Author Archives: Roma Foundation

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Roma Projects

Published by:

Roma Projects

In 2022, €335,845,065 was spent on the action plan for the Strategy for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation of Roma by 2030, according to a monitoring report.

Out of 159 planned activities for 2025, only 10 were completed, while 125 were in progress, 22 were being prepared, and 2 were deemed unfulfilled, particularly in education.

The report will be presented to a working group for monitoring and evaluating the Strategy after government discussion.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Racism?

Published by:

Racism?

Jozef Božik, the chairman of the Association of Towns and Villages of Slovakia (ZMOS), is facing backlash after being accused of insulting the Roma community by referring to them as “Indians.”

The mayor of Zámutov, who initiated the controversy, is demanding Božik’s resignation, which he firmly rejects.

Božik claims that the accusation is taken out of context and has led to severe personal attacks against him and his family.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

Published by:

Roma in Montenegro

The Roma Council of Montenegro warns against discussing European values and the rule of law while ignoring the long-standing discrimination of Roma in political representation. They call on lawmakers to address the electoral census for the Roma community and rectify injustices in political representation.

The Council emphasizes that if constitutional changes proceed without addressing these issues, it undermines the principles of equality and non-discrimination in Montenegro.

Austria News Western Europe

SV “Gypsy Kings”

Published by:

SV “Gypsy Kings”

The article discusses the football club “SV Gipsy Kings” in Vienna, which aims to reduce prejudices and strengthen player identities. The club recently played its first match in the Vienna State Cup and is the first official Roma football club participating in Austria’s regular league.

Founded by coach Slobodan Antonijevic and chairman Franco Ibrahimovic, the club is entering its second season since establishment.

Europe

Young Roma

Published by:

Young Roma

The film “Young Roma Today – Between Heritage and Future” follows four young Roma individuals who challenge stereotypes and advocate for self-empowerment amidst societal discrimination.

The younger Roma generation is increasingly resisting exclusion and fighting for equal opportunities in education, housing, and employment, amidst rising racism and anti-Roma incidents.

The documentary highlights personal stories of engagement, education, and self-determination, showcasing the diverse experiences of young Roma in contemporary society.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Bűnvadászok

Published by:

Bűnvadászok

The activities of the ‘Bűnvadászok’ (Crime Hunters) instill fear in the Roma community and shift public sentiment against them, as warned by the deputy commissioner for national minorities. Complaints have been filed regarding alleged unlawful evictions and the content shared by the ‘Bűnvadászok’ on their YouTube channel, with the police dismissing a related report.

The article highlights broader issues, including the treatment of Roma individuals in healthcare and education, emphasizing a lack of adequate representation and understanding of their social situation in educational materials.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Brawl in Timisoara

Published by:

Brawl in Timisoara

A conflict involving several Roma men occurred in Timișoara, leading to police intervention after a neighbor called emergency services. Four men aged between 18 and 56 were fined a total of 8,000 lei for their involvement in the disturbance, which included public disorder and insults.

Authorities emphasized the importance of social coexistence and peaceful conflict resolution for public safety.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Roma Culture

Published by:

Roma Culture

A meeting was held between 20 young Roma from Moldova and representatives of the Ministry of Education to discuss promoting Roma cultural and linguistic identity, as well as expanding access to education. Key topics included the introduction of a subject on Roma history and culture in schools, teacher training, and providing educational materials, along with the possibility of teaching the Romani language as a mother tongue.

The Ministry, in collaboration with European institutions, aims to ensure equal educational opportunities for Roma children and has planned to offer 120 merit scholarships for the academic year 2026-2027.

Greece News Western Europe

Police Razzia

Published by:

Police Razzia

The Achaia Police Employees Union congratulated officers involved in a large-scale operation in the Roma settlement of Eglikada, Patras, leading to the arrest of two individuals with outstanding warrants for serious crimes.

The Union highlighted issues of understaffing and lack of modern equipment in police services, pledging to advocate for better staffing, resources, and legal protections for officers.

These actions directed at Roma settlements are increasingly common in Greece.

Italy News Western Europe

Italy and Settlements

Published by:

Italy and Settlements

A meeting was held at the Government Palace in Naples to address the lack of water and electricity in the Rom camp in Giugliano in Campania, attended by various local authorities and organizations.

The meeting discussed ongoing issues with electricity connections and water supply, with temporary solutions like water trucks being used while improvements to the water network are underway.

Continuous monitoring and coordination among local authorities are planned to ensure the restoration of essential services in the camp.

