REYN - Romani Early Years Network

09/04/2026

This International Roma Day, we reaffirm a simple but urgent truth: every child deserves the opportunity to thrive from the very start.

Yet many young Roma children still face barriers to their well-being and development. Supporting the professionals who work with children and families is key to building more inclusive early childhood systems.

To mark the day, CHAVORE (which means “children” in the Romani language) has launched an interactive Quest inviting you to explore key ideas, access practical tools, and connect with peers.

🔗 Take the Quest: https://chavore-quest.issa.nl/en



REYN Slovakia, REYN Slovenija, REYN Italia - La Rete per la prima infanzia rom, REYN - Belgium, REYN Bosnia and Herzegovina, REYN - Hrvatska, Reyn Hungary

04/03/2026

On 10 March, ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives and HundrEDorg are hosting a webinar exploring how early childhood practice can move from “doing for” children to “deciding with” them.

Drawing on the experience of TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs — active in 9 European countries and reaching more than 50,000 children and 20,000 adults — the session will share practical insights on creating play-based spaces that strengthen belonging, inclusion, and children’s participation.

🗓 10 March 2026 ⏰ 16:00 CET | 14:00 UTC

The webinar will explore:
• How TOY for Inclusion evolved into TOY for Participation
• Why reflecting on power and adult roles matters in early childhood practice
• Practical examples from implementing countries

Learn more and register: https://hundred.org/en/events/meaningful-child-participation-moving-from-doing-for-to-deciding-with



Partners Hungary Alapítvány, Pučko otvoreno učilište Korak po korak, Izglītības iniciatīvu centrs - IIC Center for Education Initiatives, LHSI "Соціальні ініціативи з охорони праці та здоров'я", Škola dokorán n.o., Pedagoški inštitut/Educational Research Institute, Associazione 21 luglio, REYN - Romani Early Years Network

16/02/2026

On 17 February, we come together to mark the launch of the ECOS Institute as a shared space for learning, dialogue, and collaboration across practice, policy, and research.

The conversation will bring together voices from different contexts and disciplines to reflect on:
🔸 why early childhood needs stronger, more connected systems
🔸 what it means to build a shared home for early childhood learning
🔸 how collaboration across sectors can support meaningful change for children and families

📅 February 17 | 14:00–15:30 CET

Speakers include:
Emily Vargas-Baron, Deák Éva, hasina ebrahim, Ariel Fiszbein, Liana Ghent, Mihaela Ionescu, Ph.D, Sarah Klaus, Juan Fernando Larranaga, Joan Lombardi, Elizabeth Lule, Brigita Mark, Evelyn Santiago, and Hirokazu Yoshikawa.

👉 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nCBiQsjtTlu_jRaoghMRew #/registration

18/12/2025

ISSA Member NGO Labor and Health Social Initiatives (LHSI) recently conducted a TOY4Participation workshop in . The training focused on strengthening understanding of children’s participation in early childhood, challenging adult-centred practices, and supporting institutions to pilot participation-based approaches.

Despite wartime constraints, participants explored practical tools and committed to embedding participation as a systemic, institution-wide practice.

🔗 Learn more about the training: https://lnkd.in/e4Br7x4E



LHSI "Соціальні ініціативи з охорони праці та здоров'я", ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives, Partners Hungary Alapítvány, Pedagoški inštitut/Educational Research Institute, Škola dokorán n.o., Pučko otvoreno učilište Korak po korak, Associazione 21 luglio, Izglītības iniciatīvu centrs - IIC Center for Education Initiatives, Фондация "За Нашите Деца"

13/11/2025

TOY for Inclusion is expanding!

05/11/2025

Celebrating the Day of the Romani Language

“Language and culture are not only part of our identity — they are powerful tools for learning and connection.

Today, on the Day of the Romani Language, ISSA Executive Director Liana Ghent addressed the Forum “Romas of Transcarpathia: Integration into the Educational Space by Ensuring the Right to Education” in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.

In her speech, Liana reflected on the Romani language as a living link between identity and learning — a source of pride, belonging, and confidence from the earliest years. She reminded participants that language lies at the heart of inclusive early childhood development, shaping how children see themselves and connect with others.

She also recognized the inspiring work of ISSA Member Blago Foundation, led by Eleonora Kulchar, which is part of our REYN - Romani Early Years Network and whose community-based initiatives continue to bring Roma and non-Roma children together to learn, play, and thrive — even amid the challenges of war. Through safe and welcoming spaces, Blago builds trust, celebrates culture, and shows that inclusion begins by valuing every child’s heritage and voice.

As Liana concluded, investing in holistic, inclusive early learning is investing in peace, community, and the future of every child.

“Let us keep building partnerships that ensure Roma and non-Roma children alike can grow, learn, and dream freely. May there be peace soon, in Ukraine and all places affected by war, so that we can ensure the best conditions for this.”

21/10/2025

Creating Spaces of Belonging: Partners Hungary’s Work with CHAVORE

The CHAVORE Initiative strengthens early childhood systems to foster belonging and emotional well-being for young Roma children. Under the initiative, ISSA Member, Partners Hungary Alapítvány have developed two learning sessions: one on building culturally responsive, bias-free environments, and another on practitioner self-care and emotional resilience.

