Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Roma Communities

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Roma Communities

The Slovak Association of Towns and Villages (ZMOS) discussed new responsibilities for municipalities regarding waste management and the inclusion of Roma communities during a meeting on July 1, 2026.

The meeting focused on the socio-geographic mapping of Roma communities, the Roma map portal, and the evaluation of action plans for the years 2022-2024, emphasizing early childhood care accessibility for marginalized Roma communities.

New data from the Roma atlas indicates an increase in the number of documented Roma communities and their population, highlighting the importance of community perspectives in public policy.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Art Camp

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Art Camp

The Herényiek Házában art camp in Hungary, initiated by the Szombathely Roma National Self-Government, has become an annual celebration of art and community since its inception in 2015, supported by local government.

Artists from across the country gather to collaborate and learn from each other, fostering dialogue between Roma and Hungarian communities, with this year’s theme focusing on Plein air art. Local officials, including the deputy mayor, expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its importance in promoting quality cultural programs outside the city center.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Reporting

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Reporting

The Slovak government has decided that the annual report from the government commissioner for Roma communities will be submitted by the end of September starting in 2027, changing the previous March deadline.

This change aims to align the submission date of the annual report with the Monitoring Report on the implementation of action plans for the Strategy for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation of Roma until 2030. The government states that this adjustment will eliminate duplicate data collection and reduce administrative burdens for the relevant ministries.

It also undermines transpareny by postponing the reporting by nearly 6 months…

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Brawl in Sered

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Brawl in Sered

A recent incident involving Roma armed with weapons has raised concerns about public safety in the town of Sereď, Slovakia, prompting discussions about the security situation.

The article highlights a perceived return to previous safety issues in the area, with increasing conflicts among Roma community members being documented.

Local authorities are urged to engage with government representatives to address minority issues and improve safety in the community.

News Eastern Europe Ukraine

Hepatitis

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Hepatitis

A Hepatitis A outbreak has been reported in the Drugetháza community in Zakarpattia Ukraine, primarily affecting the Roma population, prompting health authorities to take measures to contain the infection.

Local health services are monitoring the situation, disinfecting public spaces and wells not connected to the central water supply, and restricting children from the outbreak area from attending schools until they meet health guidelines.

Authorities are urging residents to adhere to hygiene practices, avoid large gatherings, and consume only safe drinking water, as the disease poses a higher risk to children and the elderly.

Bosnia News Eastern Europe

Conference in Bosnia

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Conference in Bosnia

A conference supported by the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina focused on the political participation of national minorities and proposed changes to the electoral law to ensure their representation at various government levels.

Council Chairman Mujo Fafulić emphasized the need for guaranteed seats for national minorities in the electoral law, aiming for representation by 2028 and 2030.

OSCE officials highlighted the importance of inclusive decision-making and the ongoing challenges in implementing legal protections for national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Mahala Transformation

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Mahala Transformation

The neighborhood of Hadji Dimitar in Kavarna, Bulgaria, has transformed from a place associated with poverty and crime to a model of community development, attracting attention from European experts.

Former mayor Tsanko Tsonev implemented a plan that allowed residents to build legally, leading to improved living conditions and community integration.

The local kindergarten plays a crucial role in early education, helping children learn Bulgarian and fostering a positive environment for development.

https://youtu.be/9vnNBZKO19Y

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Podgorica Summit

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Podgorica Summit

The 2nd European Roma Summit in Podgorica focused on the position of Roma in Europe, media roles, education, youth participation, and collaboration between institutions and civil society organizations.

Discussions included improving human rights, combating discrimination, preserving Roma identity, and increasing Roma representation in decision-making processes.

A panel on digital journalism highlighted the importance of media in empowering the Roma community and breaking stereotypes, emphasizing the need for more Roma voices in media and digital platforms.

Podgorica Summit

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Politics and Roma

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Politics and Roma

Srđan Šajn, president of the Roma Party, accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of exploiting Roma individuals living on social assistance by paying them to attend a rally on June 27.

He claimed that authorities distributed between 3,000 and 5,000 dinars to Roma from socially vulnerable neighborhoods to ensure their attendance, with evidence of this shared on social media.

Šajn criticized the government for relying on coerced individuals and marginalized groups to demonstrate power, while also noting that President Vučić failed to address other minority groups lacking political strength.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Fishing …

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Fishing …

A fishing competition (YES!) between police and Roma community took place on June 26 at the Paksi Atomerőmű fishing lake in Tolna County, marking its tenth anniversary.

The event was organized by the Tolna County Police Headquarters in collaboration with the local Roma self-government, with police colonel Dr. Nikoletta Hablicsek as the main patron.

