Regional Capacity Building Event in Skopje Strengthens Collaboration, Learning, and Vision for Roma Education and Employment Across the Western Balkans
Roma Education Fund organized the Regional Capacity Building for Elevating Best Practices in Education and Employment event on December 3rd and 4th in Skopje, North Macedonia, as part of the EU Regional Action for Roma Education – RARE Phase II project.
The two-day gathering brought together implementing partners, country facilitators, educators, project teams, and experts from across the Western Balkans to reflect on progress, share experiences, and strengthen their capacity to support Roma children and youth through high-quality educational interventions.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Claudia Craiu, REF’s Director of Public Affairs, followed by an overview of project achievements delivered by Monica Călin, RARE Project Manager and Education Programs Director of REF Romania. Their contributions set the tone for a dynamic and collaborative space focused on knowledge sharing and practical learning.
Throughout the two days, participants engaged in group sessions structured around the full education cycle – Early Childhood (ECD), Primary (PRI), Secondary (SEC), and Tertiary Education (TER) – ensuring that discussions reflected the diversity of challenges and opportunities at each educational level.
Key workshops and capacity-building sessions included:
Summary Session: Challenges, Successful Approaches, and Strategic Priorities for Year 3 | Facilitated by Ana Duraki and Nataša Markovska Momčilović, RARE Project Officers
The workshop was held in two separate sessions to engage different groups of implementing partners, one dealing with Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Primary (PRI) education levels, and the other focused on Secondary and Tertiary education. The purpose was to create space for each group to reflect on key aspects of the project intervention, exchange challenges and good practices, and define shared priorities. Both sessions concluded with facilitators guiding participants through the main goals and agreements for the current project year.
Financial Implementation Review: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Outlook | Facilitated by Dragana Rajić, RARE Financial Manager.
The session focused on various aspects essential for the successful financial management of project interventions. All participants responsible for finances and operations received an overview of Year 1 and Year 2 activities. The discussion addressed procedures, tools, and requirements to be followed, with special emphasis on rules for collecting and reporting financial documentation as part of project management.
Gender-Sensitive Approaches & Participation of Roma Girls | Trainer: Ioana Dorneanu, National Coordinator of REF Complementary Education Centers, Romania
The gender-focused segment of the event was especially important for the REF team, as gender equality remains one of the key priorities within the project intervention. The emphasis is placed on ensuring that at least 50% of the beneficiaries are women and girls, and on identifying and addressing potential gender-related barriers. The session provided space to reflect on the importance of gender mainstreaming, introduced relevant tools and approaches, and, most importantly, enabled a discussion on common challenges organizations and individuals can face when working to engage Roma girls. Participants also exchanged constructive solutions and practices that have proven effective in overcoming these challenges.
Power Up Education: Tools for Stronger Learning Environments (ECD & PRI) | Trainer: Stanislav Daniel, Team Leader for Complementary Education Centers, REF Network
The capacity-building component of the event was specifically tailored to meet the needs of each group of implementing partners. This particular session was designed for those engaged in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Primary (PRI) education levels. The session focused on exploring key concepts that position early education as the foundation for long-term change, including the “whole child” approach, the role of “strategic cynics,” and the vision of “ethical utopians.” A central part of the discussion was also dedicated to the rationale behind REF’s Complementary Education Centers, which serve as a cornerstone of REF’s new strategy and intervention pillars.
Skill Up! Youth Skills for Real Opportunities (SEC & TER) | Trainer: Marina Savkovic, Team Leader for Skills and Employment, REF
This part of the event focused on exploring the pathways to adequate employment and the tools and processes that support a smoother transition from education to the labor market. Participants discussed both the challenges and good practices, highlighting approaches that empower youth through relevant experiences such as mentorships, internships, and other opportunities to build practical skills and knowledge.
Lead Up! Empowering Youth Through Leadership Mentorship (SEC & TER) | Trainer: Alexandru Zamfir, Project Coordinator, Roma Leadership Program, REF Romania
During the session, partners involved in secondary and tertiary educational levels had the opportunity to learn about the approach developed through the Roma Leadership Program, initiated by the Roma Foundation for Europe Network. This program brings together the capacities, expertise, and know-how of five major organizations – Roma Education Fund, European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), Roma for Democracy, Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI) and Roma Foundation for Europe – with the aim of equipping Roma leaders with the skills, knowledge, and vision necessary to build resilient Roma communities across Europe.
Field Visit to Šuto Orizari: Learning From Community Realities
The event concluded with a field visit to Šuto Orizari (Shutka), one of the largest and most culturally vibrant Roma municipalities in the Balkans. During the visit, participants toured local schools and met with the municipal leader, Mr. Dudush Kurto, Mayor of the district, gaining firsthand insights into community-led initiatives in education, social inclusion, and youth development. For many attendees, this experience was one of the most impactful elements of the program, providing an authentic understanding of both the enduring challenges faced by Roma residents and the resilient solutions emerging from within the community.
Reflections From Participants:
The regional gathering sparked deep conversations, new collaborations, and renewed motivation across the network. Several participants shared their impressions:
Monica Călin, RARE Project Manager and Education Programs Director, REF Romania
“The regional event held in Skopje brought together dedicated partners from across the region in a powerful space for learning, reflection, and collective growth. Over two days, participants engaged in meaningful exchanges on results, challenges, and successful approaches, while strengthening their capacity to support Roma children and youth through high-quality educational interventions. A highlight of the event was the field visit to Shuto Orizari, where participants visited local schools and took part in a dialogue with the municipality leadership. This experience offered an authentic look into community realities and showcased inspiring local efforts that can inform and inspire our work across the region.
