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Perspectives, experiences and narratives from the community.

Roma protest

Hate will not win

6 December 2024
When pro-democracy activists in Romania are threatened, the world as we know it is under attack.
Photo: Gabriel Tudor Balanescu

How Ignoring the Roma Undermines Romania: A Call to Defend the Nation

28 November 2024
The elections in Romania are a test of whether the nation can embrace inclusion and reject the forces undermining its democracy.
Roma march

Romani: A Language of the Future

5 November 2024
The Romani language isn’t just the voice of our people—it’s the voice of Europe. It represents peace, diversity and resilience. If Europe is serious about protecting its heritage and helping its citizens thrive, it cannot ignore Romani.
An empty chair with the Roma flag in the European Parliament

The Empty Chair in the European Parliament

12 June 2024
It is the great consensus across the political spectrum, from the far right to the far left. As different as their views may be, all the parties of the 27 EU countries have agreed: for the first time since 2004, not a single Roma person will be part of the European Parliament.
Neda Korunovska, Roma Foundation for Europe

"We're building communities that speak for themselves"

22 May 2024
Our leadership speaks about the origins and goals of the Roma Foundation for Europe.
Robert Yovni, director of the Charitable Foundation New Generation

"I had moments when everything seemed to fall apart"

13 May 2024
Robert Yovni relies on his faith in God to make it through difficult times, and that faith leads him to help others.
Viktor Ilchak, Roma Soldier in Ukraine

"When I heard on TV that Roma were not fighting for Ukraine, I wanted to show that this is not true"

6 May 2024
Viktor Ilchak doesn't consider himself a hero, but he is proud to be a Roma soldier fighting for Ukraine.
Anzhelika Bielova, Zaporizhzhya/Uzhhorod

"My grandmother showed me that it is possible to become a leader"

26 April 2024
Anzhelika Bielova, founder and president of Voice of Romni, believes anything is possible if you work hard, believe in yourself, stick to your principles and values, and fight for your rights.
Ilya Gerasimov, student

"I am inspired to move forward and achieve my goals, despite the difficulties"

23 April 2024
Ilya Gerasimov, a 20-year-old student from Kyiv, is inspired by the belief that everyone in Ukraine is important and can contribute to victory.
(c) Gabriel Tudor Balanescu

Roma Day: Celebrating Resilience and Unity

8 April 2024
Some say there’s no reason to celebrate World Roma Day, but there are reasons to celebrate with pride—not because we’ve solved the problems of Europe’s Roma but because, despite all the difficulties, we still find ways to progress.
(c) Gabriel Tudor Balanescu

A New Roma-led Vision of Power

4 September 2023
The new, independent Roma Foundation for Europe is backed by a €100 million pledge that builds on more than 30 years of support for Roma causes by the Open Society Foundations.

Q&A: A Step Toward Justice for Roma Women

16 December 2021
In November 2021, Slovakia formally apologized to Roma women for a program of forced sterilizations that stretched out for decades. How a Slovak human rights group helped hold the government accountable.

Where Roma Rights and Environmental Justice Meet

8 June 2021
Leaders in the EU are confronted with a dual obligation—to restore healthy environments for Roma, and to do so with the full participation of Roma communities themselves.

Q&A: Revolutionizing Roma Representation

15 January 2020
With fearless and bold photography, Open Society Foundations Community Youth Fellow Joci Marton is challenging how LGBTI Roma are perceived—by outsiders, but also by themselves.

Roma, Europe, and the Mission of Open Society

4 April 2019
For more than 30 years, the Open Society Foundations and their partners have focused on improving Roma’s access to education and promoting a positive vision of Roma identity.

When Roma Lead the Way to Prosperity

30 May 2018
A small town in northwest Bulgaria shows that when Roma take the leadership, they can establish a framework for justice, equality and prosperity despite racist prejudices and ever-changing political winds.

Fighting Anti-Roma Hate, One Story at a Time

16 May 2018
One Ukraine community's response to an anti-Roma group offers a heartening example to all those who are trying to fight bigotry with compassion, dialogue and understanding.

What Europe’s Roma Know About Defeating the Politics of Supremacy

6 April 2018
This year International Roma Day and a pivotal election in Hungarian coincide. While many Hungarian politicians are promoting racial supremacy, Roma are celebrating their cultural identity as a force to achieve equality.

Q&A: European Roma’s Path to Equality

5 February 2018
Europe's largest ethnic minority is still weighed down by prejudice and misunderstanding. By using a multifaceted strategy of litigation, public education and direct advocacy, the Roma are changing their position.

Q&A: Lessons from the Struggle for Albanian Roma’s Rights

18 January 2018
A recent and critical victory for Albania's Roma may provide marginalised communities around the world with a guide to defending their rights through broad, diverse and flexible coalitions.

The Roma Are Their Own Best Advocates

12 June 2017
With the new European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, there is finally a place where Roma can work together to promote their identity and self-esteem.
Roma musician

It’s Time for Roma People to Speak for Themselves

2 June 2017
After enduring centuries of stereotypes and other false depictions, Roma artists are working together to help their people tell their own story about their history, their art and their contributions to European culture.

In a Time of Turmoil, a Path to Roma Self-Determination

8 April 2017
Despite facing unprecedented crises today, Roma communities can draw on their collective strength and shared history to seize control of their own future.

How a Holocaust Commemoration Can Be a Starting Point for Today’s Roma Advocacy

26 January 2017
When a critical mass of Roma citizens learn their history, they can forge their own sense of identity—and use it to inform their activism.

Why Roma Integration Is a Rare Opportunity for the Western Balkans and Turkey

8 June 2016
On the heels of the Decade of Roma Inclusion, the Roma Integration 2020 initiative will differ from the preceding initiative in key ways.

On International Roma Day, a Call for Courage and Clarity

7 April 2016
In the many events that take place around International Roma Day, we sometimes lose sight of the larger cause: self-determination and international unity.

Why Europe’s “Roma Decade” Didn’t Lead to Inclusion

21 September 2015
The Decade of Roma Inclusion aimed to close the gaps between Roma and the rest of society, but thanks to opportunistic politicians, some of those gaps are wider than ever.

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