A/HRC/31/CRP.2 4. Capacity building for Roma 82. States and other stakeholders should collaborate with and support Roma civil society organizations in the region, including by providing adequate financial support to empower them to take an active role in advocating their communities’ rights and needs. 83. In line with the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities, assistance should also be provided to Roma communities and organizations to strengthen their communication and cooperation with other Roma rights organizations in other countries in the region and beyond, in order to enhance cooperation and synergies. 84. In this context, efforts should be made to strengthen SKOKRA, and steps taken to connect Roma communities in the Americas with Roma civil society organizations working in Europe, which may have valuable experience to share. 85. Capacity building should also be undertaken to ensure that Roma communities in the region are aware of and have the capacity to utilize human rights protection mechanisms: at the national level (NHRIs, Ombudspersons); at the regional level (Organization of American States (OAS) mechanisms); and at the international level (Special Procedures Mandate Holders, reviews of States by Treaty Bodies and Universal Periodic Review). 5. To national and regional human rights bodies and United Nations agencies 86. The organs and specialized agencies of the United Nations system should help to facilitate constructive and effective dialogue between governments and Roma communities in the Americas region, and should also provide financial and technical assistance to Roma communities for the development and implementation of initiatives aimed at securing the realization of their rights. 87. United Nations agencies should jointly develop, in cooperation with Roma communities, focused and targeted programmes at the country level to address the particular needs of Roma communities in their countries, including the particular needs of Roma women and children. 88. The OAS should consider establishing a working group with a mandate to address the situation of Roma in the region. 89. United Nations Country teams in States where Roma communities reside could play a key role in strengthening the network of Roma in the Americas by facilitating and funding meetings and workshops. 15