to pay attention to those who are typically marginalised and whose issues would not necessarily be voiced either by themselves, or by the State authorities or other residents on their behalf. When to use the Vulnerable Groups List during the “Programme/Project Cycle” To ensure that information gathered is relevant to human rights indicators or couched in the human rights framework. 2) During Policy and Programming development To ensure that the needs of men and women are taken into account in the process of design of the project/programme/policy at the local level. 3) Monitoring and Evaluation stages: if new challenges arise, for example during the “reflective praxis”, this tool will help as a background document for human rights related questions with regard to social inclusion and non-discrimination issues How to use the Vulnerable Groups List    Assessment teams/users could use the list as a reference for the types of questions to be asked in identifying the most vulnerable groups and relevant municipal actors. This list does not claim to be exhaustive and is intended to be a living instrument that teams can adapt according to experience and relevance in the field. As a result, users may use it as a guideline, rather than as a rigid tool. Similar questions may also be asked of other groups under each sector depending on what emerges as a priority in the municipality/sector assessed. Assessment teams/ researchers are encouraged to add their own questions/comments and, where necessary, go that one step further to ask, ‘why?’ When answering the questions in the list, one needs to explain how such conclusions were reached and assessed (e.g. is this an impression formed during the assessment visit? Was information gathered from NGOs or the general public? Was there any focus group discussion conducted?). References and sources for answers need to be provided. 1) This tool will help you to ask relevant questions during the situation and problem analysis Vulnerability assessment list for Roma Note: The HRBA and Gender in Local Governance Toolkit (2007) also includes vulnerability assessments for: national minorities, migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers. Marginalisation / Discrimination   Is there political, social and/or economical discrimination against Roma communities? Have the authorities taken measures to improve the relations between Roma communities and non-Roma communities, with a view to promoting tolerance and overcoming prejudices and negative stereotypes on both sides? Status/identity   Are Roma people registered as “displaced persons” or “refugees”? Do they have evidence of that status? Do the authorities respect the wishes of Roma as to the designation they want to be given and the group to which they want to belong? Is there any disadvantage resulting from the choice Roma make in that respect? Chapter 8: Situation Analysis Tools 121