Purpose:  The purpose of the collaboration between the Social Organisation of the Municipality of Patras and the University of Patras is to address the educational inequality and marginalization faced by Roma students. The main objective is to strengthen and support these students, enabling their integrated integration into the formal educational process. By implementing a range of targeted actions, such as creating remedial teaching sections, conducting motivational activities and training workshops, and involving parents in supporting their children's education, the initiative aims to improve the conditions for Roma students' participation in the educational system. The ultimate goal is to prevent dropout and enhance the educational opportunities and living conditions of Roma pupils, fostering their full integration into the formal education system.

Stimulus/Rationale: The stimulus behind the collaboration is the recognition of the educational inequalities and marginalization faced by the Roma community in Patras. The rationale is to provide targeted support and interventions to address these challenges and improve the integration of Roma students into the formal educational process.

Process: The process involves a collaborative effort between the Social Organisation of the Municipality of Patras and the University of Patras to strengthen and support Roma students' integration into the formal educational process. Through their respective units, the "Unit for Roma" at the Community Centre of the Municipality of Patras and the project for supportive interventions for Roma communities implemented by the Department of "Educational Sciences and Social Work" at the University of Patras, specific actions are undertaken. These include the establishment of supportive teaching teams, problem-solving and empowerment sessions for Roma pupils, and awareness events for Roma parents to emphasize the importance of their children's active involvement in the learning process and school activities. The current collaboration is in force from 23rd February 2022 until 23rd February 2025, providing a three-year timeframe for the implementation and evaluation of the various actions aimed at addressing educational disparities and fostering the full integration of Roma children into the formal education system in the Region of Western Greece.

Impact: The collaboration between the Social Organisation of the Municipality of Patras and the University of Patras has shown promising results in addressing educational disparities and marginalization among the Roma community.  By implementing targeted actions such as supportive teaching teams, problem-solving sessions, and parental engagement, the initiative has achieved a 100% success rate in the exams taken by beneficiaries of the Community Centre of the Municipality of Patras-Roma Branch. The efforts have contributed to fostering a more inclusive learning environment and enhancing the integration of Roma students into the formal educational process. The current success of the collaboration demonstrates its potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Roma pupils in the Region of Western Greece.

Key reference documents: Collaboration Agreement:  Social Organisation of Patras Municipality and University of Patras