On 18 January 2014, the ROMACT and the ROMED 2 programmes will be officially launched in Italy, during a conference to be held in Milan on 18 January 2014. This event will be opened by Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Cécile Kyenge, Italian Minister of integration, Maria Cecilia Guerra, Italian Vice-Minister of Labour and Social Policies and John Warmisham, Vice-President of the Congress. Mayors and representatives of several Italian pilot cities notably Bari, Milan, Napoli, Pavia, Rome and Torino will also be taking the floor. ROMACT is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission implemented, with the support of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for Roma Inclusion, with the objective to enhancing political will and building the capacity of local and regional authorities in drafting and implementing plans and projects for Roma inclusion. ROMED2 is focusing on improving democratic governance and participation of the Roma community through mediation. ROMACT is at present being implemented in Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Italy jointly with the ROMED2.

Press release