Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma

01/07/2026

🌍 When two Erasmus+ projects meet in one place, they create new ideas, new partnerships and new inspiration.

During the Erasmus+ training course *“Working with Learners from Disadvantaged Backgrounds”* in Tenerife, Spain, we had the opportunity to present the international Erasmus+ project coordinated by ROMAG:

📚 *Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma*

Project No. 2025-1-RS01-KA210-ADU-000356338

Participants from different European countries were introduced to the project's objectives, international partnership and planned activities implemented together with organisations from Türkiye, Italy and Portugal, with a particular focus on improving educational opportunities for adult members of the Roma community.

The presentation provided an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences with educators from across Europe, discuss challenges in working with adults from disadvantaged backgrounds and share examples of inclusive educational practices.

We are especially proud to have promoted a project coordinated by ROMAG to an international audience, contributing to its visibility while strengthening dialogue and cooperation among organisations committed to inclusive adult education.

🇪🇺 The project *Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma* is implemented under the auspices of the Tempus Foundation in the Republic of Serbia within the Erasmus+ Programme.

Fondacija Tempus
Erasmus+

25/06/2026

24/06/2026

Strengthening Stakeholder Support for the Erasmus+ Project “Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma”

🇹🇷 Strengthening Stakeholder Support for the Erasmus+ Project “Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma”

As part of the implementation of the Erasmus+ project “Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma” (Project No. 2025-1-RS01-KA210-ADU-000356338), representatives of our Turkish partner organisation met with the Deputy Governor of Eskişehir, Dr. Hasan Çiçek, to present the project and discuss opportunities for institutional cooperation and stakeholder engagement.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Ebubekir Uzgur, Director of Social Research Projects, Mr. Mehmet Bakırcı, President of the Eskişehir Roma Association, and Ms. Hatice Dost, Deputy Provincial Director of Family and Social Services.

During the presentation, Project Coordinator Özlem Şahan Çolpan introduced the project's objectives, including improving access to education for adult Roma, strengthening social and digital skills, and transforming research findings into sustainable policy recommendations that can support more inclusive adult education systems.

Particular attention was given to the importance of cooperation between public institutions, civil society organisations, and Roma community representatives. Such cooperation is essential for ensuring effective implementation of project activities, successful outreach to the target group, and long-term sustainability of project results.

The project is implemented through a partnership of organisations from Serbia, Türkiye, Italy, and Portugal. Through research, stakeholder consultations, policy recommendations, and pilot activities, the partnership aims to identify the educational needs of adult Roma and contribute to more inclusive educational opportunities and stronger social participation.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss how local and regional institutions can support future project activities and contribute to the dissemination and practical application of project results.

We sincerely thank Deputy Governor Dr. Hasan Çiçek and all participating stakeholders for their interest, support, and commitment to promoting equal opportunities, social inclusion, and lifelong learning for Roma communities.

🇪🇺 The project is implemented under the auspices of the Tempus Foundation in the Republic of Serbia within the Erasmus+ programme component.



Fondacija Tempus Erasmus+

24/06/2026

🇹🇷 Listening to the Voices of Adult Roma Communities

As part of the Erasmus+ project “Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma” (Project No. 2025-1-RS01-KA210-ADU-000356338), representatives of our Turkish partner organisation visited the Eskişehir Roma Association to meet with members of the local Roma community and discuss their educational needs, challenges, and expectations.

The visit was organised within the project's research phase and was coordinated by Özlem Şahan Çolpan from the Eskişehir Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services. The activity aimed to strengthen cooperation with local stakeholders and facilitate access to members of the Roma community who are participating in the project's research activities.

Together with partner organisations from Serbia, Türkiye, Italy, and Portugal, the project is currently conducting surveys among adult Roma and relevant stakeholders. The research seeks to identify barriers to education, training opportunities, digital inclusion, and active participation in social life. A total of 100 adult Roma respondents will be surveyed in each partner country, providing a valuable evidence base for the next stages of the project.

Beyond data collection, the visit created an opportunity for dialogue, mutual learning, and trust-building with community representatives. Listening directly to the experiences, expectations, and aspirations of Roma citizens is essential for developing solutions that respond to real needs and contribute to meaningful change.

The findings collected throughout the research phase will be analysed and transformed into policy recommendations aimed at improving adult education opportunities and promoting the social inclusion of Roma communities across Europe.

Together, we are working towards a future where adult Roma have greater access to education, stronger opportunities for personal and professional development, and a more active role in society.

We thank the Eskişehir Roma Association and all participants for their openness, cooperation, and valuable contribution to the project.

🇪🇺 The project is implemented under the auspices of the Tempus Foundation in the Republic of Serbia within the Erasmus+ programme component.



