The Roma Education Fund is seeking an external evaluation to offer deeper understanding of the impact, gaps and challenges in funding Roma education. The results of the evaluation will be used to inform donors, board members and to influence the future strategy of the organization.
The Roma Education Fund (REF) was incorporated by the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and the World Bank in the framework of the Decade of Roma Inclusion in 2005. Its mission and major goal is to close the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma. In order to achieve this goal, the organization supports policies and programs which ensure quality education for Roma, including the desegregation of education systems.
Presently, donors include OSF, the World Bank, British, the Austrian, Finnish, German, Spanish, Swedish, and Swiss governments; private companies as Putumayo World Music; large foundations as the Network of European Foundations, the World Bank Community Fund, Tempus Foundation Hungary, and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ); as well as several individuals.
In addition, the European Commission and the Romanian Structural Funds-Management Authority have recently become REF donors REF provides additional assistance to countries to improve the educational outcomes of Roma. REF is designed to encourage changes in government policies and programs, build upon the lessons learned from successful interventions and pilot programs, and disseminate knowledge on issues affecting Roma in education. Active participation of the Roma community in all REF-funded activities is a prerequisite.
These five Programs are as follows:
- Project Support Program
- Scholarship Program
- Policy Development and Capacity Building Program
- Communication and Cross Country Learning Program
- Reimbursable Grant Program
The deadline for submitting applications is 22 May, 2012.
For further information, visit the link.
