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Forced Evictions: SOS Zaharna Fabrika in Sofia

Forced Evictions: SOS Zaharna Fabrika in Sofia

Zaharna Fabrika, or the Sugar Factory, is a district in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia, which has operated as an informal Roma settlement for over 80 years. Yet on 15 April 2025, the municipality proceeded at the demolition of multiple dwellings in the community, despite a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, leaving over 200 Roma individuals homeless.

This recent forced eviction of Roma families from their homes reveals a deeper systemic issue – the persistent housing insecurity faced by many Roma communities in Bulgaria, against the backdrop of historical and ongoing deep-seated antigypsyism. For centuries, Roma communities have been caught in a vicious cycle of exclusion, where systemic barriers to adequate housing are both a symptom and a cause of their marginalisation.

Zaharna Fabrika’s plight reflects a broader pattern across the country, where over 70% of Roma neighbourhoods lack formal land ownership status, detailed spatial planning, or adequate infrastructure. This crisis is rooted in historical neglect, discriminatory policies, and legal obstacles that continue to undermine Roma housing rights.

Today, the families evicted from Zaharna Fabrika are sleeping in tents near the ruins of their former homes, exposed to harsh weather and without access to basic sanitation or healthcare. This brutal displacement violates their fundamental rights and underscores a broader failure to address Roma housing insecurity. While some temporary support has come from grassroots organisations, the local and national governments have largely abandoned these families.

Despite their vulnerable situation, these families face mounting institutional hostility. Chemical toilets that had been provided were removed without explanation, and attempts by residents to engage with local authorities have been met with legal threats. The response from political leaders remains muted, reflecting entrenched prejudice and a political environment that often prioritises economic interests over human rights.

In response, organisations like our members, Integro Association, and partners from ATD Fourth World, Trust for Social Achievement, and Roma for Democracy have stepped up, providing immediate relief while advocating for systemic change. However, these efforts are hindered by a lack of political will and systemic racism.

Read here the statement by Integro Association on the situation of the Roma families evicted from Zaharna Fabrika, and here is the petition to policy-makers that they initiated.

As the families of Zaharna Fabrika struggle for survival, their situation should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers across Europe. True housing security for Roma requires not just emergency aid, but a deep, systemic overhaul to address decades of neglect and exclusion.

It is time for the EU and national governments to commit to a fair and inclusive housing strategy – one that prioritizes human dignity over bureaucratic barriers. Only then can we hope to break the cycle of exclusion and build a future where every Roma family has a secure place to call home.

ERGO Network urges European and national policymakers to act now – to invest in inclusive, affordable housing, to staunchly commit to combatting antigypsyism in housing and across the board, and to support the grassroots movements working tirelessly for Roma rights.

Without this commitment, crises like the one Zaharna Fabrika will only proliferate, further entrenching inequalities and exclusion for Europe’s Roma.

For more information about the ongoing efforts on the ground in Bulgaria, please contact Liliya Makaveeva (l.makaveeva@gmail.com), Director, Integro Association.

For more information about ERGO Network’s work on Roma access to quality and affordable housing, please contact Amana Ferro (a.ferro@ergonetwork.org), Senior Policy Adviser.

For more information on Roma access to quality and affordable housing, please read our full research report here.

European Mental Health Week: Shining a Light on Roma Mental Health

European Mental Health Week: Shining a Light on Roma Mental Health

At the initiative of our partners at Mental Health Europe, Europe observes Mental Health Week 2025 from 19 to 25 May, taking place this year under the theme “Care for mental health, invest in social rights”. This perspective is particularly pertinent for Europe’s Roma, who face significant systemic barriers that hinder their access to mental health care and support, including antigypsyism.

The Roma are disproportionately affected by poor mental health outcomes, including higher rates of suicide and suffering from stress, depression, or anxiety, given an ongoing state of poverty, deprivation, and marginalisation. Factors such as poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, as well as ongoing discrimination, take a significant toll on Roma mental health, which also has a negative impact on children.

In Slovakia, research from 2020 indicates that many excluded Roma households experienced long-term stress due to debt (37.6%), serious illness (24.8%), cold houses (23.9%), hunger (13.5%), discrimination (12.9%), and forced evictions (10.1%), which severely impacted mental as well as physical health. 17.6% of Roma women and 10% of Roma men suffer from depression, compared to 7.7% of non-Roma women and 5% of non-Roma men.

Despite this, many cannot access necessary care due to factors such as:

Social Determinants: Poverty, inadequate housing, and unemployment exacerbate mental health issues while they create additional barriers to accessing support.
Limited Availability of Services: Healthcare facilities are often scarce in rural and remote Roma communities.
High Costs: The expense of consultations and treatments acts as a significant deterrent.
Antigypsyism and Stigma: Discrimination within healthcare settings leads to a lack of trust in the system.

