Phiren Amenca

08/04/2026

From 1990 to Today: A Generation, A Movement, A Legacy

On International Roma Day, we celebrate Roma culture and stand against antigypsyism, a structural form of racism still shaping lives across Europe.

The First International Romani Congress in 1971 laid the foundations of the international Roma movement, while the Fourth International Romani Congress in 1990 formally designated April 8 as International Roma Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of Roma people and advocate for Romani rights.

Since 1990, a whole generation of Roma youth has grown up. Over time, that generation has become leaders within their communities, shaping change across Europe.

For more than half of that time, since the early 2000s, Phiren Amenca has been championing Roma youth, supporting, connecting, and strengthening this growing movement. We are proud to be an important force backing and amplifying Roma youth leadership across borders.

Roma youth are not just affected, they are leading change, and we stand with them. This is the message of the new Phiren Amenca Strategy 2026–2030 to be launched soon. Watch this space!

✨ Leadership
✨ Participation in decision-making
✨ Challenging antigypsyism
✨ Building inclusive societies

Roma youth are shaping the future.

11/03/2026

This week, in collaboration with , we are running the study session “Art as Resistance: Empowering Romani Voices” 🎨✊🏽

Young people from different backgrounds come together to explore how art can be a powerful way to express identity, challenge discrimination, and strengthen Romani voices.

Art is not only expression. It is also resistance, memory, and empowerment. ❤️💙💚

10/02/2026

Today, the Hungarian prosecution brought charges against Géza Buzás-Hábel, organiser of Pécs Pride and Director of the Diverse Youth Network. The prosecution has requested that the court impose a financial penalty without a trial.

For the past five years, Géza, a board member of Phiren Amenca, has courageously organised Pécs Pride despite repeated attempts at intimidation. Just two weeks after Pécs Pride 2025, he was summoned by the police as a suspect. If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison.

This case raises serious concerns for the rule of law, freedom of assembly, and the right to peaceful protest, setting a dangerous precedent for civic space and human rights defenders across Europe.

On 9 December 2025, Phiren Amenca awarded Géza the Most Courageous Initiative Award as part of the Roma Youth Project Awards, in recognition of his brave, principled, and selfless work in defence of human rights and dignity. Today, that recognition is more relevant than ever. https://phirenamenca.eu/roma-youth-project-award-2025-winners/

We stand with Géza. We stand for the right to protest. We stand for equality, dignity, and democracy.

01/02/2026

Call for Participants

Study Session “Art as Resistance: Empowering Romani Voices”.

Join our study session exploring how remembrance and art can be a powerful tool to combat antigypsyism today.

If you want to:

🎨 Work with survivors’ artworks and creative methods

🤝 Connect across contexts through collaboration and collective remembrance

✊ Become an active agent of change against discrimination in your community

Place and time:
📍European Youth Centre of Budapest, Hungary
🗓️9 - 13 March 2026
🚨Deadline to apply: February 8

Link to apply:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfawXOqwwzaagF_ufkkZI5fxsD8rqjNcc_Fo-QhptFih_oZdQ/viewform?usp=header

12/12/2025

Throwback to the amazing first day of the Roma Youth Project Award 2025 gathering! 🚀 We kicked off the event with an inspiring Networking Meeting and powerful World Cafe-style presentations that set the tone for the days ahead.

Our participants dove deep into crucial topics with invaluable insights from our speakers:

Working in the : Insights shared by Reneta Krivonozova. 🇪🇺

The European Grassroots Organizations Network (.network): Presented by Stelina Dungaj and Cheyenne Wijts. 🌱

Protecting LGBTI equality and human rights in Europe and Central Asia: Expert talk by Luca Dudits, policy officer at . 🏳️‍🌈

Community based approaches for empowerment: Shared by Biser Alekov from Bravvo, Brussels. 💪

It was fantastic to witness so much passion, engagement, and shared knowledge in one room! Huge thanks to all the participants and speakers for this inspiring start. ✨

12/12/2025

Filled with pride at the activities, attitude and international influence of our board member habel.geza, tireless fighter for everyone’s human rights. Winner of the Most Courageous Initiative Award

10/12/2025

✨ Roma Youth Project Awards 2025 ✨
Inspiring day in Brussels on December 9!
Honoring empowering Roma youth projects and the outstanding leaders behind them.
Congrats to all award winners—your impact is felt across Europe.
Grateful for every participant, partner, and supporter. More details at phirenamenca.eu

08/12/2025

08/12/2025

✨ Happening tomorrow!
The Roma Youth Project Awards 2025 are happening this Tuesday in Brussels, and we’re excited to celebrate some of the most inspiring Roma youth initiatives from across Europe and beyond.

🎥 Meet the finalists in the video below — young leaders and organisations making real change in their communities.

📺 Watch the Awards Ceremony live on December 9
⏰ 10:00–12:00 CET
📍 Streaming right here on our page

Join us to honour their work, amplify their voices, and support Roma youth empowerment!

02/12/2025

✨ One week to go! ✨
In just seven days, we’ll be in Brussels for the Roma Youth Project Awards 2025 — a celebration of the most inspiring and empowering Roma youth initiatives from across Europe and beyond.

🌍 Want to join us live?
📺 Watch the livestream right here on this page
📅 December 9, 2025
⏰ 10:00–12:00 CET

See you soon! ✨

01/12/2025

Meet our finalists: The Local Youth Council of Shuto Orizari successfully advocated for the creation of a Resource Center for returnees and marginalized groups, opened on April 8, 2025 with support from the EU and UNDP.

The Center provides essential services such as reintegration support, social protection, employment & education help, and legal and health advice.

This achievement was led by young Roma, whose advocacy with local institutions and international stakeholders made the project possible. Their leadership shows the power of youth to bring real change to the community.

Follow their work:
🌐 https://sutoorizari.gov.mk/?page_id=4386

23/11/2025

Memory Bridges is a youth-led art & memory project connecting Roma WWII testimonies with the lived experiences of young Roma affected by today’s war—turning oral histories into palm drawings, an immersive photo-installation, and a short documentary. Watch their submission for the