Author Archives: Roma Foundation

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Cooking Competition

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Cooking Competition

A team from ÁGOTA Community participated in the Kivilágos Kivirradtig Festival cooking competition, showcasing traditional Roma dishes and winning a silver award.

The event highlighted the importance of community and mentorship for young people living in residential homes, with a focus on shared experiences and cultural pride.

The festival served as a platform for young talents, like 18-year-old Nikólasz, who is training to be a chef and actively contributes to the community through cooking.

News Switzerland

Travellers in Switzerland

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Travellers in Switzerland

The canton of Lucerne is reinitiating the search for stopping places for travelers, with the Social Democrats (SP) and Greens seeking clarity on Ebikon’s role in this process.

A report indicates that there are still dozens of missing stopping places in Lucerne, despite the obligation to provide adequate facilities for travelers such as Jenische, Sinti, and Roma.

The previous attempt to establish new sites was unsuccessful due to strong opposition from local municipalities, prompting a new cooperative dialogue approach to find a socially acceptable solution.

Austria News Western Europe

House of Ethnic Groups

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House of Ethnic Groups

Hans Peter Doskozil, the Governor of Burgenland, calls the new House of Ethnic Groups a “century project” and a milestone for cultural diversity in the region.

The building, located on the site of a former municipal boarding school, hosts various cultural associations including Hungarian, Croatian, and Roma organizations.

The project cost approximately 20 million euros and includes seminar rooms, a library, an event hall, guest rooms, apartments, and a bistro.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Rights

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Roma Rights

Salih Saitović, president of the Democratic Union of Roma, emphasized the need for a systematic and long-term fight for the rights of the Roma community, advocating for international recognition and support.

In a statement regarding the “Parade of Identity and Solidarity” in Niš, he questioned the visibility and representation of Roma in discussions about marginalized groups.

Saitović called for the establishment of an international institution to represent Roma interests, arguing that the fight against discrimination should extend beyond declarations to include real political and legal mechanisms.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Theatre

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Theatre

On September 18, 2026, the International Youth Center in Ruse hosted a youth theater event featuring forum theater, where Romanian youth presented social issues to a Bulgarian audience through improvised performances.

The plot focused on the experiences of a young Roma girl facing betrayal, stereotypes, corruption, and exclusion, intertwining with European values and contemporary issues faced by European citizens.

The initiative aimed to foster dialogue, tolerance, and active civic participation among youth from Bulgaria and Romania, emphasizing the rights and values of European citizens.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Really?

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Really?

According to the article, the Romanian government is offering €50,000 in non-repayable funding to young Roma individuals (ages 18-30) to start businesses, as part of the Start-Up Nation program, amidst a record number of business closures in the country.

Eligibility criteria for the funding rely on self-declaration of Roma ethnicity, raising concerns about potential misuse and the impact on actual Roma individuals seeking support.

The program aims to reduce poverty among the Roma community but may inadvertently inflate the number of declared Roma, affecting future government programs and representation.

Well, the current official number of Roma is really low and far from reality …

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

Roma in Zakarpattia

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Roma in Zakarpattia

Students from the Berehiv (Zakarpattia Ukraine) Gymnasium “Opre Roma” participated in an eco-educational event focused on biodiversity conservation and bird studies, particularly owls.

The event included a dialogue led by ecologist Leonid Pokrytiuk, where students learned about owl habitats, diets, and behaviors, as well as how to assist injured birds.

A practical demonstration of scientific ringing of a long-eared owl was conducted, allowing students to observe ornithologists at work and understand the importance of tracking bird migration.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Resistance Day

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Roma Resistance Day

The article discusses the debate surrounding the commemoration of the Roma Resistance Day on May 16, which some historians question as a historically verified event.

Proponents, including Roma politician Béla Radics, argue for the establishment of a memorial in Budapest to honor the Roma heroes who resisted Nazi forces during the Holocaust.

Critics, including historians, assert that there is no evidence of a rebellion on that date, suggesting that the commemoration may be based on myth rather than historical fact.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

János Szapula

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János Szapula

Hundreds gathered in Taktakenéz to light candles in memory of local councilor János Szapula, who was fatally attacked at work by a 48-year-old public worker.

Szapula was a significant member of the local Roma community, known for his willingness to help others, and his death is seen as a tremendous loss for the village.

The memorial was organized by the Roma Welfare Association, and attendees expressed shock and grief over the violent incident that took Szapula’s life.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovakia, Roma, and NGOs

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Slovakia, Roma, and NGOs

Rudolf Budai, a Romani goldsmith, has joined the political party Právo na pravdu to advocate for the Romani community and address issues of poverty and exploitation by NGOs and state-funded organizations.

Budai criticizes the misuse of state funds meant for cultural support, highlighting the high costs of cultural events that burden impoverished families, and calls for free access to state-funded cultural activities.

He proposes the establishment of state enterprises in Romani communities to create jobs and improve living conditions, while party leaders emphasize the need for accountability and a return to work ethics in addressing community issues.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Museum of Romani Culture

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Museum of Romani Culture

The Czech Culture Ministry plans to hold a competitive selection process for the new director of the Museum of Romani Culture, with hopes that a Roma person will be appointed.

