The project combines sociological, theological, and historical research. The interdisciplinary project team will:
a) make an inventory of existing projects on a local level in two regions (Sibiu and Vâlcea) and promote best practice examples through workshops and trainings,
b) carry out case studies in five local communities about the interaction between religious actors and the Roma population, exploring both institutional involvement and lived religion, by using a participatory approach, both in research methodology and through initiating new practices locally, in concrete contexts.
c) launch small pilot projects based on the results of the case studies.
d) make research on the theological convictions which hinder or foster the role of the Churches in the inclusion of Roma people. The theological reflections include seminars with representatives of religious organizations and from other civil society organizations who meet religion as a resource and challenge in their work, with the goal to build a network that will continue after the end of the project.
e) conduct historical research on the evolution over the last 300 years in order to understand the difficulties, challenges, opportunities, and divergent narratives which still play a crucial role today in the relationship between the Roma population and religious institutions.
f) promote a participatory approach in all parts of the research, especially by involving representatives of the Roma population. This methodology is known in social work in Romania (Miftode 2004, Pascaru 2011), but not yet applied and studied in the context of church-related initiatives and the dimension of religion. Common training seminars in participatory research together with the Norwegian partner institution (with its experience in these methods) are a decisive part of the project.
By participating in this Romanian-Norwegian project, a group of graduate and Ph.D. students, post-docs, and junior researchers in Romania and Norway will develop methodological skills and experiences in interdisciplinary research. They will be able to use these competencies in their careers and for the building of stable academic networks.
In this way, the project initiates and strengthens the cooperation and knowledge transfer between the Romanian and the Norwegian university with the aim to establish a long-term partnership.