Roma Education Fund

25/08/2026

From Education to Employment

On 19 August, the Roma Education Fund brought together public institutions, international organisations, employers and Roma civil society in Ankara, Türkiye, for the REF Türkiye National Policy Roundtable, organised under the RARE II project.

The discussions focused on strengthening pathways from education to skills and sustainable employment for Roma youth, based on the findings and recommendations of REF’s Bridging Education and Employment Policy Report.

„Across Europe, and particularly in the context of Roma inclusion, we increasingly recognize that improving access to education is only one part of the solution. What matters equally is whether young Roma are able to successfully move through the education system, complete secondary education, access vocational or higher education, and ultimately make a sustainable transition into decent employment,” said Marijana Rakić, REF Serbia Public Affairs Senior Officer

The event highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation between education, vocational training, employment services, employers and Roma civil society.

📖 More details in comments ⬇

The project “EU Regional Action for Roma Education: Increased Education Support and Opportunities for Roma Students in the Western Balkans and Turkey (RARE), phase II” is funded by the European Commission through the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood and is implemented by REF Romania and REF Serbia.

21/08/2026

🎓 One step closer to university!

We are happy to congratulate the participants in our “POLI Education – A Chance for Everyone” project, graduates of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Technological High School in Buzău, Romania, “Ștefan cel Mare” Theoretical High School in Râmnicu Sărat, Romania, and “Radu Negru” Technological High School in Galați, Romania, who successfully passed the Baccalaureate exam! 👏

After a year of hard work, perseverance and dedication, they are now preparing for an important new chapter: university. 🎓

For Denisa Stroe, a graduate of “Ștefan cel Mare” Theoretical High School in Râmnicu Sărat, participating in the project provided valuable support in preparing for the Baccalaureate exam. Denisa achieved an 8.90 average and shared:

💬 “I made the most of this project. The outlines we worked on together helped me a lot. With your support, I understood literary works much more easily, while the consistent work in mathematics helped me understand the algorithms. This project definitely contributed to improving my grades. I am happy and grateful to have been part of it.”

📚 The students’ results also highlight the importance of remedial education. Rodica Zănet, remedial teacher at “Radu Negru” Technological High School in Galați, explains:

💬 “The students appreciated the effectiveness of the remedial classes, as shown by the fact that they did not need additional tutoring and achieved very good results. What helped most was working step by step, focusing on individual topics and learning a practical approach.”

🌱 But the project is not only about supporting students preparing for the Baccalaureate. It is also about mentoring, guidance and building confidence among students preparing to enter their final year of high school.

One of them is Monalisa Chiriac, a Mathematics-Informatics student at “Ștefan cel Mare” Theoretical High School in Râmnicu Sărat:

💬 “Taking part in this project meant having security and guidance at a time when I needed academic direction the most. The mentoring and resources provided by Roma Education Fund made my educational journey easier and helped me focus on my studies without worrying that I would not be able to manage on my own. It was real support, and I am deeply grateful for it.”

👏 We congratulate all our students and wish them every success in their educational and professional journeys!

The “POLI Education – A Chance for Everyone” project (SMIS Code 324475) is implemented by the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest in partnership with Roma Education Fund Romania, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Technological High School in Buzău, “Ștefan cel Mare” Theoretical High School in Râmnicu Sărat and “Radu Negru” Technological High School in Galați. The project is co-financed by the European Social Fund+ through the Education and Employment Programme.

17/08/2026

🎉 from Romania

After months of preparation, support and hard work, students from “Elena Caragiani” Technical College in Tecuci and “Traian Vuia” Auto High School in Galați have successfully passed their Baccalaureate exam and are now preparing for the next important step: university. 🎓

Every student who continues their educational journey is a reminder that access to support, opportunities and encouragement can make a real difference.

💬 Narcis Crăciun, a graduate of “Elena Caragiani” Technical College in Tecuci, shared what taking part in the project meant to him:

“Participating in the activities of the ‘First Student in the Family’ project helped me develop my communication, collaboration and responsibility skills. It also gave me more confidence in myself. I would recommend other students to take part because the project offered me support, real opportunities and valuable experiences.”

Narcis already has a clear goal for his future: he hopes to study at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Applied Computer Science in Iași, deepen his knowledge and build a career in the field of electrical energy. ⚡

For Andrei Ionuț Băleanu, a graduate of “Traian Vuia” Auto High School in Galați, the project represented an opportunity he truly needed:

“This project was a chance for me that no one else seemed able to offer. The classes at school were not enough, while private tutoring is quite expensive. The project really helped me pass the Baccalaureate exam and played an important role in my final grade. I am glad I was part of the project and I would like to thank the organisers and all the teachers involved.”

👏 We wish all the graduates every success as they continue their educational and professional journeys. We hope that soon we will be celebrating another important milestone with them: becoming the first university students in their families!

This activity is part of the “First Student in the Family – The First Step Towards Professional Success – Student-FAM” project (ID 324184), funded through the Education and Employment Programme 2021–2027 (PEO) and implemented by “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, in partnership with Roma Education Fund Romania and “Elena Caragiani” Technological High School in Tecuci, with “Traian Vuia” Transport and Auto High School in Galați as an associated partner.



Roma for Europe Roma for Democracy Foundation REDI - Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture - ERIAC

14/08/2026

🎉 | Call for Papers is now open!