By addressing both inclusion and the well-being of caregivers, CHAVORE ensures practitioners are equipped to create safe, supportive spaces where every child feels seen and valued.

Learn more: https://chavore.reyn.eu/chavore/news/belonging-starts-early-partners-hungary



Pedagoški inštitut/Educational Research Institute, Kosova Education Center - KEC, Pučko otvoreno učilište Korak po korak, Škola dokorán n.o.

16/10/2025

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has recently released The Unheard 12 Million – The Unstoppable Voices of Roma and Traveller Women — a compelling wake-up call to act for Roma and Traveller rights.

Through powerful testimony and photography, the book highlights the resilience and determination of Roma and Traveller women across Europe, and underlines the urgency of ensuring equity, dignity, and opportunities for every child and family.

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has recently released The Unheard 12 Million – The Unstoppable Voices of Roma and Traveller Women — a compelling wake-up call to act for Roma and Traveller rights.

Through powerful testimony and photography, the book highlights the resilience and determination of Roma and Traveller women across Europe, and underlines the urgency of ensuring equity, dignity, and opportunities for every child and family.

At ISSA, we connect strongly with this message through our initiatives:

🔹 Romani Early Years Network (REYN): advocating for Roma and Traveller children’s access to quality early childhood services.

🔹 CHAVORE: promoting mental health and well-being in early childhood with a focus on Roma families.

🔹 TOY4Participation: empowering children, including Roma, to take part in decisions that affect their lives.

This call cannot be ignored. It urges us to act now, so Roma and Traveller children can grow up in societies where their rights are upheld and their voices valued.

📖 View the book: https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/the-unheard-12-million

👉 Learn more about these initiatives: https://www.issa.nl/

09/10/2025

In this interview with Giulia Cortellesi and Mariana Palazuelos of ICDI, we learn about the creation of the ICDI Toolkit developed under the TOY4Participatio...

30/09/2025

Supporting practitioners to respond with care and confidence

Across Europe, children in vulnerable communities face challenges that affect their well-being, learning, and development. The Initiative: Mental Well-being of Young Roma Children, supported by the European Commission’s CERV Program, works to ensure that children — particularly young Roma children — grow up in environments that nurture their full potential.

In Croatia, Pučko otvoreno učilište Korak po korak (Open Academy Step by Step) is bringing this mission to life. Through a new learning session, early childhood practitioners are being equipped with the skills and confidence to apply Psychological First Aid (PFA) in their work.

Psychological First Aid isn’t a specialized intervention, it is a natural human response to offer care in times of need. The training helps practitioners notice when young children are in distress and respond in a supportive, developmentally appropriate way. Tools like the LLL strategy (Look, Listen, Link) make these skills practical and adaptable, while encouraging collaboration with families and services.

The article tells how these learnings were put into practice when a traumatic event occurred in the community, showing how everyday actions rooted in empathy can help children feel safe, supported, and cared for.

🔗 Learn more: https://chavore.reyn.eu/chavore/news/caring-for-the-carers

18/09/2025

Last week in Zagreb, Croatia, trainers from in nine countries gathered for a Training of Trainers to promote child participation in early childhood services. The event is part of TOY4Participation, an initiative led by ICDI - International Child Development Initiatives and funded by the European Commission, focused on embedding meaningful participation of children aged 0–10—especially those from underrepresented groups like Roma, migrants, and children with special needs.

Over three days, participants explored the newly developed TOY4Participation Toolkit through hands-on sessions tailored to different age groups, learning how to embed child participation into daily routines in Play Hubs and other ECEC settings.

The training built both content knowledge and coaching skills so that participants can confidently deliver similar trainings in their own countries. The Toolkit offers concrete, play-based methods that help practitioners and caregivers give children real space, voice, audience, and influence—turning small moments into consistent, democratic practices.

Participation shouldn't be a one-off activity. When children are regularly invited to express their views, make choices, and see adults respond with respect, it becomes part of everyday life.

📖 Read the full story: https://www.issa.nl/content/training-trainers-zagreb-equips-practitioners-foster-child-participation

🔗 Learn more about TOY4Participation and how Play Hubs will continue piloting child participation: https://www.reyn.eu/toy4inclusion/toy-for-participation/



Pedagoški inštitut/Educational Research Institute, Partners Hungary Alapítvány, Associazione 21 luglio, Pučko otvoreno učilište Korak po korak, Skoladokoran - Wideopenschool, LHSI "Соціальні ініціативи з охорони праці та здоров'я", Izglītības iniciatīvu centrs - IIC Center for Education Initiatives, Фондация "За Нашите Деца"

28/07/2025

📣 Webinar, happening this week: Take a picture of me! The potential of photography in early education | 🗓 July 30 | 12:30–14:30 CEST

Hosted by ISSA Member, Trust For Social Achievement and REYN - Romani Early Years Network Bulgaria, this webinar will explore how photography can enrich early childhood education — supporting children’s development, making learning visible, and strengthening connections with families.

Through examples and inspiration from the Reggio Emilia approach and a Bulgarian state kindergarten, the session will unpack the practical and ethical aspects of using photographs in kindergartens. ISSA Program Manager, Aljosa Rudas, will speak about the transformative power of photography in early childhood.

Learn more & register here: https://www.issa.nl/content/webinar-take-picture-me-potential-photography-early-education