News Eastern Europe Poland

Stanisław Opocki

Published by:

Stanisław Opocki

Father Stanisław Opocki, a prominent priest and national pastor for the Romani community in Poland, died in a car accident on October 7, 2026, at the age of 73.

He dedicated much of his life to serving the Romani community, initiating significant events such as the first pilgrimage for Romani people in the 1980s, which became a tradition in southern Poland.

His funeral is scheduled for October 13, 2026, in his hometown of Rudka, with official announcements made by the Polish Bishops’ Conference and the Tarnów Diocese.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Theatre

Published by:

Theatre

The theater group “Stolivud” in the multicultural neighborhood of Stolipinovo aims to promote tolerance and unity through art, featuring members from diverse ethnic backgrounds including Bulgarians, Roma, Turks, and others.

Their upcoming performance, “Missed Call,” will explore the five stages of grief and is set for November 13, 2026, at the State Puppet Theater in Plovdiv, with a charitable focus on helping homeless cats.

The group emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges and using theater as a means to foster community connections and positive change.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Music in Hungary

Published by:

Roma Music in Hungary

On Wednesday, October 7, educator and Roma cultural studies teacher Mrs. János Jónás delivered a lecture titled “Sounds of Two Worlds: Traditional Roma Vocal Music and Coffee-House ‘Gypsy Music'” at the Sámuel Tessedik Museum in Szarvas. In her presentation, she contrasted the musical worlds of the Romungro musician Roma and the Oláh Roma, highlighting what they listen to during celebrations versus times of death and funerals.

Uncategorized

Voice of Romnja

Published by:

Voice of Romnja

A new community and advocacy program called “Voice of Roma Women in Miskolc” has been launched to enhance the public participation and advocacy skills of Roma women in Miskolc, Hungary. The initiative encourages Roma women to share their experiences and address community issues, aiming to bring these concerns to local decision-makers.

The program will run for one year, with a long-term goal of empowering participants to continue advocating for their community’s interests after the project ends.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Pride

Published by:

Roma Pride

The Roma Pride and Dignity Day will be held in Budapest on October 17, featuring a march and the presentation of a declaration promoting cooperation among Roma communities and democratic actors in Hungary.

The event aims to strengthen community self-esteem and emphasizes the importance of Roma participation in shaping the future of Hungary, addressing issues of social exclusion and unequal access to services.

The march will start at Blaha Lujza Square and end at Puczi Béla Square, with speeches and performances from various artists, highlighting the message of solidarity and partnership.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Cigany Telep

Published by:

Cigany Telep

An article about a Roma setllement in the Hungarian Matra mountains. There, according to Local representative Nikolett Szomora, around 80% of the residents are struggling with substance abuse.

The article is definitively preo-Jobbik, an extreme right party in Hungary (but by far not the one further on the right).

The situation is deplorable, and in those settlements, most people are unemployed. The last 30 years saw a steady decline in living conditions.

Uncategorized

Condemned

Published by:

Condemned

A nine-year-old Roma boy in Serbia was assaulted by a city employee, leading to public outrage and demands for accountability, but the case was dismissed after a small payment to a flood relief fund instead of proper justice.

The European Court of Human Rights later ruled that Serbia violated the boy’s rights by failing to protect him and adequately address the assault, awarding him compensation. However, the court did not find sufficient evidence of racial discrimination in the case, despite the family’s claims of a racially motivated attack and the broader context of discrimination against Roma in Serbia.

Greece News Western Europe

Influencer

Published by:

Influencer

Valentina, a Roma influencer in Greece, shares her experiences on social media, discussing the challenges and joys of her identity and the Roma culture.

She emphasizes the importance of education for Roma youth and encourages them to pursue their dreams despite societal prejudices and family disapproval.

Valentina advocates for change in how Roma are perceived and treated in society, urging others to embrace their identity and not fear criticism.

Greece News Western Europe

Greece and Roma

Published by:

Greece and Roma

The FRA’s “Roma Survey 2024” reveals a significant gap between Roma communities and the general population in Greece, highlighting failures in state interventions and ongoing socio-economic inequalities. The report emphasizes the need for genuine inclusion, equal access to education, housing, health, and employment, while also addressing the cultural identity of Roma, who face systemic discrimination and marginalization.

Gender disparities are alarming, with a 60% employment gap between Roma men and women, and high unemployment rates, particularly among young Roma, who encounter substantial barriers to entering the job market.

rroma.org
en_GBEN
de_DEDE fr_FRFR en_GBEN