Welcome Stelina!
The ERGO Network Secretariat team is growing! This week a new European Solidarity Corps volunteer Stelina Dungaj from Albania joined us in Brussels.
She will stay with us until the end of June 2025 to learn more about how we work and support all our work areas.
Here is more about Stelina in her own words:
I am Stelina from Albania, a young Roma woman dedicated to becoming the best version of myself, not only for personal growth but to inspire and uplift my community, especially the youth. My passion has driven me to seek out knowledge and insights into the current conditions of Roma across Central and Eastern Europe. Through my analysis, I’ve identified racism as a key barrier holding Roma back, with the path to change lying in combating antigypsyism at both institutional and grassroots levels.
Completing my MA in Sociology and Social Anthropology at CEU, obtaining an Advanced Certificate in Romani Studies, and engaging with various Roma NGOs have equipped me with extensive knowledge of Roma and the immediate issues that need to be addressed, particularly through research, policy making and advocacy. These experiences have only fuelled my enthusiasm for observing and analysing the Roma situation within European institutions. Consequently, I have focused on the Roma Framework and Strategic Plans, evaluating the effectiveness of policies over time and recommending improvements.
I firmly believe that change should start from within and for this reason I will be contributing at ERGO Network as the New Solidarity Corps Volunteer. I am excited for the given opportunity where besides my passion and professional aspirations I will be contributing immensely in the communication part to ensure an effective outreach and engagement over the next 10 months. I believe that through the communication work I will be doing I can gain knowledge on policy topics and issues that are going on, while creating the space for me to grow more in this area.
As a new team member of ERGO, I am eager to challenge myself and, as I always say, work diligently towards changing societal narratives about minorities from being seen as “the other” to being recognized as “us.” Besides that, I am a very social person who loves music and conversations about different topics. I sing and make covers of different songs to post on my social media. I love travelling, coffee and good company.