Author Archives: Roma Foundation

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

Odesa Recruitment Office

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Odesa Recruitment Office

A group of Roma attempted to storm a military recruitment center in Odesa after a man, referred to as a ‘Roma baron’ by local media, was detained during mobilization efforts. The crowd threw stones at the military office, demanding the release of the detained man, who is said to have significant influence in the local Roma community.

There are no official reports on injuries or arrests from the incident, and authorities have not confirmed whether the protesters succeeded in entering the building or the fate of the detained individual.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Health Checks

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Health Checks

A national initiative by the Bulgarian Ministry of Health aims to improve access to medical care in the Dobrich region through mobile medical units, offering various health screenings.

The program targets vulnerable communities, including Roma citizens and families in difficult social situations, to enhance preventive care and timely diagnosis.

The initiative is part of a broader national strategy for health equity and inclusion, with no specified dates for the screenings yet.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

How (not) to Count Children

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How (not) to Count Children

The Czech government has issued a set of guidelines on how to identify Roma children in schools. These are: Appearance, Ancestry, Typical surnames, speaking Romanes, having a parent who is supported by a state program aimed at Roma, Cultural practises, and Place of residence.

You wonder …

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Education Campaign

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Education Campaign

A campaign aims to promote inclusive education in Hungary, focusing on integrating Roma and non-Roma children in schools to combat segregation and its negative societal impacts.

Rézműves Szilvia emphasizes the importance of showcasing schools that successfully implement inclusive practices and the need for community involvement in education.

The initiative encourages public voting for the most inclusive school, highlighting the necessity of resources and support for teachers to foster a positive learning environment.

  • NEM AZ A JÓ ISKOLA, AHOVÁ CSAK A LEGJOBBAK JÁRNAK, HANEM AHOL MINDEN GYEREK SZÁMÍT – SZAVAZZ A BEFOGADÓ ISKOLÁKRA! In: WMN. 20.10.2026. https://wmn.hu/ugy/68366-befogado-iskola-torley-katalin-rezmuves-szilvia 
News Eastern Europe Slovakia

MOPS Patrols

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MOPS Patrols

After a forced six-month hiatus, MOPS (Local Civic and Support Services) patrols are returning to the streets of Fiľakovo, Slovakia. The local government’s application for a grant from the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic has been successful.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Integration Meeting

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Integration Meeting

A three-day meeting was held in Metlika to discuss coexistence between the majority and Roma communities in southeastern Slovenia, resulting in over 25 joint calls and 80 specific proposals for improvement, focusing on education, health, and living conditions.

Participants emphasized the need for inclusive collaboration among all stakeholders and highlighted the importance of Roma community involvement in planning and monitoring measures funded by state resources.

The meeting aimed to foster dialogue and identify common interests, with plans to present the proposals to municipalities and the state in the coming months.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Minority Culture Fund

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Minority Culture Fund

The Minority Cultural Fund (Kultminor) has announced its first call for applications for 2027, allowing Hungarian, Roma, and Rusyn minority applicants to submit funding requests by November 2, 2026.

The aim of the funding is to preserve, express, protect, and develop the identity and cultural values of national minorities, as well as to support educational activities related to minority rights.

A total of four application rounds are planned for 2027, with the next calls scheduled for November and December 2026, and January 2027.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbian Elections and Roma

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Serbian Elections and Roma

The Democratic Party of Roma (DRP) is advocating for a reduction of the electoral threshold for the Roma community from 0.70% to 0.35%, similar to provisions for the Croatian community.

They highlight the long-standing political exclusion of Roma and question why their representation is overlooked while other minority groups receive guaranteed mandates.

While many Roma adovcate voting for the Student’s list, this is far from certain. A group of activists from the opposition ‘Students’ List’ attempted to gain support from the Roma in Serbia but faced strong resistance from local residents. Roma representatives expressed their loyalty to the current government and President Aleksandar Vučić, citing improvements in their living standards as a result of his policies.

Usnija Buligović from the Roma Academic Circle discusses the long-standing issue of vote buying within the Roma community, emphasizing that it affects other marginalized groups as well.

She highlights the need for awareness and action against those who exploit vulnerable populations for votes, urging Roma to recognize the value of their votes and to report any instances of coercion or bribery. Buligović calls for increased political engagement from the Roma community, stressing the importance of holding political representatives accountable and advocating for their rights beyond election periods.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Prague: Exhibition

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Prague: Exhibition

A new exhibition in Prague highlights the resistance of over 1,400 Roma fighters against Nazi occupation during World War II, a largely overlooked aspect of Czech and Slovak history.

The exhibition aims to change the narrative around Roma, showcasing them not only as victims of the Holocaust but also as heroes who fought against the Nazis.

Despite the significance of this history, it remains under-researched, and many Roma still hesitate to publicly identify as such due to historical trauma and ongoing discrimination.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Mixed Couples

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Mixed Couples

The article discusses the challenges faced by mixed couples, particularly between Romani and Czech individuals, when their families reject their relationships due to cultural differences.

