Antigypsyism publications

Guidelines on Countering Antigypsyism

New ERGO Network Manual: Guidelines on Countering Antigypsyism

We are happy to present our latest ERGO Network Manual, also part of our Decade Against Antigypsyism Campaign – “Guidelines on Countering Antigypsyism”.

“Guidelines on Countering Antigypsyism” were written by Ana Rozanova and Martina Horvathova for ERGO Network with the idea of equipping non-governmental civil society organisations with practical knowledge and strategies to address one of the most persistent forms of discrimination in our society.

Download guidelines here

The Guidelines provide insights and practical strategies for CSOs and individuals committed to fighting against the deeply rooted prejudice and discrimination faced by Roma communities. Throughout them, we explored various dimensions of antigypsyism, both online and offline, and emphasised the significance of addressing
this issue.

By understanding the complexities of antigypsyism, both online and offline, we can devise effective strategies to challenge stereotypes, promote inclusivity, and advocate for the rights of Roma communities. Our collective efforts are necessary to dismantle systemic barriers and promote social justice.

Let us remember that the fight against antigypsyism is not isolated to a single organisation or individual. It is a collective responsibility that requires ongoing commitment, resilience, and solidarity. By working together, we can challenge prejudices, dismantle stereotypes, and build a society that embraces diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunities.

Let these guidelines for countering antigypsyism serve as a call to action for us to take measurable, practical steps in this work.

Download guidelines here

For more information about ERGO Network’s Decade against Antigypsyism Campaign, please contact Communication and Campaign Officer Ana Rozanova.

REPORT: PECAO Synthesis Report on Antigypsyist Online Hate Speech

REPORT: PECAO Synthesis Report on Antigypsyist Online Hate Speech

Today we are happy to present you with the most recent work – PECAO Synthesis Report on Antigypsyist Online Hate Speech.

The Peer Education to Counter Antigypsyist Hate Speech Online project focuses to address and counter antigypsyist hate speech online by working with young people, using a combination of peer education and monitoring in order to obtain two-fold results: the peer education methodology serves the purpose to achieve a direct change in attitudes and actions of a high number of young people, and the monitoring to contribute to better understanding and a more systemic change of policies through advocacy based on the results.

ERGO network acknowledges the contribution of all peer educators engaged in the project and would like to thank all of them!

This report was elaborated by Ileana Rotaru, assoc. prof. PhD habil. of West University of Timisoara, research expert of Nevo Parudimos Association and responsible for the research instruments and methodology elaborated and applied for the purpose of the PECAO project.

The report represents a deliverable of the PECAO project in relation to the project’s overall objectives:

• To reach out to at least 2000 young people in Spain, Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Italy, France, North Macedonia and Albania through peer education activities in universities or youth clubs to raise their awareness of the adverse impact of hate speech on Roma and to
empower them to recognise and report hate speech online.

• To empower 50 young Roma peer educators in 10 countries to monitor hate speech in online media and report cases of hate speech to IT companies, national equality bodies and relevant state institutions to reinforce implementation of anti-discrimination legislation. Their work will lead to national datasets of at least 150 cases, as well as at least 50 reported cases.

• To advocate towards national and EU decision-makers for anti-discrimination policies that take into account the online sphere as well as
antigypsyism as a bias motivation for hate speech and hate crime.

• To use the experiences of peer educators and results of the monitoring to raise awareness of other stakeholders (wider civil society, educational practitioners, young people) of antigypsyist hate speech in online media and the urgency to counteract.

When it comes to the Roma people: The people most suffering under hate speech are obviously those targeted – Roma, citizens of Europe. The project should have a positive long-term impact on them if hate speech content is reduced in online media as a result of this project. Less hate speech online means less incitement to violence and less stereotyping by the majority of society, leading to a general decrease in antigypsyism.

Read the full report HERE.

This publication was funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (REC 2014-2020) and Google.Org Impact Challenge on Safety. The European Commission’s and Google.Org’s support for the production does not constitute and endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views of the authors only, and the European Commission and Google.Org cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained there.

Sustainable Development Goals for Roma Inclusion

Have you ever heard of the Sustainable Development Goals? Don’t know what this has to do with Roma? Then check out our report ‘Roma Included: In the Sustainable Development Goals that ERGO Network published in 2019.

Just want to have a glimpse on what is inside? Then check out our short video summarising the report.

The objective of the report is to trigger debate among Roma activists on how to engage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More than three years after the proclamation of the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs can provide opportunities for advancing the inclusion of Roma and for countering antigypsyism. Almost all of the 17 global goals are closely connected to the needs of Roma comunities – from accessing clean drinking water and affordable energy to quality education and employment, from reducing inequalities to peace, justice and strong institutions.