Tag Archives: Integration

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+.

Greece News Western Europe

Roma History and Inclusion

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Roma History and Inclusion

Panagiotis Charitos is a prominent social worker in Greece, dedicated to the education, social inclusion, and empowerment of Roma communities, with a strong academic background and extensive professional experience.

He has initiated various programs and projects aimed at improving educational access for Roma children, including the establishment of a Creative Activity Center and a Football Academy for Roma children.

Charitos has also been active in local politics, serving as a municipal councilor and advocating for Roma rights and social policies that promote equality and inclusion.

He is involved in the first Greek magazine dedicated to the history and culture of the Roma, titled “Unknown Culture of the Roma,” aims to document and preserve Roma heritage and promote positive examples from the community.

The magazine is a collective effort involving Roma scientists, educators, and community members, focusing on the rich traditions, values, and contributions of the Roma people.

It seeks to combat stereotypes and promote understanding between Roma communities and wider society, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities and respect for Roma culture.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Budapest Walk

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Budapest Walk

The new Józsefváros walk of the UCCU Foundation takes stock of the obvious and often invisible places of the Roma cultural presence.

This is not the first city walk of the UCCU Roma Informal Foundation, but the first one in Józsefváros – the foundation operates in the district, previously in H13, now in József utca. UCCU is not an average Roma advocacy organization, it is characterized by the self-awareness and independence of the Z generation (20–30 years old). The walk was also led by two young people, Norbert Horváth, who is already beyond his university years, and Csilla Berki, who is still a university student, who were also accompanied by Szilvia Szénási, the head of the foundation.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia: New Project

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Slovenia: New Project

A new Slovenian project addresses the prevention of early and forced marriages, gender equality, women’s empowerment, and combating anti-Roma sentiment to enhance the skills of public officials working with the Roma community.

A training session was held online on June 12, 2026, focusing on various aspects of working with Roma youth, emphasizing inter-institutional cooperation and the role of social work centers. The training included presentations from government representatives and educational leaders, highlighting the importance of education in the lives of Roma youth and sharing best practices in inter-institutional collaboration.

Nice, but what is the impact?

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldovan Mediators

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Moldovan Mediators

The Moldovan government approved changes to the regulations governing community mediators to enhance their effectiveness in assisting Roma families in accessing public services.

Community mediators will now have expanded responsibilities, including identifying vulnerable individuals and facilitating their contact with relevant public services. The reform includes ongoing professional training for mediators and aims to improve service quality and resource efficiency, promoting social inclusion and educational access for Roma children.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldovan National Program

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Moldovan National Program

The central goal of the Moldovan Roma National 2027-2030 Program is to enhance social inclusion and ensure equitable access for Roma to education, health, employment, social protection, and public participation.

The program includes measures to combat discrimination, develop community mediators, and promote Roma culture, validated by a meeting involving various stakeholders including government representatives and civil society organizations. Emphasis is placed on reducing inequalities and increasing access to quality public services, with active involvement from all stakeholders deemed essential for the program’s success.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Serbia

Hungary and Roma

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Hungary and Roma

Under the new leadership of Prime Minister Peter Mađar, Hungary is taking significant steps to address discrimination against the Roma community, marking a historic moment in the country’s political landscape.

The new government includes four Roma parliament members, with Krištijan Kesegi becoming the first Roma vice president, signaling a shift towards greater representation.

Despite the positive gestures, Roma leaders remain cautious and are waiting to see if these symbolic changes will lead to real policy reforms and improvements in their socio-economic conditions.

However, Aba-Horváth István, a Roma minority spokesperson in Hungary, expresses disappointment over the loss of prestige in parliamentary representation for the Roma community, feeling they missed a historic opportunity for a genuine voice in parliament.

He criticizes the lack of cooperation from Debrecen representatives and the prevailing divisive political culture, which he believes undermines collaboration and community building.

News Eastern Europe Serbia

Roma Inclusion

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Roma Inclusion

A ceremony was held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Office for the Inclusion of Roma, which has worked to improve the position of the Roma community in Vojvodina for two decades. Key achievements over the past twenty years include better integration of Roma into society, increased access to education, employment, healthcare, and improved living conditions.

Officials emphasized the importance of continued support for the Roma community through various programs aimed at education, economic empowerment, and strengthening institutional support.

Hungary News Eastern Europe

Magyar and Roma

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Magyar and Roma

Under Viktor Orban, the Roma community faced severe discrimination and marginalization, but the new Prime Minister Peter Magyar is making efforts to address antiziganism and include Roma voices in politics.

A significant moment occurred during the inaugural session of the National Assembly when Roma children performed their anthem, symbolizing a shift in political representation for the Roma community.

Magyar’s government has pledged to end discrimination against Roma, improve their living conditions, and reform public works programs, but skepticism remains about the sincerity and effectiveness of these promises.

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