European inclusion projects of Roma communities in Romania: power and inequality.

Established-outsider theory has become one main theory in this research paper, with the potential of providing one way of comprehending the existence of an unconscious but all too present conflict between Roma and Non-Roma in Romania. While it is true that today Roma are better than they were during the course of history, nonetheless, they still experience systematic discrimination and remain behind the Romanian majority in important areas of life. The prevalent assumption is they are responsible for their own situation based on an innate deviant character that is culturally determined, therefore enforcing the power relations between the established group (Romanians) and the outsider group (Roma). This differentiation is maintained by prevalent stereotypes internalized and used to justify Romanian society failure to act, even if strategies and financial funds for inclusion projects exist. An analysis of two European projects of inclusion with focus on Roma and marginalized communities respectively in Baia Mare and around Baia Mare can provide some understanding on why the impact of such projects, even if present, is imperfect.