The event concluded with renewed motivation, deeper regional connection, and a shared commitment to advancing impactful and sustainable practices in the final year of the project. I am truly glad we had the opportunity to reconnect in person and create a genuine networking space where ideas, experiences, and inspiration could flow naturally.”
Draženko Čivčić and Nedžad Jusić, EuroRom, Bosnia and Herzegovina
“On behalf of the EuroRom team, we are thankful for the opportunity to meet colleagues from other countries, share experiences on Roma situations and project implementation. The capacity-building sessions supported interactivity, teamwork and also fun. Trainers kept participants focused, enabling real learning. We also appreciate the major effort invested in the logistics of this event.”
Emiliano Aliu, Roma Versitas Albania
“I joined this regional gathering to take an honest look at what’s working, what’s not, and what we need to strengthen as we move into the next phase of the possible RARE project and REF’s new strategy. Over two days, I exchanged ideas with colleagues, learned from their experiences, and aligned on clearer priorities for supporting Roma youth. The visit to Shuto Orizari grounded everything in real community realities and reminded me why this work matters. I also learned more about the Roma Leadership Program, which is cultivating the next generation of Roma leaders and empowering young people to drive change within their communities.”
Hatice Çetinkaya – Sıfır Ayrımcılık Derneği (ZDA)- Türkiye
“It was truly a pleasure to meet the project team and all stakeholders in person as we enter the third year of this meaningful initiative. Learning from the experiences of other countries was incredibly enriching. We are also deeply grateful for the neighborhood visit and the meeting with the mayor. The organization was outstanding in every detail. Thank you for everything.”
Orhan Butić, VoRAE, Kosovo
“The two-day workshop was an extremely valuable experience for our team. Bringing together partners from eight countries created a strong platform for mutual learning, knowledge exchange, and a deeper understanding of our shared goals in education, inclusion, and empowerment of Roma communities.
The sessions dedicated to gender equality, employment, and secondary education were particularly impactful, and the newly introduced Roma Leadership Program is highly relevant and timely.
The study visit to Šuto Orizari enriched the workshop with insight into successful local practices. We return with a clearer vision, stronger partnerships, and renewed energy to enhance our programs in collaboration with REF.”
Avni Mustafa, Roma Versitas Kosovo
“It was a pleasure to take part in the regional event, which gathered experts and implementing partner organizations to explore effective practices in education and employment for Roma communities. The well-structured agenda provided meaningful insights across sectors, from early childhood to youth leadership.
The discussions, group sessions, and field visit to Šutka were especially valuable for understanding practical solutions and regional trends. I commend REF for the excellent organization and its strong leadership within the RARE Phase II project. This gathering reaffirmed the importance of cooperation among institutions, civil society, and communities.”
Vladimir Tasić, Center for Your Integration, Serbia
“We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to participate in your event in Skopje. It was a true pleasure to meet colleagues from other countries involved in the RARE project. The sessions organized by your team were diverse, engaging, and valuable for our ongoing professional development, enriched further by the insights of participants from various backgrounds. Equally meaningful was the time spent with your team and fellow participants outside the formal sessions. These moments allowed us to connect on a personal level, hear their stories, and gain a deeper understanding of life in their communities. We were warmly welcomed by everyone, and we look forward to reconnecting with them at future events.”
Enkelejda Bakia, Save the Children, Albania
“The most meaningful part of the event for me was the outdoor activity, the field visit to the kindergarten/ learning center and the meeting with the mayor, where I witnessed the remarkable effort and dedication invested in ensuring the best for the community. Furthermore, as I have only recently started in this position, participating in this event was highly valuable for me. It provided an excellent opportunity to learn through the exchange of experiences, lessons learned, and the capacity-building sessions offered during the event.”
Dragan Gračanin, CRI Serbia
„On behalf of the Center for Roma Integration Valjevo, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire RARE project team and the Roma Education Fund for the excellently designed and implemented regional training held in Skopje, which was of multiple benefit to our team. The two-day programme was extremely valuable, enabling us to reflect on the implementation so far and jointly plan the third year of the project, while at the same time deepening our understanding of gender-sensitive approaches, the empowerment of Roma girls, the strengthening of educational outcomes, and the development of life and employability skills among Roma youth. Particularly useful were the practical sessions, peer exchange, and opportunities to learn from the experience of colleagues from across the region, which helped us better understand what works in supporting Roma students along the entire educational pathway. The knowledge, tools, and inspiration gained through this training will directly contribute to improving the quality and impact of our activities with Roma pupils, youth, and families in Serbia, and will support us in further developing inclusive, evidence-based programmes in the fields of education, employment, and community empowerment.”
Kristijan Angelkov, Roma Versitas Skopje, Macedonia
„First and foremost, we really appreciated the excellent organization by the REF team. It was also very nice to meet so many people with whom we have been working toward the same goal over the past two years, yet had never met in person. What impressed me the most was the session with Alex and the visit to the “Brothers Ramiz and Hamid” school.”
The exchanges and partnerships strengthened during these two days will continue to shape impactful educational and employment pathways for Roma children and youth across the region.
REF extends its gratitude to all trainers, partners, and participants for their valuable contributions and looks forward to building on these shared efforts toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
