Tag Archives: Integration

Greece News Western Europe

Social Integration

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Social Integration

The Greek Central Macedonia Region is implementing a targeted social integration program for vulnerable groups, allocating 3 million euros through regional funding to support Roma children and parents.

The program will cover seven municipalities with significant Roma populations, including areas in western Thessaloniki and the regions of Veria and Naousa.

The initiatives align with the National Strategy for Roma 2021-2030, aiming to enhance social cohesion and create a protective network for the most vulnerable social groups.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe

Czechia and Roma

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Czechia and Roma

According to lawyer Maroš Matiaško, the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of the death of Stanislav Tomáš could be a key verdict for the protection of the rights of Roma in the Czech Republic. According to him, the court named errors in the police intervention, shortcomings in the subsequent investigation and the state’s failure to investigate a possible racial motive. Matiaško represents the deceased’s sister in cooperation with the European Roma Rights Center and the Human Rights Forum.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

Ivan Radulović emphasizes the need to correct the position of the Roma and Egyptian communities in Montenegro before implementing guaranteed parliamentary mandates for minority representatives.

He argues that while guaranteed mandates are necessary, they should not replace affirmative action but rather complement it, ensuring fairness in existing measures.

The call for a lower electoral threshold for Roma and Egyptians has been ongoing for over a decade, but reforms to electoral laws are currently stalled, raising concerns about genuine representation in parliament.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Internship

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Internship

The Budapest Józsefvárosi Municipality is launching an eight-month internship program for Roma youth to gain practical experience in public administration with mentorship support.

The program aims to facilitate the social integration of Roma youth into the labor market and is open to students in higher education or vocational training with ties to Józsefváros.

Interns will receive a gross monthly stipend of 215,000 HUF and will work under the guidance of experienced mentors in various municipal departments.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Summer Camp

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Summer Camp

A five-day summer camp in Slovenia, organized by the Creative Youth Association in collaboration with the Sports Union of Murska Sobota allowed children to explore various professions through play, creativity, and movement.

Activities included visits to local institutions such as Radio Romic, the Murska Sobota Police Station, and the Health Center, where children learned about different careers and community roles.

The camp emphasized creativity, teamwork, and respect for various professions, culminating in an exhibition of the children’s work, showcasing their experiences and new friendships formed during the camp.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Arakhel …

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Arakhel …

The city of Pirot has been selected as the pilot city for the regional project “Arakhel,” aimed at improving protection and support for Romani women victims of gender-based and domestic violence.

The project, led by the Bibija Romani Women’s Center in partnership with civil society organizations from Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, is supported by the European Union.

Key goals include establishing a specialized center for comprehensive support for Romani women facing violence and enhancing trust in institutions to encourage reporting of violence and seeking help.

News Western Europe Norway

Oecumenical Initiative

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Oecumenical Initiative

Representatives of the Ecumenical Community presented a model for social inclusion of Roma at a meeting of European networks in Oslo, focusing on combating extreme poverty.

The initiative aimed to exchange experiences and establish effective methods for fighting poverty and social isolation through concrete integration models.

The article expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of such models, suggesting they often remain theoretical and do not address the deep-rooted issues of poverty and prejudice in European societies.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education In Moldova

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Education In Moldova

A consultative meeting organized by the Ministry of Education in Soroca focused on improving access to education for Roma children and preventing school dropout.

The meeting included local authorities, educational institutions, community mediators, civil society organizations, and parents, discussing affirmative measures to support Roma students. The importance of early education and collaboration between authorities, schools, and the Roma community was emphasized to create a more inclusive educational environment.

Proposed measures include reserving 10% of places in first and tenth grades for Roma children, admission facilities for vocational and higher education, merit scholarships, and increased social scholarships for vulnerable families.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Education in Slovenia

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Education in Slovenia

Eleven Roma students from the Kher šu beši Day Center visited the mayor of Trebnje, Mateja Povhe, after regularly attending school and center activities. The mayor emphasized the importance of education for achieving their dreams and encouraged the children to continue attending school for better opportunities.

The municipality of Trebnje is actively promoting the inclusion of Roma children in education, recognizing it as essential for their personal development and successful integration into society.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Action Plan Serbia

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Action Plan Serbia

The Serbian government has established a Coordination Body to monitor the implementation of the Action Plan for minority rights for 2026-2029, aiming for better coordination among institutions.

