Author: Annamaria Psenkova

Roma Women Power! Young Romani women demand their place in the world of work

This is an article presenting the project prepared by Romaversitas Alapitvany, Hungary, given the subgrants under the ERGO sub-granting scheme 2024, funded by the EU

In the summer of 2024, Romaversitas Alapitvany launched an important initiative aimed at supporting young Romani women in Hungary in the employment sector. The project combined desk research, community engagement, and policy advocacy to better understand these challenges, and it laid the groundwork for future advocacy and action.

The project was focused on a systematic desk research study, conducted in June and July. It aimed to uncover insights into the inclusion and exclusion of Romani women in the labour market. The Romaversitas team reviewed policies, employment statistics, and good practices from across Hungary, with a special focus on the barriers that prevent young women from accessing fair and decent work.

Gathering Real-Life Stories

To complete the data, Romaversitas brought together 19 young Romani women from various parts of Hungary, including Pécs, the northeast region, and the outskirts of Budapest, for a community meeting in May. This one-day gathering gave Romaversitas an opportunity to hear directly from those most affected by exclusion in the labour market.

Through open discussions, the women shared their personal stories, the obstacles they’ve faced their entire life, but they also showcased the strength they carried on for so long. These firsthand experiences and testimonies enriched the research with more context, adding powerful voices to the findings. 

The community meeting didn’t just gather stories, it also provided practical help. The young women took part in workshops on CV writing, crafting motivation letters, and communication strategies for job interviews. These sessions helped to build confidence and offered concrete support for those entering or navigating the job market.

Building for the Future

Romaversitas hopes to use the insights gathered from both the research and the personal stories to inform future campaigns and advocacy efforts. In combining research with real community voices, this project shows the value of approaching social challenges with structure. 

Thanks to the openness of the young women who took part, it provides help for future work that is even more inclusive, and grounded in the reality of those who know the issues best.

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Awareness Campaign to Combat Antigypsyism in Catalonia, The Federación de Asociaciones Gitanas de Cataluña – FAGiC, Spain 

This is an article presenting the project prepared by the The Federación de Asociaciones Gitanas de Cataluña – FAGiC, Spain given the subgrants under the ERGO sub-granting scheme 2024, funded by the EU

Cultivating Awareness and Advocacy: FAGiC’s Journey Against Antigypsyism

Over the past months, FAGiC – the Federation of Roma Associations in Catalonia – has been powerfully growing its impact. It involved a series of creative, strategic, and community-rooted activities, and they have worked to raise awareness of antigypsyism and strengthen their advocacy efforts across different sectors of society. The project collaborated with Blanquerna University’s Media Pluralism Monitor to examine media narratives related to discrimination, and it prepared to join the Anti-Rumor Network to combat stereotypes.

Telling Our Stories

Their campaign was mainly focused on the power of storytelling. They partnered with Catalunya Ràdio and La Marina FM to produce a thought-provoking podcast delving into the roots and consequences of antigypsyism. These conversations opened up space for Roma voices to be heard in mainstream media, challenging long-standing narratives and offering fresh perspectives.

To broaden their reach, they also contributed articles to respected platforms such as La Directa and Racó Català, offering insights into the lived experiences of Roma people and inviting wider Catalan society into an honest dialogue.

Building Bridges with Institutions

FAGiC has also taken significant steps into the institutional sphere, becoming an active voice in decision-making spaces. They joined the Table of Entities of the Office for Non-Discrimination in Barcelona, where they contributed directly to shaping local anti-discrimination policies. They have also begun a promising collaboration with the Media Pluralism Monitor project at the Faculty of Communication and International Relations, Blanquerna. This partnership aims to explore how discrimination manifests in media narratives and to develop tools for accountability and change. 

Laying New Roots: Growing Alliances for the Future.

The project reached diverse audiences, including members of the Roma community, civil society organizations, policymakers, media professionals, and academics. It increased awareness of antigypsyism through media platforms, strengthened its institutional presence, and initiated collaborations with key stakeholders to challenge stereotypes. Key lessons learned emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation, media partnerships, and community involvement in combating antigypsyism.

Looking ahead, FAGiC is preparing to join the Anti-Rumour Network (Xarxa Antirumors) of the Barcelona City Council – a coalition dedicated to dismantling stereotypes and prejudice in the public sphere. They also had the honour of sharing their experiences and learnings at the European Experiences Panel during the Congress of Roma Women, engaging with activists and policymakers from across the continent. 

If you have any further questions about this application, drop us an email at info@ergonetwork.org.

Zuralipe, Roma Women Association of Dendropotamos

This is an article presenting the project prepared by the Roma Women Association of Dendropotamos, Greece given the subgrants under the ERGO sub-granting scheme 2024, funded by the EU

Improving Healthcare Access for Roma Communities.

There has been an urgent need to focus on improving Roma access to healthcare and raising awareness of the environmental justice’s health impacts in Greece. The project ZURALIPE, conducted by our member Roma Women Association of Dendropotamos, included workshops for Roma communities and health professionals, preventive health checks for Roma women, and discussions on combating stereotypes. Through a series of workshops, awareness events, and strategic planning sessions, the project has helped address key health challenges faced by the Roma population.

Key Achievements and Advocacy for Better Healthcare

As part of the Zuralipe project, the organisation implemented two environmental health workshops aimed at educating Roma communities. Additionally, participation in an external meeting ensured that Roma health concerns were represented in broader public health discussions. To further increase awareness, three dedicated events were organised, focusing on environmental justice and its effects on health. 

