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Our mission

To increase the Resilience of Roma Communities in the face of social, economic, environmental, health, political changes and crises through Education.

Our vision

To create a supportive environment for every child, young person and parent with whom REF works, empowering them to develop personal resilience in rapidly changing societies.

To instill confidence and a sense of belonging, and to encourage active participation within their communities while emphasizing the importance of education as a catalyst for growth and development.

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A powerful partnership, an unstoppable force for positive transformation of our Roma communities. Let's Build Resilient Roma Communities Together!

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News

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Roma Leadership Program

We have received many questions and provided a series of answers and clarifications about the Roma Leadership Program. Here are the most frequently asked questions from our applicants, along with our answers. Q: What is the maximum age for enrollment in the program? A: There is no maximum age for enrollment in the Rome Leadership [Read More]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Roma Leadership Program

Roma Leadership Program | Empowering the Next Generation of Roma Leaders

Do you want to make a real difference? Join the next generation of Roma changemakers!  The Roma Education Fund, the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Roma for Democracy, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, and the Roma Foundation for Europe announce the Roma Leadership Program —a new opportunity for you to learn, connect with [Read More]

Roma Leadership Program | Empowering the Next Generation of Roma Leaders

“A Resilience Journey” Documentary | Three Years On: Supporting Roma Refugees from Ukraine

“A Resilience Journey” Documentary Three years have elapsed since the onset of the war in Ukraine, and its devastating effects profoundly impact the lives of Ukrainians. From the outset, our foundation, with the generous backing of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB)’s Migrant and Refugee Fund, has proactively addressed the challenges faced by displaced [Read More]

“A Resilience Journey” Documentary | Three Years On: Supporting Roma Refugees from Ukraine

Our projects

Roma Leadership Program

The RLP is designed to be an innovative learning experience, featuring a masterclass and an internship. It provides participants with practical and engaging opportunities to develop the tools, knowledge, and vision necessary for future leadership roles within organizations, networks, and institutions. Powered by Roma Education Fund, the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Roma for Democracy, the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, and the Roma Foundation for Europe..

Roma Status

Roma Status is a Facebook group created by our team in Romania and administrated by Gabriel Zorilă. Among many projects we produce for our audience, "Inspiring Stories Podcast" is the best received. Zorila is the host of the show.

Roma Status

REF Educators Network

The REF Educators Network is a collaborative platform dedicated to improving the quality of education for Roma communities. It empowers educators through ongoing professional development, innovative teaching strategies, and culturally inclusive practices.

Educators Roma Education

REF Skills and Employment

REF Coaching & Skill is an open LMS platform where students can enroll, access courses, and develop key skills for their academic and professional growth.

Alexandru Zamfir
Deep Indian Roots of Roma Culture and Romani Language
Deep Indian Roots of Roma Culture and Romani Language
Miron Radu Paraschivescu
Cântice țigănești și alte poeme
Cântice țigănești și alte poeme
Radu Rosetti
Scrieri
Scrieri
Doina Ruști
Manuscrisul fanariot
Manuscrisul fanariot
Zaharia Stancu
Șatra
Șatra
Ninotchka Devorah Bennahum
Carmen, a Gypsy Geography
Carmen, a Gypsy Geography
Abigail Rothblatt Bardi
The Gypsy as Trope in Victorian and Modern British Literature,
The Gypsy as Trope in Victorian and Modern British Literature,
David Mayall
Gypsy Identities: 1500-2000. From Egipcyans and Moon-men to the Ethnic Romany
Gypsy Identities: 1500-2000. From Egipcyans and Moon-men to the Ethnic Romany
Diane Tong (ed.)
Gypsies. An Interdisciplinary Reader
Gypsies. An Interdisciplinary Reader
David Mayall
Gypsy-travellers in Nineteenth-Century Society
Gypsy-travellers in Nineteenth-Century Society
Terence Cave
Mignon’s Afterlives. Crossing Cultures from Goethe to the Twenty-First Century,
Mignon’s Afterlives. Crossing Cultures from Goethe to the Twenty-First Century,
Mărginean, Ioan (coord.), Ana Maria Preoteasa, Iuliana Precupeţu, Sorin Cace
Cercetări cu privire la minoritatea romă
Cercetări cu privire la minoritatea romă
Mihai Merfea
Cultură și civilizație romani
Cultură și civilizație romani
Lucian Nastasă, Andreea Varga
Minorităţi etnoculturale. Mărturii documentare. Ţiganii din România (1919-1944)
Minorităţi etnoculturale. Mărturii documentare. Ţiganii din România (1919-1944)
Judith Okely
The Traveller Gypsies
The Traveller Gypsies
George Soulis
The Gypsies in the Byzantine Empire and the Balkans in the Late Middle Ages
The Gypsies in the Byzantine Empire and the Balkans in the Late Middle Ages

Our team and partners

Ciprian NECULA Executive President

For more than two decades, Ciprian has been active as a Roma activist, undertaking various professions and public roles to foster an inclusive society and diminish the marginalization and exclusion of Roma in Romania. His career in activism commenced under the guidance and mentorship of Nicolae Gheorghe. Ciprian has held various roles, including journalist, leader [Read More]

Ciprian NECULA Executive President

Stanislav DANIEL Director of REF Slovakia

Stano is a Roma rights activist, advocate, researcher and trainer from Slovakia. Being a member of the community himself, his knowledge combines first-hand experience with theoretical knowledge he gained through both formal and informal education. He currently works as a freelancer for a number of organizations, including the government. His previous work experience includes the [Read More]

Stanislav DANIEL Director of REF Slovakia

Redjepali CHUPI Director of REF Serbia and North Macedonia

Redjepali has 20 years of experience in governmental and NGO sectors, focusing on promoting minority rights and inclusive education. As the former Director of the Directorate for Promotion and Development of Languages for Ethnic Minorities at the Ministry of Education and Science in the Republic of Macedonia, he spearheaded efforts to ensure the realization of [Read More]

Redjepali CHUPI Director of REF Serbia and North Macedonia

Claudia CRAIU Public Affairs Director

With a robust foundation in journalism and communication, she has collaborated with some of the world’s most prestigious media giants, including Deutsche Welle, Al Jazeera, Euronews, and the BBC. Her freelance journalism career is marked by notable projects, such as working with acclaimed American documentary filmmaker Lesley Chilcott on “CodeGirls” and with Blenheim Films UK [Read More]

Claudia CRAIU Public Affairs Director
Stay connected

Initial Founders

The World Bank

An international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
The World Bank

Open Society Foundations

Financially supports civil society groups around the world, with the stated aim of advancing justice, education, public health and independent media.
Open Society Foundations