A petition has been initiated calling for a transparent selection process that includes representatives from the Roma community and civil society.

The current interim director, Karolina Spielmannová, is tasked with ensuring the museum’s continuity following the resignation of the previous director, Jana Horváthová.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma Politics

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Roma Politics

An important meeting for the Romani Party of Vrancea, Romania,  took place, focusing on the party’s reorganization following a scandal involving former leader Toader Constantin, accused of rape.

Deputy Nicolae Păun emphasized the need for preparation for the 2028 elections, urging the identification of capable candidates from the Romani community.

The meeting concluded with discussions on political strategy, community involvement, and the need for basic services for Romani families in Vrancea and Buzău.

Austria News Western Europe

Braunau …

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Braunau …

Braunau am Inn celebrates the 25th anniversary of the RoSi-Rastplatz, a unique project supporting Roma and Sinti travelers, recognized for promoting integration and tolerance.

The anniversary features two cultural events: a film screening of “Black Cat, White Cat” and a reading by author Karl-Markus Gauß, highlighting minority cultures.

The RoSi-Rastplatz has received multiple awards for its contributions to civil courage and human rights, emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma “Problematic”

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Roma “Problematic”

The Dolenjska People’s Initiative held its fourth consultation in Novo mesto regarding issues related to the Roma community and conditions in southeastern Slovenia, highlighting the absence of many invited participants.

Key attendees included local and state representatives, but many Roma councilors and organizations like Amnesty International were notably absent, raising concerns about engagement.

Not surprising when you consider what policies the inititative is proposing…

France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Slovenia

Hamidović Family

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Hamidović Family

Roberto Hamidović and six family members were sentenced for forcing children into mass pickpocketing in Paris, with Hamidović receiving eight years in prison and a €500,000 fine.

The family, Roma from Bosnia, was involved in various crimes including human trafficking and organized theft, with children used to evade prosecution.

The fact thagt this appears in Slovenia, with strong views about Roma “criminality” highlights how one family can severely damage the image of an entire population.

Bad.

News Eastern Europe North Macedonia

Šerutnipe

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Šerutnipe

Roma leaders from various European countries gathered in Skopje to discuss political participation and how mandates can lead to tangible changes in local communities.

The initiative “Sherutnipe” aims to connect elected Roma representatives with organizations working to improve the status of Roma communities, focusing on the implementation of public projects funded through local budgets.

Since 2019, Roma public officials in five countries have secured over 42 million euros for projects related to infrastructure, education, and housing, emphasizing the importance of collaboration at both local and European levels.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Nice but …

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Nice but …

The project “Bridge of Colors: Uniting Cultures through Creativity and Knowledge” has commenced in Shumen, aimed at fostering interaction among children from various ethnic backgrounds through creative activities.

The project, funded by the Education Program 2021-2027, involves five kindergartens and aims to create an inclusive educational environment over a 24-month period.

Activities will include workshops, excursions, and a “Friendship Festival” to showcase the traditions and crafts of different ethnic groups, with parental involvement emphasized throughout the project.

What is the outcome?

  • Започна изпълнението на проекта “Мост от цветове: Съединяваме култури чрез творчество и знание”, каза зам.-кметът на Шумен Даниела Русева. In: Utro Ruse. 24.09.2026. https://utroruse.com/article/1321146/
News Eastern Europe Serbia

Romani Politics

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Romani Politics

The Civil Movement of Roma in Serbia announced its decision to withdraw from negotiations for a joint electoral list with the Union of Roma in Serbia for the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 25.

The negotiations, which began on September 5, included the Roma Party, the Democratic Union of Roma, the Union of Roma in Serbia, and the Civil Movement of Roma in Serbia.

The Civil Movement stated that while there was initial agreement on the idea of a joint electoral performance, subsequent discussions failed due to disagreements over proposals made by the Union of Roma in Serbia.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Housing Discrimination?

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Housing Discrimination?

A young Romni, B.R., raised in child protection, has written an open letter to the mayor of Cluj, Emil Boc, questioning why she and others like her do not receive social housing despite being educated and employed.

B.R. shares her experiences of discrimination and emphasizes that not all Roma should be judged based on the actions of a few, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of her community.

She highlights the need for social housing criteria to be reconsidered, suggesting that those who work and contribute to society should be prioritized over those who perpetuate negative stereotypes.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Inclusion of Marginalised Communities

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Inclusion of Marginalised Communities

The Slovak Government Council for the Inclusion of Marginalized Roma Communities held its first meeting on September 22, 2026, in Bratislava, focusing on procedural operations and the current status of EU funds for Roma inclusion.

The Council aims to propose and coordinate effective public policies for the integration of marginalized Roma communities, aligning with Slovakia’s commitments to Roma inclusion and the Slovakia Program 2021-2027.

Key discussions included the implementation of the Slovakia Program budget, recommendations from the final evaluation report, and preparations for the National and Regional Partnership Plan for 2028-2034.

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