Roma can power Europe’s future. Nearly 2 million people leave Europe’s labour market each year—the equivalent of losing Paris—while businesses can’t find workers. With training, young Roma could fill many of those jobs, adding billions to Europe’s GDP. #romaforeurope
Electricity cut off before elections. Welfare withheld. Schools restricted. These are not isolated injustices but tools of control. What are often called “Roma problems”, said @zjovanovic.bsky.social at WFD2024, are systemic failures that strike at the heart of democracy. #romaforeurope
Mensur Haliti argues that the assassination of Charlie Kirk in the US and the suppression of Roma in Europe reveal the same mechanism: when hate is tolerated as politics, violence moves from the margins to the centre. Read his article—link in bio. #romaforeurope
After years with the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Erdzan Shakirovski has launched his own venture. Starting with one delivery van in Skopje’s Shuto Orizari market, he aims to expand, hire Roma drivers and build a regional logistics company. #romaforeurope
“You need to enable people to get their own jobs, to pay their bills, build their houses, pay their rent, take their kids to school.” – Meet Petrica Dulgheru, Executive Director of the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative. #romaforeurope
Slađana Marinković shows how successful entrepreneurship can help lift others. An economist by training, she runs her own cleaning business and, through the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, works to empower other Roma women in Serbia. #romaforeurope
Making countries future-proof, writes Neda Korunovska, means moving beyond outdated education models and shifting recruitment from degrees to skills. With 56% of Roma youth not in education or employment, closing the gap could add €2 trillion to Europe’s economy. More at link in bio. #romaforeurope
On #DemocracyDay, we highlight our network member Roma for Democracy. RFD works to strengthen Roma political participation, protect elections, train future leaders, and challenge harmful narratives. It’s about more than representation—it’s about making Europe’s values work for all. #romaforeurope
Rockets damaged Andriy Poliakov’s home in Andriivka, Ukraine, but the disabled father of two stayed, caring for family while surviving without gas or heating. His experience highlights that Roma households in Ukraine are far less likely to receive compensation for war damage. #romaforeurope
Von der Leyen’s #SOTEU called it a social crisis. For Roma, this is daily life.
📊 Roma economic empowerment could add €10B to EU GDP annually – Europe cannot afford to waste this potential.
Full reaction on our website.
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At WFD2024, @zjovanovic.bsky.social stressed that democracy fails when solutions for Roma are treated as separate. What works for Roma will benefit everyone, building a stronger, more accountable democracy in Europe. #romaforeurope
On International Literacy Day, we’re reminded that education is empowerment. Yet too many Roma are denied the chance to learn—to shape the future. When that happens, Europe loses talent, growth and cohesion. Investing in Roma education is investing in Europe’s future. #literacyday #romaforeurope
Roma youth could help solve Slovakia’s labour shortages—but they’re shut out while the country searches for workers abroad. Slovakia’s low unemployment rate hides a paradox: shortages alongside long-term joblessness. Find out more—see links in bio. #romaforeurope
1 in 5 Europeans could retire in poverty without reform. Europe is ageing fast & fewer workers paying in leaves pensions under strain. But Roma youth can help keep pensions strong—if given the chance. Supporting them means investing in security for all. Read more—links in bio. #romaforeurope
Željko Ristić (33) is the third generation in his family to sell curtains in Niš, Serbia. With support from the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, he’s boosting online sales and investing in new machinery—working to take the family business international. #romaforeurope
Selena Horváthová (15) from Košice lives in Luník IX—one of Slovakia’s most marginalised areas. Through the Roma Pride Project, run by the Roma Education Fund and REDI, she found mentors who looked like her, believed in her, and helped her see that her future can look different. #romaforeurope
As tentative peace talks stall, Russia’s war on Ukraine shows no sign of ending—leaving Roma refugees like Nazrin Aliieva in exile. Fleeing to Romania with few belongings, she faced uncertainty. At a refugee centre run by the Roma Education Fund, she has found support and resilience. #romaforeurope
Roma entrepreneurs are powering Europe’s future. Asib Zekir of REDI North Macedonia explains why empowerment matters. 💬 What role does entrepreneurship play?
#romaentrepreneurs #economicempowerment #romarights #romaempowerment #romaforeurope
At 24, Tomáš Matta from Košice is preparing to finish university, work in public policy, and one day run for office.
Through the Roma Pride Youth Project by Roma Education Fund and REDI , he gained mentoring and leadership support.
📸 Akos Stiller
#romayouth #romaeducation #romaforeurope
For 20+ years, Enis Aziri has run Fantasy Furniture in Shuto Orizari, Skopje.
With @redi.ngo support, he’s now working toward Fantasy HOME—a full store for furniture and décor.
📸 Akos Stiller
#romaentrepreneurship #romaempowerment #inclusiveeconomy #supportlocal #redi #romabusiness #romaforeurope
Ciprian Necula, Chair of the Roma Education Fund, leads a team working to increase the resilience of Roma communities in a rapidly changing Europe through education.
Learn more about our network’s leadership: romaforeurope.org #romaforeurope
Jana Cervrenakova dreams of finishing school and building a career she can be proud of— achievements she hopes will inspire her siblings and her community. The Roma Pride Youth Project in Slovakia, run by the Roma Education Fund and REDI, supported her in working toward her goals. #romaforeurope
Months after the Zaharna Fabrika demolitions in Sofia, Bulgaria, families like Boyko Simov’s are still without stable housing. They’ve lost jobs, their children’s schooling has been disrupted and daily life has been reduced to uncertainty. Real solutions are urgently needed. #romaforeurope
When Izaura Dryma arrived in Bucharest after Russia’s invasion, she stepped forward to help others. Now she works at the Roma Education Fund, helping Ukrainian Roma families rebuild their lives. On World Humanitarian Day, we honour her and all who choose solidarity in times of crisis. #romaforeurope
Thousands of homes in eastern Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed—including those of Roma families. Our research shows just 4% of Roma households with war-related damage received compensation versus 61% nationally. Read more about our findings. Link in bio. #romaforeurope
Ibraim Ibraim has run a women’s boutique in Shuto Orizari, North Macedonia, for 20+ years. With support from REDI, he strengthened his business and now aims to enlarge it with an even wider selection—growing local opportunity and inspiring others to follow his path. #romaforeurope
University student Patrik Giňa was a mentor in the Roma Pride Youth Project in Slovakia run by the Roma Education Fund and REDI, helping other young Roma pursue their dreams. Empowering Roma youth brings real returns—for Roma communities and for Europe. More at the link in our bio. #romaforeurope
Eszter Sipos, our Network Development Officer, supports the Roma-led organisations in our network as we plan, act and learn together—so we can achieve more collectively than we could alone. Learn more about our team: romaforeurope.org #romaforeurope
Bojan Raimović’s grocery shop is a cornerstone in the town of Lebane—a place for fresh food and connection. With support from the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, he received guidance and digital tools to strengthen what he had built—for himself and for his community. #romaforeurope
