General – ERGO Network

27th of January 2025 – Holocaust Remembrance Day

Why Remembrance Matters?

On the 27^th of January, the world pauses to remember one of the darkest chapters in human history – the Holocaust. This date marks the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps, thus revealing the horrors of the Nazi genocide that took the lives of hundreds of people, including Roma.

Although the Nazis and their collaborators murdered more than a quarter of Europe’s Roma, little attention has been paid to the atrocities committed during this period towards the Roma community. There is greater awareness of the Roma Genocide, but the struggle for recognition continues. Thus, for us, remembrance is not only about looking back and not forgetting about the painful past, but it is also a call to action.

The Holocaust is not only an act committed by the Nazis because of the racial ideology of having one race – the Aryan race – but it is a crime against humanity that we all should make sure will never be repeated in human history. As the survivors of this genocide pass on, the responsibility to remember and educate falls on us. But are we doing enough?

With the rise of antigypsyism, there is a high risk of hate crimes, which often fuels dangerous narratives and acts against the Roma – who continue to be discriminated against, negatively framed and treated, excluded and denied access to rights, resources, and services. These are all part of a dehumanising process that, if left unaddressed, can escalate to extreme acts.

Then, why does remembrance matter today? Besides just honouring and acknowledging the past, Holocaust remembrance matters to prevent future atrocities – especially as we live in a world where warning signs of genocide, discrimination, and dehumanisation are present in many countries.

Today, we remember to honour the survivors and victims and to ensure that their stories are never forgotten, to defend the truth in an era of rising misinformation, to fight against antigypsyism in all forms, and to educate and prepare future generations to prevent such actions.

This Holocaust Remembrance Day, let’s not just light candles and reflect. Let’s act by advocating for including the Roma Genocide in school curricula, by challenging hate narratives, by fighting against antigypsyism, and by protecting the rights and dignity of the Roma who have been pushed for centuries to the margins. “Never Again” is not just a phrase but a commitment to fight for recognition, remembrance, reparation and reconciliation –today and every day.

Written by Stelina Dungaj

Small Grants for Big Change: ERGO Network Supports Member Research Projects

In 2024, ERGO Network supported three research projects as part of our Annual Work Programme, Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2024, funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Commission. These projects, implemented between May and November 2024, aimed to empower Roma civil society to address local challenges through evidence-based research.

Research Highlights

1. Integro Association, Bulgaria
Project Title: Child Poverty in the Roma Community—A Taboo Topic for Institutions and Society
This research explored the realities of child poverty in Roma communities by interviewing 10 families across five regions. Key areas examined include education, healthcare, and social inclusion. The findings aim to advocate for stronger implementation of the European Child Guarantee and better support for marginalised Roma families.

Target Audience: General public, Roma stakeholders, institutions, Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
Grant Amount: €4,000
Duration: 6 months

📄 Read the research summary with challenges and recommendations

2. Sastipen – Roma Center for Health Policies, Romania
Project Title: Assessing the Capacity of Roma Health Mediators in Romania to Recognize and Understand the Dynamics of Discrimination
This study highlighted the challenges Roma Health Mediators face, including institutional racism and lack of support. With over 65% of Roma beneficiaries reporting discrimination in healthcare, the research calls for urgent measures to empower mediators and tackle systemic barriers.

Target Audience: General public, Roma stakeholders, health institutions, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Work, Ministry of Youth, Family, and Equal Opportunities
Grant Amount: €4,000
Duration: 6 months

📄 Read the research summary with challenges and recommendations

3. Nevo Parudimos, Romania
Project Title: The Impact on Roma Inclusion of Applying the CLLD Principles in Romania
This project examined how principles of Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) enhance Roma inclusion. It found that CLLD’s participatory approach fosters tailored development and cohesion, recommending Roma-specific strategies and targeted policies for long-term impact.

Target Audience: Roma and pro-Roma CSOs, Ministry of Funds, national, regional, and local institutions
Grant Amount: €4,000
Duration: 6 months

📄 Read the research summary with challenges and recommendations

These small grants have enabled our members – Roma civil society organisations – to shine a light on critical issues affecting these communities. Furthermore, by turning research into advocacy, these projects may pave the way for greater equality, inclusion, and participation.

Welcome to our new team member Annamaria Psenkova

We welcome a new team member, Annamária Pšenková, who has joined as a Junior Communication Officer.

Within the ERGO Secretariat, Annamária has the following responsibilities:

Digital Communications and Content Management: Manage ERGO Network’s digital communications channels daily, developing and designing relevant and interesting content. Update and maintain ERGO Network’s websites and Support digital communications directly from events, e.g., through live streaming.
Campaigns, Advocacy, and Dissemination: Support the communications and campaigns manager in delivering on campaign and advocacy objectives. Monitor information relevant to ERGO Network’s priorities and network and ensure its rapid distribution.
Publications and Mailing: Manage ERGO Network’s quarterly newsletter. Ensure that ERGO Network’s mailing lists are maintained and updated in coordination with colleagues.
Event and Media Support: Support the administrative team of ERGO Network in event preparation at peak times. Support the communications and campaigns manager in drafting press releases and other relevant national and international media materials.

Read more about Annamária in her own words:

Hi, I’m Annamária Pšenková, and I am happy to rejoin the ERGO Network, this time as a Junior Communication Officer. My role will involve managing ERGO Network’s digital communication channels and newsletter, maintaining the website, supporting campaigns, advocacy efforts, and many more.

I am originally from Slovakia but am currently based in the Netherlands. My academic journey began at BISLA College, where I studied Political Science. After completing my studies, I moved to Brussels for an internship with the ERGO Network, which strengthened my passion for advocating for marginalised communities and media and communication.

