is situated in the centre of the Slovak Paradise, and their fates have always been closely connected – at present it is a crossroad of tourist routes. Remains of the manor house Tyba – the residence of the Andrássi and Barč families are located in the village. A writer, theologist and historian Juraj Sklenár also worked in this house. More than one third of the inhabitants of Spišské Tomášovce are Romas – in the past they were known as trough makers and blacksmiths and were also engaged in making and firing bricks. At present, the majority of inhabitants of the municipality work in industrial enterprises and construction companies in the district town.

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Arising out of the YOUR SPIš Programme, the YOUR SPIš Fund (YSF), was established, on the initiative of ETP Slovakia, in October 2002. The YSF brings together three towns and eleven unicipali municipalities of the Middle Spiš Region (Spišská Nová Ves, Levoča, Spišské Podhradie, Iliašovce, Nálepkovo, Mníšek nad Hnilcom, Rudňany, Spišský Hrhov, Spišský štvrtok, Spišské Tomášovce, švedlár, Pra Prakovce, Žehra) and Ostrovany from Prešov Region, BIC Spišská Nová Ves, Ltd., Civic Association ETP Slovakia – Centre for Sustainable Development and UNDP (United Nations Development Pro Programme).

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Its attractive geographical location close to the Slovak Paradise and not far from the High Tatras makes Spišský štvrtok, once an important crossroad of ancient trade routes, and a very interesting place for tourists. Therefore representatives of the local government aim to develop activities supporting tourism and making the cultural monuments in the municipality and in its vicinity accessible (especially the multi-storied gothic church and a baroque monastery – the home of monks from the Minorite order). Also other activities including reconstruction and repairs of roads, sidewalks, landscaping of the park and construction of flats for socially disadvantaged inhabitants of the municipality are planned.

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used to be a centre of the Hnilec valley in the past. It was due to the fact that Heavy Engineering Plants providing jobs for almost 3,000 people from the region were located here. The conversion of the armament industry after 1989 meant that the factory was taken into liquidation followed by the laying off of workers. This development significantly contributed to the worsening of economic and social conditions of the village inhabitants. The rate of unemployment reached 40%. Worsening living standard meant that the interest of people in the social life of the municipality decreased.

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is an old mining municipality located in the Hnilec valley and a border municipality of the Gelnica district inhabited by descendants of the Spiš Germans. After the closure of ZS Prakovce that used to be the major employer in the valley, the number of unemployed increased dramatically. Their number is not stable due to seasonal jobs during spring and summer months.

Nálepkovo is one of the most prosperous municipalities of the region, which thoroughly invests all available resources to its own development. As a result the municipality has undergone significant changes over the past 10 years. The most significant changes are connected with the transformation of municipal enterprises to business companies, a programme of flats construction, construction of a house for retired pensioners, reconstruction of the municipal park, town house and completing the construction of a ski lift and sports grounds.

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is a middle-size village of the Hnilec valley. Its uniqueness lies in its clean environment and developed social life. Its present inhabitants are descendants of Carpathian Germans, therefore a numerous part of inhabitants claim their German ethnical background. The largest ethnic group, however, are Romas. Unemployment is a significant problem in the municipality. Despite this, the municipality has lately undergone progressive changes, and sidewalks, roads, an ice rink and tennis courts have been built. The biggest benefit for the municipality during the recent period is the installation of a gas line.

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Archaeological findings in Ostrovany in the district Sabinov, 12 km north of Prešov close to the šariš castle hill are significant places of interest in the šariš region. Surrounding areas were inhabited by early farmers already 5,000 years ago. They were attracted to this region because of fertile land, favourable climatic conditions, abundance of potable water and beautiful environment dominated by the šariš castle and Strážov hills. The valley was called the „šarišské podolie“.

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The village of Iliašovce, situated along the Iliašovce creek, lies halfway between the district towns of Spišská Nová Ves and Levoča. The population works in a local cooperative farm and industrial enterprises in the district town, and some of them run small businesses. The high rate of unemployment in Iliašovce affects mostly the Roma minority. Several Roma people work in construction companies owned by Roma entrepreneurs.

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is located in the area under the Spiš castle, which is very attractive for tourists, in the vicinity of the protected natural territory called „Dreveník“. The church of the Holy Spirit included in the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage UNESCO is also worth mentioning. These are the reasons why the municipality and its surroundings are visited by a large number of both foreign and home tourists.

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At the beginning of December 2003, the town, in partnership with the Fund, opened premises designed for the operation of the Community Social Club to the public.

At present the Community Club in Spišské Podhradie organizes a course of sewing under the project called Club of Roma Women III. CA Čercheň – Star organizes a course of arranging artificial flowers under the project called Development of Employment of Roma Women II. CA Sikade vasta organizes a for Roma women under the supervision of Mrs. Boržiková, a specialized lecturer – a professional tailor. Ten women participate in the project, and they work in the activation allowance scheme.

The project and visible results of its work are greatly appreciated not only among Roma women from Spišské Podhradie, but also among other members of the community.

Currently assumptions for the project continuation in this project in the form of a newly established sewing workshop and for including new people in its activities have been created.