ERGO Network

The Future of Roma in Europe: Combating Antigypsyism in the Face of Rising Far-Right Trends and European Elections

International Roma Day 2024 marks not only a celebration of Roma culture and heritage—as it will often be seen and carried out by national governments and international institutions—but, most importantly, a critical moment to reflect on the ongoing challenges Roma, Sinti, and Travellers across Europe face.

This year, the International Day marks the launch of the Romani Week 2024, a yearly event coordinated in Brussels by the ERGO Network for civil society organisations, European institutions, and other international and intergovernmental organisations. It aims to raise awareness of the situation of Roma, Sinti, and Travellers in Europe. All relevant stakeholders, including Roma representatives and European youth, attend the event. This time, it coincides with a pivotal moment in European politics — the upcoming European elections. The voices and rights of marginalised communities, including Roma, are at stake amidst the rise of far-right movements and the looming shadow of antigypsyism.

The director of ERGO Network Gabriela Hrabanova commented that in recent years, Europe has witnessed a surge in anti-racism movements spurred by initiatives like Black Lives Matter:

“However, paradoxically, this surge has been accompanied by the ominous rise of far-right ideologies and xenophobic sentiments across the continent. These trends manifest not only in street-level bigotry but also in the corridors of power, with far-right political groups gaining ground and threatening to reshape the European political landscape.”

At the heart of these challenges lies the pervasive issue of antigypsyism — an entrenched form of racism and discrimination specifically targeting Roma. Despite efforts at the European level to address this systemic injustice, progress remains obstructed by the lack of political will and fragmented policies across member states. National Roma Strategic Frameworks often falter in implementation, leaving Roma communities vulnerable to social exclusion and marginalisation.

Against this backdrop, Romani Week 2024 emerges as a dialogue, advocacy, and action platform. Its objectives are clear: to foster discussions on political, economic, and human rights changes in Europe and ensure that Roma, Sinti, and Travellers are not sidelined in these conversations. By amplifying our voices and experiences, Romani Week aims to compel policymakers to prioritise the equality, inclusion, and participation of Roma communities across all spheres of society.

Key topics on the agenda include the alarming threats posed by antigypsyism and structural discrimination, the imperative of promoting Roma participation in decision-making processes, and the urgent need to monitor and implement National Roma Strategic Frameworks effectively. Moreover, Romani Week will advocate for truth and reconciliation processes to confront historical injustices and pave the way for a more equitable future.

Today on International Roma Day – a day when our voices are heard probably a little louder than usual – let us reaffirm our commitment to combatting antigypsyism and advancing the rights of Roma, Sinti, and Travellers. Let us harness the power of collective action to challenge bigotry, dismantle systemic barriers, and build a Europe where every individual, regardless of ethnicity or background, can thrive and flourish. In the upcoming European elections, let us vote with empathy, solidarity, and inclusivity, ensuring that the voices of Roma communities are counted in shaping the future of our continent.

Position: Administrative Assistant

ERGO Network is hiring a full-time Administrative Assistant to join its team in Brussels.

ERGO Network

ERGO Network (www.ergonetwork.org) brings together 30 members from across Europe and supports organisations with a common perspective on Roma grassroots empowerment and equal citizenship to challenge stereotypes and combat stigmatization. We mobilize and connect organisations and individuals that share and express our values – active citizenship, shared responsibility, and passion to strengthen Roma civil society involvement in decision-making at local, national and European levels and to address existing shortcomings of policies targeted at Roma.

With ERGO Network’s secretariat growing rapidly, we are searching for an Administrative Assistant to support the team in all logistical matters.

Roles and responsibilities

Events logistics: Liaising with participants, booking venues and flights, preparing material and documentation, taking minutes and other tasks related to event logistics.

Contracting and finances: Supporting other team members in administrative contracting procedures, invoicing, dealing with reimbursements to participants, collecting financial evidence, and working closely with the financial manager to prepare and file financial documents.

Office management: Liaising with the Mundo Matonge management and the ERGO Network team about any issues regarding our office space, ordering office materials etc.

Other administrative tasks: Supporting the team in any other administrative tasks, such as data entry, filing etc.