Before returning to ERGO, I worked as a Rights Expert with the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent, focusing on critical social justice issues affecting the Roma community worldwide. After a year-long break, I’m thrilled to be back with ERGO Network.

I look forward to contributing to ERGO’s mission and communicating the values, ideas, and projects of the ERGO Network Secretariat.

Feel free to reach out to me a.psenkova@ergonetwork.org

Project Coordinator (consultancy contract)

Position: Project Coordinator Jekhipe (consultancy contract)

ERGO Network is hiring a Project Coordinator to coordinate the JEKHIPE project and support other ERGO Network activities

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 level and to address existing shortcomings of policies targeted at Roma.

Jekhipe Project

Under the Jekhipe project (April 2024-March 2026), ERGO Network together with its partners from Czechia, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain and Sweden addresses some of the key structural and institutional obstacles in achieving justice and equality for Roma in practice.

JEKHIPE focuses on multiple and complementing levels of policy making, including research and evidence-building, monitoring and advocacy, networking and alliances building, awareness raising and capacity building and empowerment to address what we view as core obstacles and concerns hindering Roma equality. It attempts to engage with national and European institutions and relevant stakeholders, including academia, politicians, justice mechanisms, state authorities, civil society and Roma communities themselves and challenge the status quo on approaching Roma issues, particularly antigypsyism and to propose mechanisms that can create increased accountability by national governments.

Task description

We are looking for a consultant who can support the coordination of the project from February 2025 until March 2026, and at the same time also support other activities of ERGO Network.

Project management Jekhipe:

To ensure that project tasks are implemented timely and correctly by all partners
To ensure regular open coordination between all consortium partners
To develop and maintain strong relationships with project partners and stakeholders
To provide regular project updates to senior management and project partners
To ensure financial management of the project, including budget tracking and reporting together with the Senior Programme Manager of ERGO Network.
To ensure timely and correct reporting of all partners.
To regularly monitor progress and conduct internal interim evaluations.
To prepare online, hybrid and on-site events and meetings (venues, catering, billing, planning, contact with suppliers).

Contribute to the implementation of activities under the project and beyond:

To develop policy recommendations for EU and national policy makers in areas focusing on but not limited to: transitional justice, environmental racism and the fight against antigypsyism and racism more broadly.
To organise and or contribute to training events on capacity building of CSOs on issues of non-discrimination, racism and antigypsyism.
To represent ERGO in public events and in multi-stakeholders platforms; prepare public presentation, defend ERGO’s positions.

Requirements

Experience:

University degree – preferably in a relevant field such as public social sciences or law.
At least 3 years working on Roma policy issues at national or European level, particularly on human rights aspects, including non-discrimination.
Previous specific policy experience targeting racism and discrimination is desirable.
At least three years of demonstrated professional experience in project management (EU project management is desirable).

Skills:

Excellent project management skills, including planning, budgeting, risk management and stakeholder management (understanding of EU project rules is an added value).
Good knowledge of discrimination or antigypsyism issues related to Roma in Europe.
Good understanding of the functioning of EU institutions.
Legal background and knowledge of transitional justice processes are an added value.
Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, proficiency in Romanes and other European languages is an advantage.
Strong experience with Microsoft Office (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with project partners and stakeholders;
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently and responsibly in an international team
Ability to organise work assignments, set priorities and meet deadlines
Creative, forward thinking and proactive attitude
Gender awareness
Genuine interest in the values and mission of the ERGO Network

Conditions

The job can be carried out in the ERGO office in Brussels or remotely.
The successful candidate will start as soon as possible on a 13-month consultancy contract. The position requires the consultant to be available full-time (37,5 hours per week).

Application procedure

Interested and qualified candidates should send their motivation letter, together with a CV and an offer for a monthly fee, to c.sudbrock@ergonetwork.org by 31 January 2025, 23:59 CET, indicating in the subject of the email “Application Project Coordinator”. This email address can also be used for further information and questions.

EQUIP Re-granting to ERGO Network members 2025

Roma equality, inclusion and participation (EQUIP) 2025: Re-granting to ERGO Network members

This year, the ERGO Network can grant its members in three categories. These grants are part of the ERGO Network’s financial support to third parties through its Annual Work Programme ‘Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2025’, funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Commission.

RESEARCH:

Call for applications for small-scale research projects: To support local and national Roma civil society in gathering evidence of challenges Roma faces locally through research activities.

Three projects with budgets up to 4,000 €

NATIONAL COALITIONS:

To support local and national Roma civil society in gathering evidence of challenges Roma face locally through research activities and strengthening the networks.

Six projects with budgets up to 5,000€

CAPACITY-BUILDING, CAMPAIGNING, ADVOCACY (Large grants):

Call for applications for capacity-building, campaigning, and advocacy projects.

Nine projects with budgets up to 10,000€

Eligibility criteria:

– Be a member (full or associate) of the ERGO Network
–Not be a partner in the EU Values project “Roma CSOs promoting EU Values” (ROVA)
– Be established as a Member State of the European Union
– Be a legal entity, a non-profit organisation
– Respect EU values as laid down in Art.2 of the Treaty on European Union and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
– Not be a sub-contractor of ERGO Network
– Adhere to ERGO Network’s safeguarding policy, have their safeguarding policy or agree to start developing a safeguarding policy.

All ERGO Network full member and associate member organisations can apply to more than one of the calls.

The deadline for applications is 15 March at 23:59 CET.

The selection will be made by a team of ERGO Network Secretariat, board members, and one external evaluator.

The implementation period is foreseen for May to November 2025.

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