Category Archives: Slovenia

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

The Roma Community Council of Slovenia has opened its first office in southeastern Slovenia, located in Kočevje, to improve connections with the Roma community, municipalities, and organizations in the region.

A full-time coordinator will manage the office, facilitating initiatives, sharing information, and enhancing communication between local Roma and the council.

Local and state representatives expect the office to foster better dialogue on issues related to education, employment, and the integration of Roma individuals.

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 Serbia Slovenia

So Vakeres?

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So Vakeres?

The Romani show “So vakeres – Kaj govoriš?” airs twice a month and is produced by Romani journalists in Serbia.

Approximately 500,000 Roma live unofficially in Serbia, striving for greater equality through various organizations and media.

The international project “Roma Soul Food” preserves Romani memories and stories through culinary traditions, including a cooking competition for traditional Romani dishes, which symbolizes the activation and integration of Roma into society.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Concert

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Concert

A concert celebrating World Romani Language Day on November 5, will feature the band Amala, led by composer Imer Traja Brizani, showcasing their new album ‘Amala 30’.

The performance will include original compositions and timeless Romani classics, divided into acoustic and electric segments, featuring various instruments and a vocal section.

Special guest Oto Pestner will join the concert alongside international soloists, aiming to create a transcultural bridge and promote coexistence among nations.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenian Project

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Slovenian Project

The project has involved over 200 Roma individuals from three municipalities, focusing on individual and family counseling, educational support for children and youth, and workshops to promote education and social inclusion.

Concrete activities have been implemented to improve living conditions, including the installation of raised garden beds to encourage gardening and healthy eating, along with community engagement.

The project emphasizes understanding Roma culture, history, and language, and aims to strengthen trust and social inclusion between the Roma community and the local environment.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Integration

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Slovenia and Integration

A delegation from the Office for Nationalities visited Kočevje to discuss the integration of the Roma community, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in education and employment.

The mayor emphasized the need for reform in social welfare to encourage employment among the Roma, as current benefits can disincentivize work.

Concerns were raised about the financial burden on the municipality due to damages caused by individuals in the Roma community, with a call for accountability and support for those willing to integrate and work.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Local Elections

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Local Elections

Local elections in Dolenjska and neighboring regions in Slovenia are set for November 15, where voters from the Roma community will elect their representative to the municipal council.

Municipal electoral commissions have started announcing information regarding the candidacy for the Roma community representative, which can be determined by signatures from community members or appointed by a local Roma organization.

The upcoming elections will clarify who will take on the role of the Roma community representative in the municipal council for the term 2022-2026.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Discrimination

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Discrimination

The story of a Roma boy’s first day at school, where classmates reportedly rejected him based on his ethnicity, was shared by his mother on social media.

The school principal confirmed the incident, stating it was an isolated case of inappropriate behavior among students, and emphasized the school’s commitment to equality and respectful relationships.

The article highlights the broader societal issue of discrimination against Romani children and calls for reflection on the impact of such rejection on young students.

Well, Slovenia’s general attitude towards Roma is not really positive …

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Kindergarten Enrolment

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Kindergarten Enrolment

In the Slovenian municipalities of Šentjernej, Škocjan, and Šmarješke Toplice, acceptance of Children in kindergartens is supposed to be easy and fast.

However, despite a large Roma population in Šentjernej, no Roma children are currently enrolled in local kindergartens, highlighting challenges in getting them to school.

The number of children with special needs is increasing, while overall birth rates are declining, affecting kindergarten enrollment numbers.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma in Slovenia

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Roma in Slovenia

Melisa Gutmann and Sandi Horvat are members of the Slovenian Roma Academic Club (RAK), which was founded in 2008. Horvat joined it two years later and has been its president for the past few years, while Gutmann is the vice president, who has been working in the club for ten years. We bring you their stories, their rich experiences, observations and warnings about what the real problem is… Read the double interview, from which it is clear: “The problem is not the Roma, the problem is in the system, which has been repeating the same mistakes for decades.”