It highlights the emotional turmoil of choosing between love and family, and the impact of such decisions on children born from these unions.

The author shares personal experiences of navigating these cultural divides and emphasizes the importance of love and acceptance within families, regardless of ethnic backgrounds.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Lunik IX

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Lunik IX

The article discusses the challenges and perceptions surrounding Luník IX, a marginalized Roma neighbourhood in Slovakia, highlighting its lack of accessibility and the stigma associated with it.

Participants of the Social Democratic Academy visit Luník IX to learn about regional development and integration of marginalized communities, encountering local children and community initiatives.

The author emphasizes the need for a shift in societal attitudes towards the Roma community, addressing generational poverty and the importance of education and integration efforts.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

A three-day meeting in Metlika, brought together citizens from both majority and Roma in southeastern Slovenia to discuss shared living conditions and potential solutions to local issues.

Participants identified over 25 joint calls and 80 specific proposals aimed at improving education, health, and living conditions, emphasizing the need for inclusive decision-making processes.

Key recommendations included enhancing Roma participation in local and national decision-making, better oversight of state funds for Roma improvement, and addressing issues like stray animals in Roma settlements.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Demolition

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Demolition

Several families living in makeshift homes in Colonia de sub Deal, Florești, Romania, were left homeless due to demolitions initiated by the local government, which claims to enforce court rulings against illegal constructions.

Activists argue that the affected families were not provided with alternative housing solutions and call for social measures to support them, referencing the need for compliance with legislation regarding informal settlements.

The local administration has announced plans to acquire around 350 homes for vulnerable families over the next decade, aiming for integration into existing communities rather than creating segregated areas.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Romania: Attack

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Romania: Attack

A stabbing incident occurred at Școala Gimnazială Nr. 6 in Bistrița, Romania, where a student targeted a Roma classmate, leading to injuries of a teacher and another student.

The attacker, a seventh-grade student who recently returned from Spain, allegedly sought out a specific student of Roma ethnicity, raising suspicions of a racially motivated attack. He apparently planned the action for 8 months, discussing it on TikTok.

The school lacked strict access control despite having surveillance cameras, prompting authorities to consider implementing stricter security measures following the incident.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro and Education

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Montenegro and Education

The focus of a recent consultation organized by the Institute for Education was on improving reading, writing, and comprehension skills among students from the Roma and Egyptian communities in Montenegro. The consultation aimed to share experiences and introduce new educational materials to enhance literacy and support children in their learning processes.

Two educational materials were developed: a picture dictionary for preschool and early elementary students and a manual for literacy education, both aimed at fostering language development and cultural sensitivity.

Croatia News Eastern Europe

Roma Football Club

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Roma Football Club

The Roma football club NK Parag from Međimurje, established 16 years ago, competes in the Croatian football system but lacks its own playing field, which was highlighted during a meeting with President Zoran Milanović.

The Roma organization has organized 31 sports camps for children and youth, recognized by UEFA as one of the best European initiatives for young people. The meeting raised concerns about the slow progress of the Roma community’s integration and the need for concrete support for NK Parag to continue its activities.

Germany News Western Europe

Hermann “Mano” Höllenreiner

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Hermann “Mano” Höllenreiner

Hermann “Mano” Höllenreiner, a Holocaust survivor and witness to Nazi atrocities, passed away in Mühldorf, Bavaria, at the age of 92.

He survived Auschwitz-Birkenau and the death march from Sachsenhausen, later sharing his experiences to educate others about the suffering of the Sinti and Roma during the Holocaust.

Höllenreiner was recognized for his contributions to remembrance work and was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in Germany.

Te avel I phuv lokhi!

News Eastern Europe Romania

„țigan”

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„țigan”

An article on the word „țigan” [“Gypsy”], its origins stemming from the Athingani, a heretical Manicheism sect and on why it is pejorative and should be supplanted by the word Rom.

Greece News Western Europe

Remedial Teaching

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Remedial Teaching

Remedial teaching for Roma children will begin on October 19 in Livadi Ropa, Corfu, as part of a municipal initiative to support education. The program requires parental consent for children’s participation and aims to address educational inequalities faced by Roma students.

The initiative is funded by Greece and the EU, emphasizing the need for comprehensive social inclusion policies alongside educational support.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Commemoration

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Commemoration

The anniversary of the murder of 14-year-old Roma boy Dušan Jovanović, killed 29 years ago in Belgrade, was marked by a march highlighting racism and discrimination against Roma people.

Duška Jovanović, Dušan’s sister, emphasized the impact of racism, stating it has killed her brother and affected her entire family, and called for continued remembrance and activism against hate.

The gathering served as a memorial and a call to action to combat racism and promote awareness of the ongoing struggles faced by the Roma community.

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