In 2008, the National Societies of Croatia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia have utilized the participatory community development (PCD) approach in their work with the most vulnerable groups of society.
A total of 12 vulnerable communities were targeted implementing 12 micro-projects supported by the Norwegian and the British Red Cross through the Federation Regional Representation in Budapest. Another 16 small community based projects were supported by other stakeholders involved in the PCD process and facilited by the Red Cross. Most of the targeted communities were vulnerable Roma but also other marginalized groups such as children in isolated communities, migrants and those at risk of human trafficking. For most of the communities where a rapid appraisal was carried out, low living standards, bad infrastructure, environmental issues, social problems and discrimination were issues needing to be addressed.

The involvement of vulnerable people in all stages of the PCD process led to a better understanding of these communities’ needs by the National Societies and enabled the implementation of the micro-projects based on the priorities identified during large group workshops. Due to the needs uncovered most of the micro-projects contained an educational component, the decrease of social exclusion and improving social and health conditions of the most vulnerable. A number of stakeholders were part of the process contributing to establishing partnerships with the communities and the Red Cross as well as ensuring sustainability of the projects. This was a particularly important aspect concerning the participation of local authorities throughout the PCD process.

• In Croatia four micro-projects were tailored to decrease the exclusion of Roma children from school through additional educational and social activities. The projects resulted in many of the Roma children going back to school from which they had previously left.
  
• Three micro-projects in Macedonia were designed to contribute to better health conditions among Roma communities by constructing a new drainage system and organizing health education and family planning workshops. In addition an education club for youth was opened which will serve as a community centre and its activities will be supported by local authorities.
  
• In Serbia two micro-projects were implemented aiming to facilitate the social integration of Roma children and adults through preparatory workshops for school enrolment and various workshops for parents. Another community project implemented in Serbia focused on increasing awareness on different health issues and promoting healthy lifestyles through health education trainings.
  
• Micro-project activities in Montenegro contributed to better living conditions among Roma community by improving housing facilities and undertaking clean-up campaigns in order to decrease the possibility of any disease in the community.
  
• The PCD activities in Romania targeted young people at risk of human trafficking while in Bulgaria the activities aimed at decreasing isolation and discrimination among migrants.