Roma Education Fund Strengthens Alumni and Educators Networks in Albania and Kosovo
September 2025 – Redjepali Chupi, Team Leader for the Roma Human Capital Strategic Objective, conducted a series of key meetings on 12 and 13 September 2025 in Albania and Kosovo, aimed at reinforcing Roma empowerment through education, leadership, and community-driven initiatives.
Albania – 12 September 2025
In Tirana, Mr. Chupi started his tour by meeting Mrs. Ina Majko, Vice Minister of Health and Social Protection in the current Government and a former beneficiary of a Roma Education Fund (REF) scholarship program, now a proud REF alumna. During the meeting, Mr. Chupi presented REF’s strategic approach to empowering Roma Human Capital, emphasizing education, leadership, and community-driven programs. Mrs. Majko expressed her enthusiasm to support REF’s mission in building Roma resilient community trough education and collaborate on advancing opportunities as Roma Education Fund’s alumni.
In the afternoon Mr. Chupi continued his visit by meeting REF’s alumni and Roma educators to discuss their further engagement and contribution in further advancement of the Roma community trough expansion of the alumni network and creating a new network of Roma educators.
Kosovo – 13 September 2025
On 13 September, Mr. Chupi continued his visits in Kosovo, starting in Marash, Prizren. The meeting was Kosovo – 13 September 2025
On 13 September, the field visit continued in Kosovo, Prizren meeting the alumni’s. The discussion with the alumni’s was focused on empowering future Roma leaders through mentorship and professional development, knowledge sharing and collaboration among them, community engagement and strengthening the cross-border connections across REF’s and Roma Foundation For Europe’s network.
Later the same day, the REF Educators Network Meeting took place in Prishtina, gathering Roma educators encouraging to see themselves not just as classroom professionals but as leaders and advocates capable of influencing policies and inspiring students trough new innovative and digital methodologies implemented by REF trough the Complementary Educational Centers. The meetings transitioned into open discussions, where participants shared experiences, successes, and challenges faced by Roma students, including socio-economic barriers and stereotypes. The conversations highlighted educators’ and alumni’s creativity, determination, and commitment to finding solutions and promoting REF’s new mission.
The Roma Education Fund has invested more than 30 million euros in the past for over 18.000 scholarships awarded to more than 8.000 Roma tertiary students in the region of Sout-Eastern Europe. This potential needs to be organized, coordinated and capitalized in further advancement of the Roma community in future.
“The main objective of the Human Capital Pillar in REF’s new strategy is to strengthen the capacity, leadership and professional growth of Roma individuals by investing in education, skills development and community networks, fostering a new generation of empowered Roma leaders who drive sustainable social, economical and political changes withing and outside the community”. Redjepali Chupi, Team Leader for the Roma Human Capital Strategic Objective
Next field visits will continue in North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Romania.
