European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network

We are excited to share the results of our subgranting work across Europe in 2023, when we awarded our members small grants in 3 different categories as part of our Annual Work Programme “#Roma #Equality, #Inclusion and Participation 2023”, funded by the #CERV Programme of the European Commission and supported by EPIM (European Philanthropic Initiative for Migration). Four of the grants were dedicated to national research on different topics, and so we will share infographics created using the research produced by the members. This infographic is based on the research our member Fundacja Jaw Dikh from Poland, carried out on the topic of #Roma activists who support Ukrainian Roma refugees residing in Poland. It documented their valuable experiences, promoted the Roma agency, and advocated for policy changes to empower Roma communities. You can read more about this research here: https://lnkd.in/euUcVW7i

📣 DEADLINE EXTENDED: APPLY TO BE OUR NATIONAL FOCAL POINT! We are seeking committed #Roma Civil Society representatives to serve as National Focal Points in #Albania, #Bulgaria, #Czechia, #Greece, #Germany, #Italy, #North Macedonia, #Romania, #Spain, and #Slovakia. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of the #RIPE (Roma Inclusion, Participation & Equality) Index & Map, a vital tool in the fight against #antigypsyism and #discrimination. National Focal Points will assist in data collection and provide critical insights into the implementation of Human Rights standards related to the Roma and Travellers' communities. This role is integral to ensuring that the voices of Roma communities are heard and represented at local, national, and European levels. Interested candidates should submit: ✔ A document (200 words max) outlining their organization's experience, qualifications, and capacity. ✔ A brief statement of interest detailing their motivation and suitability for the role. Please send your application to [email protected] by 02 September 2024 23:59 CET.

Today, we are happy to share more results of our subgranting work with our European members—this time, our research comes from Slovo 21, z. s., in the Czech Republic. In 2023, ERGO Network awarded its members with small grants in 3 different categories as part of our Annual Work Programme “#Roma #Equality, #Inclusion and #Participation 2023”, funded by the CERV Programme of the European Commission. This infographic is based on the research our members Slovo 21 carried out on the topic of life priorities of the Roma. It describes how a group of Roma people in selected five localities, including socially excluded ones (Budišov nad Budišovkou, Chodov, Chomutov, Prague, and Rokycany), understand their role models and identify them. It also includes information about their well-being, quality of life, and how they cope with their life situation. The research results are a relevant starting point in preparing various activities focused on the most important life priorities, contributing to increasing Roma living conditions.

We are pleased to announce our participation in the international conference in Krakow titled: "The Future of #Holocaust Remembrance and Education: Passing on the Testimonies of #Roma and #Sinti Holocaust Survivors." This event is organized by the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma (Zentralrat Deutscher Sinti und Roma), in partnership with the Alliance against Antigypsyism, and the Association of Roma in Poland. It marks the 80th anniversary of the Roma and Sinti genocide at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Our Senior Advocacy Officer Isabela Mihalache and our #Western Balkans coordinator Dejan Markovic spoke at the conference. Topics include: 📌 The future of Roma and Sinti Holocaust recognition, remembrance, and education, and the role of Holocaust survivors’ testimonies. 📌 Voices of the Victims. Learning from the testimonies of Roma and Sinti Holocaust victims and survivors. We look forward to ensuring the voices of survivors are heard and remembered! #HolocaustRemembrance #RomaHolocaust #NeverForget

💪 ERGO Network is Growing! We are delighted to announce that during this year's General Assembly our current members voted on the accession of new member organisations. Our network is expanding gradually, and we're looking forward to making a positive impact together. We're delighted to announce that Organizatia Sastipen from Romania and Platforma Femeilor Rome "Romni" from Moldova (Roma Women Platform Romni) have been elevated to full membership status within the ERGO Network! We also warmly welcome three new associate members who joined us this year: Suomen romaniyhdistys ry - Finitiko Romanengo Sankiba (Finnish Roma Association), Trajosko Drom from Sweden, and Romni APS from Italy! All of them are working tirelessly to improve the lives of Roma people in their communities. We're proud to support their vital work! Through this expansion, we aim to strengthen our collective efforts in promoting justice, equality, and inclusion for #Roma communities throughout Europe. 

🕯 80th Anniversary of the #Roma #Holocaust Today, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Roma Holocaust, known as the #Porajmos or #Samudaripen. On this solemn day, we honor the memory of the 500,000 Roma and #Sinti people who were persecuted and murdered during the Holocaust by the Nazi regime. On August 2, 1944, nearly 4,300 Roma men, women, and children were exterminated in a single night at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. As we reflect on this dark chapter of history, let us commit to fostering tolerance, understanding, and respect for all cultures and communities. By educating ourselves and others about the past, we can work towards a future free from discrimination and injustice. Let us unite in remembrance and ensure that the voices of those who suffered are never forgotten. Together, we can create a world where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is valued.

📢 Share your input on #antigypsyism in your country's National #Roma Framework by 1 August! In October 2020, the European Commission introduced the European Framework for #Roma Equality, Inclusion, and Participation 2021-2030. This initiative urges Member States and Enlargement Countries to create National Roma Strategic Frameworks, aligned with the new guidelines. 🫵 We are monitoring the implementation of these frameworks and want to hear from YOU! Are you an NGO or activist working on Roma issues in the EU or Enlargement Countries? Please take 15 minutes to fill out our questionnaire (below) and share your insights on the design and implementation of the National Roma Strategic ramework in your country to combat antigypsyism and discrimination against Roma. ⏰ Deadline: August 1st, 2024 Help ensure everyone's voice is heard! Share this post and take the survey today!

✨ Highlights from the High Level Political Forum on #HLPF2024, the United Nations' platform on sustainable development. Our director Jamen Gabriela Hrabanova moderated a side event hosted by the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work & Descent (GFoD), exploring the crucial importance of visibility and cultural representation for #CDWD and #LGBTQIA+ individuals. She shared examples of impactful leadership from LGBTQIA+ communities, underscoring how powerful representation can drive change and foster inclusion.

🙌 We are happy to welcome Dragan Jokovic to the ERGO Network board! Dragan has dedicated his life to the principles of #equality and #justice. With extensive experience in international organizations and a profound commitment to #Roma inclusion, he has been an advocate for marginalized communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As one of the founders of Otaharin - Centre for Integrative Inclusion of Roma Men and Women, Dragan has led efforts to combat #antigypsyism and improve access to #rights for Roma communities. His innovative approach has made significant progress in civil society engagement and #minority rights protection. #NewBoardMember #HumanRights #Inclusion #Equality #RomaRights

We are pleased to be a part of the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum (CSF) 2024, organized by the Südosteuropa-Gesellschaft e.V. and the Aspen Institute Germany, with support from the Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany. Dejan Markovic, our Western #Balkans coordinator, and Adriatik Hasantari, the executive director of our member NGO Roma Active Albania, attended the Preparatory Forum on July 9-11 in Skopje. This Forum, integral to the Berlin Process, fosters cooperation in the Western Balkans and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The Preparatory Forum enabled working groups to develop policy recommendations, which will be discussed with government representatives at the Main Forum during the #Berlin Process Summit. This platform allows civil society and think tank representatives to offer input and engage in important discussions. We look forward to contributing to this significant initiative. #BerlinProcess #CSF2024 #CivilSociety #WesternBalkans