The women who took part expressed the need for a paediatrician and gynaecologist within the community. They highlighted the difficulty of scheduling appointments for their children’s vaccinations and shared that they often prefer visiting private healthcare institutions, as they do not feel safe in public facilities and many more.

Collaboration and Support for Roma Women’s Health

Collaboration was an important aspect of the project, with planning sessions helping to refine strategies and strengthen partnerships for future health interventions. A significant aspect of the initiative was supporting Roma women in accessing preventive health screenings, with women receiving assistance in scheduling and completing necessary medical check-ups. 

The Roma Women Association of Dendropotamos successfully engaged key policymakers and healthcare authorities throughout the project. Discussions were held with the Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, the Deputy Commander of the 3rd Directorate of the Ministry of Health, and the heads of health centres in Evosmos, Katerini, Ampelokipoi, and General Hospital G. Gennimatas. These meetings were crucial in advocating for better healthcare access and addressing the specific needs of Roma communities.

Memorandum of Cooperation and Future Plans

A key achievement of the Zuralipe project was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the 3rd Health Directorate of Macedonia, establishing a foundation for continued collaboration on Roma health initiatives. In addition, a joint action plan was developed to raise awareness among health professionals, working to combat stereotypes and improve the treatment of Roma patients. Another important milestone was the meeting with Ministry of Health officials to advocate for the appointment of Roma health mediators in health centres, ensuring better communication and accessibility for Roma patients.

The Roma Women Association of Dendropotamos ensured that they will continue building on the results of the Zuralipe project. They witnessed that Roma women from the region are now united, and they have built trust in the initiative. The organisation will also continue advocating for the placement of Roma health mediators in health centres, working towards better healthcare access and cultural understanding. 

If you have any further questions about this application, drop us an email at info@ergonetwork.org.

Building Bridges: A milestone for social work in Romania 

This is an article presenting the project prepared by the Policy Center for Roma and Minorities, Romania, given the subgrants under the ERGO sub-granting scheme 2024, funded by the EU

A bold step towards systemic change 

In a significant development for Romania’s social sector, our member organisation, Policy Center for Roma and Minorities, has created an association that unites local social work departments under a single umbrella. The Association of the Public Services for Social Work (Asociația Serviciilor Publice de Asistență Socială) is the first of its kind, offering a platform for municipalities to collaborate, advocate for policy changes, and share expertise to improve social services for marginalised communities, particularly Roma people. 

The process of forming the association was not straightforward. Local social work departments from Tulcea, Râmnicu Sărat, and Piatra Neamț municipalities had to navigate bureaucratic hurdles, particularly securing approval from local councils during elections. Despite these challenges, the association was legally established in August 2024 to enhance social service coordination at the national level. 

Creating a platform for action 

Following its establishment, the association quickly set up its website, a vital tool for knowledge-sharing and communication. Initially, debates arose regarding its content: some stakeholders pushed for a repository of legal and administrative documents, while others advocated for a more advocacy-focused structure. The final website balances both perspectives, offering sections on legislation, advocacy, open calls for proposals, and a dedicated members’ area. 

The association’s launch event, held on 22–23 October 2024, was a major success. It brought together 60 participants, including social workers from across Romania and key figures such as Daniela Barbu, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, and Bogdan Simion, President of the Social and Economic Council of Romania. These discussions set the stage for future cooperation, with ministry officials offering guidance on navigating legislative barriers. 

Strengthening institutional ties 

Engaging with government institutions has been crucial to the association’s mission. Meetings with the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity and the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration have opened new communication channels. In some cases, these discussions, lasting over two hours, have focused on clarifying intervention methods, harmonising legislation, and establishing direct contact points between the association and policymakers. 

However, not all efforts bore fruit. Attempts to meet with the Ministry of EU Funds were unsuccessful due to scheduling conflicts and difficulties securing a point of contact. This highlights the ongoing challenges in bridging local and national levels of governance. 

Training the next generation of advocates 

Beyond policy engagement, the association has prioritised capacity-building. Two online training sessions were organised, reaching 20 NGO representatives. The first focused on project writing, equipping NGOs with the skills to secure funding for impactful initiatives. The second addressed collaboration with local and central authorities, a crucial aspect of ensuring Roma communities receive the support they need. 

Participants found the sessions invaluable, particularly as many were new to grant writing and institutional engagement. Future training sessions will expand on these themes, responding to the evolving needs of grassroots organisations. 

A model for other countries? 

While still in its early stages, this initiative holds immense potential to inspire similar efforts across Europe. Many local administrations struggle with isolated decision-making and lack formal coordination structures. This association presents a replicable model where social work departments collaborate, rather than compete, to tackle systemic challenges. 

The association aims to grow its membership beyond the initial three municipalities. Efforts are already underway to encourage more social work departments to join, despite the lengthy process of securing local council approval. Additionally, plans are in place to host a national consultation on case management procedures in 2025, bringing together multiple ministries and institutions. 

Ensuring sustainability 

The success of this association hinges on continued engagement with national authorities and expanding its membership base. While initial support from the ROMACT programme and ERGO Network has been instrumental, long-term sustainability will require strong institutional buy-in. 

One promising direction is closer cooperation between social work departments and Roma NGOs, particularly in data collection and joint funding applications. Strengthening these relationships will ensure that Roma communities—among the most affected by social policies—are not just beneficiaries but active participants in shaping solutions. 

This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when institutions work together with a shared vision. We hope this model will thrive in Romania and serve as a blueprint for social work reform across Europe. 

If you have any further questions about this application, drop us an email at info@ergonetwork.org.