Effect of state interferences and development acts on disadvantaged Roma community

Principal investigator: Cecília Kovai

Grant: NRDIO PD 121058

Period: 2017 - 2020

Project questions and objectives:

The research studies how different state intervention and development activities such as the Public Work Scheme and the ‘Tanoda programs’ affect underprivileged Roma communities in disadvantaged rural regions. The research focuses on changes of role of the Public Work Scheme, while examining the role and impacts of Tanoda programs on social mobility strategies of underprivileged Roma communities.

Research history:

The antecedent of research is the Principal Invetisgator’s doctoral thesis which she carried out in a Gypsy settlement of a village in northern Hungary form 2000 to 2013. The doctoral research examined the changes in the Gypsy-Hungarian distinctions and the ways of organizing disadvantaged Roma communities. The dissertation was also published in a book entitled Gypsy-Hungarian Distinction and Kinship.

Research methods:

The main method of the research is ethnographical field work that involves participant observation and making semi-strucutured interviews. The ethnographical fieldwork was conducted in two selected small towns and one village.

Research results in 2019:

The research revealed the changing roles of Public Work Scheme after the economic crisis in the livelihood strategis of underprivilaged Roma communities. The results have been published.

Kovai Cecília (2019): Permanent wage labour as a norm: workfare policy and every day experiences of precariousness in a small Hungarian former industrial town. In: Labour relations and employment policies in time of volatility. (ed: Peter Csizmadia-Dorottya Szikra) Socio.hu Special Issue in Engish No 7.

The research studied how „Tanoda Programs” relate to livelihood and mobilities strategies of underprivileged Roma communities in different local contexts.

Publications: