"Start-up" Roma Trainee Scholarship in Budapest24 February 2010
The "Start-up” Roma Trainee Scholarship programme in Budapest was set up to help launch the careers of young educated Roma individuals, within the framework of which 35 young Roma individuals received the opportunity to engage in professional experience exchange at institutions promoting inclusion under the management of the Municipality of Budapest.
This project was set up through the support of the EEA/Norwegian Financing Mechanism and the Municipality of Budapest and organised by Budapest Chance Non-profit Ltd. and associated partners. The specific aim of this project involved employing young Roma individuals with baccalaureate or higher education degrees within the framework of a 6-month trainee programme. Graduates granted scholarships received these scholarships in the form of salary supplements during traineeship. Project participants presented results achieved and project perspectives at a press conference.
Even though people living in Budapest are better off than the average person at national level, the employment chances of individuals belonging to the Roma minority are well under those of the population as a whole. Young Roma individuals and women are in a particularly bad situation. A higher number of individuals are beginning to obtain qualifications in the Roma population, whilst studying and qualifications are now also better appreciated particularly in urban families where several generations live in the same household. However, after obtaining a degree, young Roma individuals face further difficulties. On the one hand, employers are not very keen on hiring them on account of how they are career starters and lack professional experience, whilst on the other hand, because they still invoke animosity in many employers.
The aim of the scholarship programme set up by the Hungarian Government and affiliated sponsoring funds is to help change this situation.
During the traineeship period, individuals granted scholarships had the opportunity to gain professional experiences in scopes of work corresponding to their qualification and competencies. Within the framework of this programme, these individuals had the opportunity to become acquainted with their vocation, gain insight into the life and operation of organisations undertaking public duties and acquire professional experience in connection with services provided on the grounds of rules applicable in state administration within the scope of public service operating within an institutional setting. A mentor equally provided help to gain a better understanding of the given organisation and promote workplace integration. This mentor is an employee with several years of professional experience in the given profession or trade at the organisation willing to employ these individuals who actively helps the adjustment of new young employees. Training and individual coaching also helped these young individuals start up their career.