Josef Schmidt, born in 1971, grew up in a former Roma settlement in Burgenland, Austria, and faced discrimination during his school years, including being called derogatory names.

A recent police warning about “traveling people” has reignited feelings of discrimination among Roma, with Schmidt expressing concern that it unfairly stereotypes all Roma.

Organizations like Romano Centro in Vienna support both long-standing and newly arrived Roma and Sinti in Austria, focusing on employment, crisis support for women, and educational assistance for students.

• Autochthon oder neu zugezogen: Die Roma, In: ORF. 08.10.2026. https://oe1.orf.at/programm/20261008/845819/Autochthon-oder-neu-zugezogen-Die-Roma