionals and educational leadership, play a key role in achieving successful education by eliminating many of the barriers Roma children face. At the same time, they are often undervalued and rarely receive professional support. This project aims to develop higher-quality support for Roma (para)professionals both transnationally and locally so that they can effectively support Roma children and promote equality and quality education for all children in general.

Activities include:

• A study visit to Bulgaria and Hungary (to explore models of Roma training and professionalization)
• A study visit by the Slovak delegation to Croatia (Međimurje) and the Croatian delegation to Slovakia (Spišská)
• Various needs-mapping and training activities for Roma (para)professionals in both countries
• Development of a range of resources (guidelines, frameworks, tools, and recommendations)
• Final conferences, as well as national and international dissemination and advocacy activities

The project resulted in the development of internationally informed and locally applicable Guidelines for Initial and Continuous Professional Development and Professionalization of Roma Paraprofessionals, which include:

• Mapping of existing practices and needs analysis (in two countries and internationally)
• A competency framework for Roma assistants/mediators
• A self-assessment and continuous professional development planning tool
• A training and professional development framework
• Pathways to professionalization (such as RPL—Recognition of Prior Learning, flexibility, micro-qualifications, student support, employment support, and other models)
• Public policy recommendations

These Guidelines support various stakeholders (Roma paraprofessionals, educational institutions, CPD providers, teacher education universities, policymakers) in establishing individual, institutional, national, or international processes and policies aimed at supporting and professionalizing Roma in education in order to improve the quality and equity of education for disadvantaged Roma children.

More about the project’s resources and activities can be found in the gallery (training for Roma assistants and coordinators in Play Centers, and study visits in Croatia and Slovakia) and on the REYN website.

Duration: 01.09.2023 – 31.08.2025 Lead organization: POU Korak po korak