Despite the positive signal of this initiative, past experiences suggest that creating new bodies does not guarantee significant improvements for minority communities.

The success of the Coordination Body will depend on its ability to translate decisions into concrete actions that improve education, employment, and reduce discrimination for minorities, particularly the Roma community.

We do have some doubts …

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Action Plan Montenegro

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Action Plan Montenegro

The Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy to improve the quality of life for Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro (2026-2027) aims to enhance their social standing through specific measures in education, employment, health care, and social protection.

Key initiatives include increasing educational access, job training programs, and the establishment of mediators to facilitate communication between communities and institutions.

The plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration among government bodies, local authorities, and civil society to achieve tangible results in improving the living conditions and rights of the Roma and Egyptian communities.

News Eastern Europe Romania

Roma in Romania

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Roma in Romania

This Hungarian article discusses the challenges faced by the Roma community in Romania, highlighting the negative connotations associated with the term “cigány” (Gypsy) and the lack of unity among different Roma groups. Orsolya Csata, president of the Right Association, shares her efforts to create a social sewing workshop aimed at providing skills and employment opportunities for Roma children and adults.

The article emphasizes the need for systemic change and support for the Roma community, criticizing the lack of action from authorities and the misuse of EU funds intended for social programs.

Greece News Western Europe

Integration?

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Integration?

A new initiative in Patras aims to support and integrate Roma communities through the establishment of a ‘Roma Neighborhood Center’ with a budget of €797,513.77, as part of the Western Greece 2021-2027 program.

The initiative focuses on direct engagement with Roma families to identify and address their challenges, particularly in areas with high Roma populations facing social issues and crime.

The center will utilize music as a tool for social change, promoting education, community participation, and positive role models for Roma children, in collaboration with distinguished Roma artists.

So basically, they are using stereotypes … So far, this has not shown real success anywhere.

Bulgaria News Eastern Europe

Bulgaria and Roma

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Bulgaria and Roma

Bulgarian Justice Minister Nikolai Naydenov presented the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups’ rights to Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, during his visit to Sofia.

Key topics discussed included the rights of elderly individuals in institutions and the rights of Roma people regarding the removal of illegal structures that serve as their homes, in line with European Court of Human Rights practices.

The Bulgarian government has implemented measures such as criminal liability for unlicensed social care homes and has made progress in legal protections against poor conditions in social institutions, as noted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

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 Western Europe United Kingdom

UK and Roma

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UK and Roma

Alexandra Bahor, a Roma activist in Liverpool, advocates for Roma rights and challenges stereotypes about Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities, emphasizing their diversity and unique needs.

She highlights the importance of meaningful partnerships between GRT communities and organizations, advocating for their involvement in decision-making processes.

Alexandra calls for recognition of anti-Gypsyism as a specific form of racism and encourages individuals to question stereotypes and listen to Roma voices to foster understanding and change.

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.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia: Conference

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Slovenia: Conference

An international Roma conference is taking place in Murska Sobota, focusing on the progress, challenges, and future of the Roma community, twenty years after intensified policies were initiated.

Jožek Horvat Muc, president of the Roma Community Council, noted some improvements due to political measures, but highlighted ongoing issues like access to education, housing, and basic utilities. The conference emphasizes the need for greater Roma involvement in decision-making and a coordinated EU approach to address the community’s challenges.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Education

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Moldova and Education

Several articles in the Moldovan press about new measures regarding the integration of Roma in education. Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, special admission quotas and scholarships will be available for Roma students in schools, colleges, and universities, with 10% of available spots reserved for them.

Roma students will be exempt from admission fees and can access funded places, with a total of 120 individuals receiving financial support, including monthly scholarships of 1,200 lei.

The initiative aims to eliminate barriers to education for Roma children and ensure equal opportunities, as stated by Ivan Duminica from the Ministry of Education and Research.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Young Roma in Slovenia

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Young Roma in Slovenia

The article discusses an international roundtable event focused on creating an open society for youth, held in Murska Sobota, Slovenia, which brought together various stakeholders in youth work.

Key topics included challenges faced by marginalized youth, the importance of education and active participation, and the role of local communities in supporting youth initiatives.

Participants emphasized the need for collaboration among local communities, schools, NGOs, and youth to foster inclusive and quality youth work, highlighting the significance of international programs like Erasmus+.

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