These barriers are part and parcel of a general context of historical neglect in what concerns Roma health needs – to find out more, read ERGO Network’s research report on Roma access to healthcare and long-term care (2022).

The European Commission’s 2023 Communication on mental health acknowledges the heightened risks Roma face due to socio-economic exclusion and discrimination. While this recognition is a step forward, the Communication falls short in putting forward the necessary measures to effectively tackle the situation.

Such measures could include, among others:

Anti-Bias Training for Mental Health Professionals: To combat discrimination within healthcare settings.
Promotion of Roma Health Mediators: These community-based workers play a crucial role in bridging gaps between Roma individuals and healthcare services.
Ethnically Disaggregated Data Collection: To better understand and address the mental health needs of Roma populations.

ERGO Network calls for these elements to be incorporated into EU mental health strategies, to ensure that Roma voices are heard and their needs addressed, as detailed in our full analysis of the Communication.

On the occasion of the European Mental Health Week, ERGO Network wants to shine a light on the barriers and potential solutions highlighted above, to create an equitable mental health framework for Roma communities across Europe.

Key elements of such a framework would need to include universal health insurance coverage, to ensure that all Roma individuals have access to affordable care; developing services within Roma communities, to reduce barriers to access; implementing policies to eliminate bias, antigypsyism, and segregation in healthcare settings, to restore trust; and involving the Roma in the design, implementation, and monitoring of mental health policies.

By addressing these areas, Europe can move towards a mental health system that truly serves all its citizens, including the Roma.

As we reflect on the theme of European Mental Health Week 2025, it is imperative to recognise that mental health is deeply intertwined with social rights. For the Roma community, achieving mental well-being requires systemic change that addresses the root causes of inequality and exclusion. Only through inclusive policies and practices can we ensure that mental health care is accessible and effective for all.

In the words of Mustafa Jakupov of the ERGO Network Board, “Mental health is a social justice issue. Roma communities deserve better – mental health must be a right, not a privilege”.

=> Watch his full video message here.

ERGO Network remains committed to advocating for the rights of Roma and will continue to work towards a Europe where good mental health is a shared priority for all, not a privilege for the few.

For more information about ERGO Network’s work on Roma access to quality, inclusive, and affordable healthcare and long-term care, including mental health care and support, contact Senior Policy Adviser Amana Ferro at a.ferro@ergonetwork.org.

Youth Ambassadors of the Decade against Antigypsyism – Study Session

Youth Ambassadors of the Decade against Antigypsyism – Study Session

Youth Ambassadors of the Decade against Antigypsyism –
From passion to action: A new generation of Roma activists

When: 21 – 28 September 2025 (including travel days)

Where: European Youth Centre Budapest, Hungary

Application deadline – 6 June, 2025, 23:59 CET

In case you will be selected, your participation will be notified by the end of June at the latest, and you will need to confirm your participation.

We invite young Roma and non-Roma to apply for our six day youth meeting, a study session to empower youth as ambassadors for the “Decade to counter Antigypsyism”. We welcome young people who already have some little experience and who are able and feel ready to implement their own small projects to counter antigypsyism after they are back home.

We welcome applications from all candidates irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, religious belief, or sexual orientation. We aim to foster an inclusive and collaborative environment that encourages mutual understanding, dialogue, and potential cooperation between Roma and non-Roma participants.

Objectives:

To discuss the concept of antigypsyism and connect it with broader human rights concepts, such as racism, colonialism and intersectionality.
To support young people in recognising the manifestations and consequences of antigypsyism.
To share successful approaches to challenging antigypsyism by making use of the CM Recommendation on Roma Youth Participation, the ECRI standards on combating antigypsyism and the Committee of Ministers’ recommendation on Roma women.
To provide young people with specific tools and methods to challenge antigypsyism on different levels.
To give young Roma and their non-Roma allies the opportunity to join support networks of activists.

Profile of the participant:

to be committed to act as Ambassadors of the Decade Against Antigypsyism after the study session
to be committed to developing initiatives/actions
motivated to develop their competences and to share their experiences with other participants;
aged 18 – 30 (exceptions are possible);
committed to attend for the full duration of the course;
able to work in English;
resident in a member state of the European Cultural Convention of the Council of Europe

Location:

The study session will take place in the European Youth Centre in Budapest (Hungary) from 21 – 28 September 2025 (travel days are 21st and 28th September). The Youth Centre is run by the Council of Europe and frequently hosts youth programmes. It is uniquely equipped to make our stay as pleasant and enjoyable as possible.

Logistics

All travel and programme costs are covered by the Council of Europe via reimbursement of real costs. We will provide all participants with a detailed information sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE EVENT & DECADE AGAINST ANTIGYPSYISM

In the last years, ERGO Network, ternYpe – International Roma Youth Network and other partners of the “Alliance against Antigypsyism” have achieved great progress in the recognition of antigypsyism on the European political level. The European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO) with its member organisations in Central Europe and the Western Balkans and the Alliance want to address the current situation of many Roma in Europe with the large-scale campaign “Decade to Counter Antigypsyism” which started in 2022 targeting the general public, to raise awareness for antigypsyism and contribute to changing attitudes towards Roma in the majority society.