The competition was won by Roma representative Györgye Mátyás, with police officer Zsiga Péter in second place and Orsós Károly in third; a special prize for the largest fish was awarded to Kovács Márton.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenian Conference

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Slovenian Conference

The conference focused on the development of the Roma community’s position over the last two decades, current challenges, and strengthening Roma activism and representation.

Key speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration between state institutions, local communities, and Roma representatives, highlighting the need for connecting formal rights with real-life improvements.

Discussions included Slovenia’s legal and financial framework for the Roma community, the significance of targeted funding, and the ongoing challenge of linking mechanisms to measurable outcomes and effective participation in decision-making.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Rom and Doctor

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Rom and Doctor

Ján Deme, an eye doctor from Slovakia, discusses the challenges and successes of being a Roma in the medical field, emphasizing the importance of role models and community support for aspiring Roma professionals.

He highlights the need for systemic changes in the Roma community to foster more doctors, advocating for sustainable and effective solutions rather than just financial aid.

Deme shares his experiences in both Slovakia and the Czech Republic, noting the differences in healthcare systems and expressing a desire to contribute positively to his community while maintaining his professional identity.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Education in Slovakia

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Education in Slovakia

Milan Dulina, the director of a school in the Luník IX district, emphasizes the need for systemic changes to improve education for Roma children and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He highlights the importance of community involvement in schools, noting that hiring local staff has led to better discipline and respect among students.

The school has achieved notable successes, including sports achievements and a reduction in absenteeism, by fostering a positive environment and engaging students in their education.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Raspberries

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Raspberries

The raspberry harvest season has led many Roma families from southern Serbia to travel to the western part of the country, known for raspberry production, with seasonal workers often traveling by bus.

Daily wages for raspberry pickers start at 5,000 dinars, with some workers earning more based on their performance, and employers typically provide accommodation and meals.

Seasonal work is crucial for many Roma families, who often move from one harvest to another throughout the summer, with the income supporting household expenses and family needs.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Fentanyl in Bulgaria

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Fentanyl in Bulgaria

Residents of the “Hristo Botev” neighborhood in Sofia report a severe drug problem, particularly with fentanyl, affecting local youth and leading to alarming incidents.

Community members express frustration over the lack of police action and accountability, claiming that drug use is rampant and children are becoming increasingly incapacitated.

Families are suffering from the consequences of drug addiction, with personal stories highlighting the dangers and violence associated with the drug trade in the area.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Politics and Roma

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Politics and Roma

The article critiques the political style of Dávid Endre, the deputy mayor of Székelyudvarhely, Romania, highlighting his use of enemy-focused politics that perpetuates social tensions rather than addressing underlying issues.

It discusses the problematic representation of the Roma community in media and film, particularly criticizing a documentary that portrays them solely through the lens of suffering without addressing structural causes of their poverty.

The author argues for the need for more nuanced and responsible media portrayals that include Roma voices and stories beyond stereotypes of crime and poverty.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Education Project

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Education Project

A total of 820 Roma children received educational, social, and psychological services as part of an inclusion program, with over 6,000 participating in intercultural dialogue activities to foster understanding among children from different backgrounds.

The project aims to improve access to education and increase school attendance for Roma children in 15 localities, with over 95% promotion rate among monitored children, indicating effective interventions.

The initiative, supported by the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation and the Ministry of Education, also developed a common methodological package for educational institutions and created a unique monitoring database for Roma population data.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

Elvis Beriša, the executive director of the NGO “Walk with Us,” discussed the marginalization of the Roma community in Montenegro in a podcast episode titled “Roma and Political Parties – Between Representation and Marginalization.”

He described the current status of the Roma community as “very unequal” compared to other minority communities, a sentiment he has held for the past decade.

Beriša emphasized that perceptions of the Roma community are changing slowly, and there is a need for greater awareness of their ability to participate in policy-making at both state and local levels.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Exhibition in Romania

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Exhibition in Romania

A new exhibition in Bucharest titled “The History of the Roma Belongs Here” combines video interviews, portrait photography, and scholarly literature to provide an overview of Roma history and culture in Romania, aiming to challenge public perceptions of the minority.

Curators Delia Popa and Luiza Medeleanu emphasize the importance of showcasing diverse Roma voices and addressing the misconceptions and prejudices surrounding the community.

The exhibition, funded by the EU’s NARDIV project, runs until July 5 at the Goethe Institute and encourages visitors to engage with the narratives and history of the Roma.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Udvar Festival

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Udvar Festival

The article discusses the Udvar Festival in Arló, Hungary, which celebrates the Roma community and its rich culture through music and community events.

The festival has grown significantly over five years, now featuring multiple concert venues and numerous performers, emphasizing cultural and social goals.

Local initiatives aim to engage families and improve community ties, addressing poverty and promoting positive aspects of Roma culture.

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