Fondacija Tempus Erasmus+

24/06/2026

🇷🇴 Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma" Presented in Romania 🇪🇺

As part of the dissemination activities of the Erasmus+ project “Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma” (Project No. 2025-1-RS01-KA210-ADU-000356338), our project was presented at Liceul de Arte „Bălașa Doamna” in Târgoviște, Romania.

The dissemination activity was carried out by our project partner Özlem Şahan Çolpan from the Directorate of Family and Social Services in Eskişehir, Türkiye. As the Directorate, being a public institution, was unable to establish and manage dedicated project social media channels as initially envisaged in the project application, Ms. Çolpan was designated to support the visibility and dissemination of project activities and results through her professional Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The project was presented during training sessions on eTwinning and Erasmus+ project writing attended by teachers, educators, and other professionals interested in international cooperation and educational innovation.

Participants were introduced to the objectives and activities of the project, which is implemented by partner organisations from Serbia, Türkiye, Italy, and Portugal. The project focuses on identifying and understanding the educational needs of adult Roma and on developing recommendations that can contribute to more inclusive adult education policies and practices across Europe.

During the event, participants exchanged experiences and ideas related to project-based learning, international cooperation, social inclusion, and community engagement. Among the various initiatives presented, “Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma” attracted particularly strong interest and appreciation. Participants highlighted the relevance of addressing educational inequalities faced by adult Roma and recognised the importance of creating more opportunities for lifelong learning, social participation, and empowerment.

The activity also provided an opportunity to establish new contacts with educators and stakeholders, exchange good practices, and promote the values of inclusion, equality, and intercultural dialogue. It once again demonstrated that the challenges faced by vulnerable communities are shared across borders and that international cooperation is essential for developing effective and sustainable solutions.

We sincerely thank Özlem Şahan Çolpan for representing the project and contributing to its dissemination, visibility, and impact at the international level.

🇪🇺 The project is implemented under the auspices of the Tempus Foundation in the Republic of Serbia within the Erasmus+ programme component.



Fondacija Tempus

18/06/2026

We are pleased to share a second EPALE article published by our Italian project partner Stigmamente APS within the Erasmus+ project *Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma*.

In this article, Stigmamente explores the challenges faced by adults returning to education, focusing on stigma, stereotypes, social perceptions and the factors that can support successful learning pathways. Through a series of five infographics, the article highlights both the visible and hidden barriers that may affect participation in adult education, particularly for Roma adults and other vulnerable groups.

The article invites readers to reflect on how more inclusive, accessible and supportive learning environments can contribute to lifelong learning, social inclusion and personal development.

https://epale.ec.europa.eu/it/blog/stigma-verso-gli-adulti-che-tornano-formarsi-5-infografiche

Project code: 2025-1-RS01-KA210-ADU-000356338




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18/06/2026

We are pleased to share an EPALE article prepared by our Italian project partner Stigmamente APS within the Erasmus+ project Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma.

The article presents the development of a stakeholder questionnaire designed to explore social perceptions, adult education, employment opportunities and the inclusion of Roma adults. The questionnaire was created through a collaborative process involving all project partners and reflects diverse educational, social and institutional perspectives from across Europe.

Understanding social perceptions is an important step toward developing more effective educational pathways, stronger inclusion strategies and better support for adult Roma learners.

Project code: 2025-1-RS01-KA210-ADU-000356338

https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/node/415630



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Educazione degli adulti, occupazione e inclusione dei Rom: un’indagine sulle percezioni sociali collettive

18/06/2026

Talking about stigma, stereotypes and prejudice in adult education matters because it is not only about individuals. It also affects public policies, resource allocation, training quality, participation, and the social and economic development of communities.
When a group is seen as “less educable”, it may receive fewer investments, less trust and fewer opportunities. Prejudice lowers educational expectations, weakens personalisation and can generate shame, withdrawal, low participation and dropout. In this way, training quality may decline exactly where it is most needed.
This infographic also shows that investing in adult learning is worthwhile: it can improve income, productivity and human capital. Breaking the stigma cycle means recognising prior competences, creating psychologically safe environments, using inclusive language, offering flexible pathways and involving communities and stakeholders.
Talking about stigma does not divide people: it helps make education more equitable, effective and transformative.
Educational Perspectives – Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma
Erasmus+ KA210 Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma


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18/06/2026

Many adults would like to return to learning, but they do not always find an environment where they feel entitled to learn.
Stigma often starts with simple but powerful statements: “it is too late”, “they will not manage”, “they are lost with technology”, “they are not motivated”. These stereotypes can reduce confidence, participation and perseverance. In social psychology, this process can become a real barrier: people may internalise judgement and stop trying.
For Roma adults and other vulnerable groups, stigma may overlap with social exclusion, linguistic discrimination and mistrust of institutions. This is why adult education must be safe, respectful and non-judgemental.
The goal is not only to teach, but to help every adult feel capable, welcomed and entitled to learn.
Erasmus+ KA210 Educational Perspectives: Understanding the Needs of Adult Roma


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