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Racism in School

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Racism in School

On the first day of school at Šmihel Primary School in Novo mesto, Slovenia, a Roma child was bullied by classmates who expressed their refusal to be in the same class as him, highlighting ongoing discrimination against Roma children in schools.

The mother of the bullied child emphasized that such discrimination starts early and worsens over time, with complaints about Roma children beginning in the first grade.

Local Roma councilor Bojan Tudja noted that incidents of discrimination are common and that schools often fail to address these issues, leading to a negative environment for Roma students.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Romani Zour

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Romani Zour

The Romani Zour program, aimed at increasing employment among the Roma community in Kočevje, has seen limited success, with only three out of 18 participants securing jobs after six months.

According to the artcile, many Roma prefer to rely on social help rather than seek employment, as they often receive more financial support through these programs than they would earn from jobs. The program faces challenges, including a lack of interest from local employers and the need for better planning and support for participants, such as providing meals during work hours.

The issue is as usual racism and education …

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Imer Traja Brizani

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Imer Traja Brizani

Imer Traja Brizani, a prominent Romani musician and composer, celebrates 30 years of his group Amala and 46 years of artistic creation, blending Romani music with jazz and classical influences.

He emphasizes the importance of music as a means to break stereotypes and foster cultural dialogue, highlighting his family’s musical legacy and collaborations with notable artists.

Brizani advocates for better understanding and support for the Romani community in Slovenia, stressing the need for professional knowledge to combat stereotypes and promote genuine inclusion.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma in Slovenia

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Roma in Slovenia

The Council of the Roma Community in Slovenia urges the government to adopt a comprehensive and inclusive approach to address key issues facing the Roma community, emphasizing the need for dialogue and responsibility from all institutions.

They highlight the importance of legalizing Roma settlements and improving basic infrastructure, as living conditions directly affect health, education, and employment opportunities.

The council condemns the rise of anti-Romani sentiment and calls for stricter sanctions against hate speech, public education for officials, and campaigns to combat stereotypes.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

The Slovenian Council of the Roma Community, led by Jožek Horvat Muc, emphasizes the need for the regulation and legalization of Roma settlements, active economic inclusion, and the sanctioning of hate speech.

They call for a clear political framework based on dialogue and responsibility, adhering to the principle of ‘nothing about Roma without Roma’.

The council advocates for improved living conditions, active labor market participation, and stronger measures against anti-Roma sentiment, including public education campaigns.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Culture

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Culture

Young Roma from Brezje and Jedinščica explored radio and Roma culture in Prekmurje, Slovenia, visiting various cultural centers and participating in media workshops.

The initiative aims to provide opportunities for young Roma to learn about their culture and improve their social skills, fostering interregional connections and self-confidence.

Participants expressed enthusiasm for the experience, highlighting the importance of community engagement and the desire to pursue their goals despite challenges.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Maribor Roma

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Maribor Roma

The article features Murim Baftiarov, an activist working to improve the position of the Roma community in Maribor, emphasizing the importance of education, support, and collaboration with the wider society.

Since 2023, he has been involved with the Roma association ‘Sprememba Takoj’, which aims to bridge the gap between the Roma and Slovenian communities and promote positive changes for Roma in Maribor.

He shares his personal educational journey and highlights the need for professional assistance to enhance stability and conditions within the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia Education

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Slovenia Education

Nine months after the Ombudsman submitted a report on the education of Roma children to the National Assembly, there has been no discussion on it, prompting the Ombudsman to call for action.

The report, sent in October 2025, includes 19 recommendations aimed at improving the educational progress of Roma children and fostering coexistence with the majority population.

The Ombudsman emphasizes the urgency of addressing educational failures, especially following a tragedy in Novo mesto that highlighted the need for effective measures in education and integration.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

The Novo mesto Society for the Development of Voluntary Work organized a day trip for young Roma from Brezje and Jedinščica to the Prekmurje Roma community, where they visited various cultural and educational sites.

The trip aimed to enhance the young Roma’s understanding of their culture and language, as well as to expose them to successful practices in the region, fostering their educational and employment aspirations.

Participants expressed their excitement about the experience, highlighting the importance of such opportunities for personal growth and community connection.

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