We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 5th International Scientific Session “Gheorghianism and the Foundations of the Roma Nation”, taking place on 5–6 November 2026 in Bucharest, Romania.

The event is organised by Roma Education Fund and the Faculty of Political Science at SNSPA, in collaboration with the Centre for Roma Studies of the Faculty of History, University of Bucharest.

🎓 The session is open to third-year undergraduate students, master’s students, PhD candidates and researchers interested in presenting their own scientific research related to Roma-related topics, across fields including:

🔬 Social sciences, biomedical sciences and humanities
📚 History
🧠 Philosophy
🌍 Anthropology
👥 Sociology
🗣️ Foreign languages and literatures – Romani specialisation

📅 Submission deadline: 30 October 2026

The event is a tribute to the humanist legacy of Nicolae Gheorghe, the renowned Roma sociologist and civic activist. Over its four previous editions, it has become an important space for academic dialogue and knowledge exchange among researchers, academics and students interested in Roma history, culture and society.

📖 Find out more about this year's theme, submission requirements and previous editions in the full article on our website.

👉 Link in comments ⬇️

We look forward to welcoming you and making this fifth edition another opportunity for meaningful academic exchange! ✌️

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

from Romania 🏆 The first group of participants has successfully completed their forklift operator qualification, taking their final exam on August 12.

These newly qualified forklift operators have gained for an occupation needed by employers, opening a direct pathway to formal employment, stable income and active participation in the economies.

This is what investing in Roma economic empowerment can do: turn untapped potential and talent into skills, skills into jobs, and jobs into greater economic security for families, a stronger workforce for employers and greater participation in the economy.

Europe cannot afford to leave Roma talent outside its labour market. Its Roma population is young, capable and ready to contribute. Europe needs every worker it can get. Investing in our Roma youth isn’t charity, it’s

Their story soon!

We invest in human capital, supporting access to relevant skills and qualifications and creating pathways into employment, so that Roma talent can become an active part of Europe’s economic present and future.

REDI - Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative Roma for Europe Roma for Democracy Foundation European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture - ERIAC

04/08/2026

Roma Holocaust Memorial Day remembers victims while highlighting rising anti-Roma racism, extremism, and threats to democracy across Europe.

04/08/2026

Cultural activities have started in Tărlungeni and Zizin!

The first creative workshops of the CERC Project have brought children together in spaces where creativity, learning, and cultural identity go hand in hand.

Through interactive activities led by our colleagues Roxana Avasiloaiei and Marius Pop, the children explored Roma culture, history, traditions, and identity. They learned about the symbols and stories that are part of the Roma cultural heritage, discovered the meaning of the Roma flag, and created a cardboard model inspired by it, adding Romani words related to community, family, respect, and belonging.

🌍 These cultural workshops encourage children to reconnect with their roots while fostering respect for diversity, intercultural dialogue, and creative expression. They also help strengthen self-confidence, nurture a sense of belonging, and inspire pride in their cultural heritage.

The children's curiosity and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. They asked thoughtful questions, eagerly explored new topics, and finished the activities excited for the next creative workshop.

💙 Every question, every discovery, and every shared experience is another step toward turning participation into achievement and building communities where diversity is understood, appreciated, and celebrated.



The Centre for Remedial and Complementary Education (CERC) projects (SMIS Codes 339121 and 339122), co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) through the Education and Employment Programme (EEP), are being implemented from March 2026 to February 2028 in the municipalities of Tărlungeni and Zizin, Brașov County, Romania

03/08/2026

"The Roma Holocaust remains a footnote in mainstream narratives of the Second World War. Historians estimate that over 500,000 Roma and Sinti were killed by the N***s and their collaborators. And yet, Roma victims are too often portrayed either through the lens of prejudice—with stereotypes about criminality or antisocial behaviour subtly reinforcing the very logic that justified the persecution of Roma—or as anonymous victims stripped of agency and resistance. The meaningful involvement of Roma in Holocaust museums, memorials and political boards is anecdotal. Roma testimonies and archives are scattered and often inaccessible, making it difficult for scholars and family members alike to consult vital records. Research on the Roma Holocaust is underfunded, while hundreds of its sites across Europe are still unmarked and disrespected.

What’s worse, racism against Roma—which enabled the genocide to happen in the first place—continues to shape the lives of Roma in Europe, and in recent years it has intensified. Roma face hate speech, police violence, and segregated housing and schooling. Anti-Roma prejudice remains widespread and dangerously entrenched. A recent report by MIA, Germany’s national body for reporting racism against Roma, disclosed that such cases jumped in Germany in 2025, with 2,076 logged. In Greece and Slovenia, Roma endure state-sponsored surveillance and the securitisation of whole neighbourhoods, and politicians in Portugal and Hungary scapegoat Roma for political gain" - Anna Mirga

82 years after the mass murder of Roma and Sinti at Auschwitz-Birkenau, anti-Roma hate persists. Today’s European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day is a warning that Europe is still failing to turn the lessons of history into political reality.   By Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka   This September, Saxony-Anh...

02/08/2026

2 August – European Holocaust Memorial Day (Samudaripen) 🕯️

On the night of 2–3 August 1944, 4300 Roma and Sinti were murdered at the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp.

Learning about history helps us combat racism, discrimination, and hatred, and build a society in which the dignity of every person is respected.

Let us never forget!
Te na bistras!