Candidate’s profile

Essential

Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Experience with event management
Good written and verbal communication skills in English
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Teams, Outlook, Word)
Meticulous and rigorous in following guidelines
Good time-management skills and the ability to prioritize work
Attention to detail and good problem-solving skills
A proactive mindset, willing to take the initiative, and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving

Desirable

Previous experience with supporting financial administration (bookkeeping, invoicing, etc.)
French language skills and other EU languages are also considered an advantage.
Understanding of racism and experience in working with Roma communities

Conditions

The location of work is Brussels, with some home office possible.
Starting date: May 21^st 2024, or as soon as possible.
Please note that, unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor a work permit for this position.

We offer:

An undetermined full-time contract (37,5 hours per week) under Belgian law.
Salary: 2.400 EUR per month gross salary coupled with various legal and extra-legal benefits: 13th-month salary, holiday bonus, luncheon vouchers (8€ per working day), transport allowance (49€ per month), hospitalisation insurance, additional 7 days of holidays per year.
An organisation committed to the values of democracy, fairness, integrity and sustainability.
A friendly and respectful work environment.

Application procedure

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the application form to info@ergonetwork.org by April 23^rd 2024, 23:59 CET, indicating “Application Administrative Assistant” in the subject line. This email address can also be used for further information and questions. A CV or motivation letter is not necessary in addition to the application form.

Successful candidates will be invited to interviews in Brussels during the week of April 22nd. Online interviews will also be considered.

ERGO is an equal opportunities employer. We respect our employees’ private life, including where they take care roles. We strive to be an inclusive organisation and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.

Welcome to our Project Coordinator

Welcome to our new team member

The ERGO Network secretariat is growing! We welcome Marko Pecak, a new team member who joined as the Project Coordinator for Jekhipe.

Within the ERGO Secretariat, Marko has the following responsibilities:

Coordination of the Jekhipe project
Work on anti-discrimination and antigypsyism files
Coordination of transitional justice initiatives

On International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day (8th of March), Roma women stand alongside women worldwide. While the day is often marked by celebration, we come together not just for celebrations but to raise our voices and demand change.

The Roma women, especially the young women of our communities, are powerful agents for Change. We fight for education, economic opportunities, and a voice to be heard within our families, communities, and society. We challenge traditional gender roles and advocate for equality. We face the double burden of discrimination: one based on ethnicity from society and another based on gender within our communities.

Yet, we stand in solidarity with all women on this day and every day. Let us share our achievements, amplify each other’s voices, and break down the barriers that hold us back. Together, we can create a world where all women, regardless of ethnicity, colour, religion, or sexual orientation, can succeed in a just and equal society.

(by Siljana Hyseni)

New European Solidarity Corps volunteer in ERGO Network

Welcome Siljana!

The ERGO Network Secretariat team is growing! This winter a new European Solidarity Corps volunteer Siljana Hyseni from Albania joined us in Brussels.

She will stay with us until the end of April to learn more about how we work and support all our work areas.

Here is more about Siljana in her own words:

I am a Roma woman from Albania with a strong interest in working for civil society. From a young age, as a volunteer, I joined different Roma-led NGOs, which significantly impacted my academic endeavours and equipped me with a unique perspective on human rights, social justice, and the fight against antigypsyism.

Completing a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from New York University in Tirana has equipped me with a thorough understanding of global challenges, the importance of intercultural communication, and the necessity of social justice. Throughout my academic journey, I have explored in depth the role of international organisations in conflict resolution and the rights of marginalised communities.

My passion for social justice led me to focus on the impact of armed conflicts on Roma refugees, a group often overlooked and marginalised in times of war. I am particularly interested in shedding light on their experiences and advocating for their rights as they face unjust treatment and discrimination in their search for safety and refuge.

I firmly believe that change starts at the grassroots level, and I am committed to being a voice for those whose voices are often silenced. My goal is to continue advocating for the rights and dignity of the Roma minority, working towards a society where everyone, regardless of their background, has equal opportunities and access to justice.

I am excited to continue this journey of advocacy and empowerment, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the work of ERGO Network. Being at ERGO Network, I have the chance to engage and gain a European perspective on the challenges faced by the Roma minority.