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us: ergoternype@gmail.com

Please take note that by submitting this application, you agree with the Code of Conduct and our detailed safeguarding policy.

APPLY NOW!

Advocacy for reducing the discrimination against Roma population from Romania in accessing the health services

Advocacy for reducing discrimination against the Roma population from Romania in accessing the health services

This is an article presenting the project prepared by Sastipen – Roma Center for Health Policies, Hungary, given the subgrants under the ERGO sub-granting scheme 2024, funded by the EU

Roma people across Romania still face unequal treatment in healthcare settings, despite legislation protecting against discrimination. Through this project, Sastipen aimed to strengthen its long-standing advocacy work, to ensure that medical professionals and policymakers take anti-discrimination and antigypsyism laws seriously and apply them in practice, not just on paper.

Building Awareness Among Health Workers

A key part of the project involved training health professionals on the front lines of patient care. Two online seminars brought together 54 participants, including community nurses, health mediators, and medical assistants. These sessions focused on human rights, non-discrimination, and the harmful impact of bias in medical settings. Guest speakers, including experts from ERGO Network and the National Agency for Roma, helped to frame the issue and encouraged open discussion that made the meeting very impactful.

The second phase of the project involved direct engagement with national and local health authorities. In partnership with the National Institute of Public Health, Sastipen hosted a two-day training with 32 officials from the Ministry of Health and County Public Health Directorates. Participants reviewed case studies and collaborated to draft a working procedure aimed at preventing discrimination within public health units.

This procedure was further refined during a follow-up online workshop with 28 key stakeholders, including ministry representatives, hospital managers, and family doctors. By the end of the session, the document was finalised and submitted to the Ministry of Health.

Between July and October 2024, the team launched an advocacy campaign aimed at incorporating the non-discrimination procedure into national practice. High-level meetings with the Minister of Health and key officials led to a huge and successful breakthrough: the Ministry formally recognised Sastipen as a partner in managing the national health mediation programme, a first in Romania!

Sastipen also built a coalition with Roma and pro-Roma organisations across the country. A formal partnership was signed with the Roma Party ProEuropa to coordinate future action and monitor cases of discrimination.

Looking Ahead

By the end of the project, a working anti-discrimination procedure was developed, partnerships were created, and a new chapter of cooperation with health authorities had begun. The hope is that this model of collaboration, driven by grassroots expertise and formal recognition, can be replicated in other areas of Roma inclusion policy.

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

National Coalition

Strengthening Roma Civic Participation in Developing of Roma Social Policies

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

On 15 November 2024, representatives from civil society organisations and government officials from across Europe gathered in Budapest for a meeting focused on strengthening national Roma strategies. Organised by Autonomia and supported by ERGO and partner CSOs, the event aimed to promote practical collaboration between governments and grassroots actors working on Roma inclusion.

During the event, actionable and transparent strategies to address long-standing challenges were created. But just as importantly, it provided a much-needed space to listen, learn, and understand one another’s perspectives more deeply.

Working Together

Preparation began in May 2024. Each country team was composed of both CSO and government representatives. Twelve participants attended, with all invited countries represented except the Czech Republic. The meeting included guest speakers such as the representative of the Roma unit from DG JUST and Gabriela Hrabanová, executive director of ERGO Network. The representative of the Roma unit delivered the feedback, offering insights into the EU’s expectations for national Roma strategies and highlighting the importance of inclusive dialogue throughout the planning, implementation, and monitoring phases.

Country teams presented on three key topics:

Updates to national Roma strategies.
Consultation processes between governments and civil society.
The role of Roma NGOs in monitoring progress.

Participants discussed examples and explored the principles of effective civil society and government cooperation. These conversations helped to draft the declaration, which the participating CSOs endorsed. A professional video team was on-site, offering participants a chance to record short, self-promotional clips. Six participants took part, producing one-minute videos. The videos hold powerful and impressive messages that can now be used for outreach and awareness. All these initiatives serve as a promising starting point for future advocacy.

Looking Ahead

The event delivered several clear achievements. It provided a safe space for open discussion, allowing participants to engage meaningfully with one another. This multi-stakeholder approach, which brought together national representatives and civil society actors from multiple countries, created a valuable foundation for sustained exchange and mutual learning. A joint declaration was also drafted, laying a solid base for continued advocacy and collaboration.

ERGO now holds valuable materials from the event to support its future efforts, while Autonomia is expected to build on this momentum in its ongoing work with the Hungarian government. The event demonstrated that although collaboration between governments and civil society can be complex, it is both possible and essential, particularly when it comes to ensuring that national Roma strategies are not merely theoretical documents but are actively implemented and grounded in lived realities.

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