Category Archives: News Eastern Europe

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.

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.

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.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Desegregation?

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Desegregation?

The regional council for ethnic and integration issues in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria,  will discuss the desegregation of minorities, following a meeting between local officials and the Amalipe Center leadership.

Key topics include school retention for children, overcoming segregation, preventing youth aggression, and addressing early marriages, with a report to be presented to the government based on expert opinions.

The Amalipe Center is actively working with schools and conducting a mental health survey among minority representatives, while advocating for civic engagement and addressing the lack of political representation for Roma and minorities since 2009.

  • Областна администрация и “Амалипе” с инициатива срещу сегрегацията в региона. In: Borbag. 19.10.2026. https://www.borbabg.com/2026/10/19/oblastna-administratsiya-i-amalipe/
  • Областният съвет за етнически и интеграционни въпроси във Велико Търново ще обсъди десегрегацията на малцинствата в региона. In: Utro Ruse. 189.10.2026.https://utroruse.com/amp/1328681/
Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Gamers and Racism

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Gamers and Racism

The Czech Facebook group “Nerds for Themselves” (Nerdi sobě) has become a platform for discussing retro games but has also revealed pervasive antigypsyism and racism in the Czech Republic.

A post featuring a 1990s video game called “Matiční Street” promotes violence against Roma, where players score points by killing Roma characters depicted in a racist manner.

Despite the group’s large membership, there has been no condemnation of the racist content, highlighting a troubling acceptance of racism within Czech society.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Roma Pride

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Roma Pride

Participants at the Roma Pride and Dignity Day in Budapest called for partnership with the current and future Hungarian government to address issues faced by the Roma community, emphasizing the importance of their voices in decision-making.

rganizer Oláh József highlighted ongoing issues such as poverty, housing difficulties, and educational segregation, calling for active participation of Roma communities in political changes.

The event featured a declaration advocating for shared responsibility and collaboration, with Roma professionals seeking involvement in policy-making and implementation processes.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Parliamentary Debate

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Parliamentary Debate

Participants in a parliamentary debate emphasized that political opposition should not justify personal attacks, advocating for respect for human dignity regardless of differing opinions.

Daróczi Ágnes criticized laws that disadvantage marginalized groups, particularly the Roma, and called for coordinated action against discriminatory regulations.

The discussion highlighted the need for the new government to address fundamental rights issues, including restrictions on movement and access to literature, while also exploring ways to combat social prejudices.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

The NGO ‘Mladi Romi’ emphasizes that education and employment are crucial for overcoming poverty among Roma and Egyptian families in Montenegro, highlighting persistent issues despite some progress over the past 21 years.

Recent studies indicate that a significant percentage of Roma children lack access to early education and that only a small fraction of young adults complete secondary education, underscoring the need for systemic change.

The organization calls for increased investment in education, legal employment opportunities, and active involvement of the Roma community in creating sustainable solutions to poverty.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Serbia and Votes

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Serbia and Votes

Robert Kasumović, a Romani activist, claims that the ruling party in Niš uses threats and coercion to control the Romani community for personal gain, with severe consequences for the community’s welfare.

Srđan Šajn, president of the Roma Party, has called for an investigation into alleged coercion of socially vulnerable groups, including Roma, to attend a Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) rally in Novi Sad. He claims that a meeting with Roma leaders discussed financial incentives for attending the rally, potentially linked to voting for SNS in upcoming elections.

Despite the existence of seven Romani parties, their influence is minimal, and there is a lack of political interest in Romani issues, leading to a stagnation in community integration and worsening conditions over the past fifteen years.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria: Vote Buying?

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Bulgaria: Vote Buying?

Roma in Ruse were reportedly offered around 300 euros per vote during the elections.

Their leader, Varban Varbanov, organized a protest to alert authorities about political pressure and threats he received from a local party representative.

Varbanov claims that intermediaries were pressuring him to influence the Roma community to vote for a specific presidential candidate pair in the upcoming elections.

https://youtu.be/tucKgTBIVmU

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Special Schools

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Special Schools

An investigative report reveals that Roma children in Slovakia are being improperly transferred to special schools despite performing well academically, raising concerns about systemic discrimination. The report highlights that many of these children come from marginalized communities and that the special schools receive significantly higher funding per student compared to regular schools.

The Ministry of Education acknowledges the issue as a long-standing problem but defends the director of the special school involved, despite evidence of increasing enrollment in such institutions. In that special school in Snina, he number of students has increased by over 45% in two years.

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