Roma High School Students Connect and Grow at Regional RARE Event in Tuzla
TUZLA, Bosnia and Herzegovina – On June 24th, 40 Roma high school students from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo gathered in Tuzla for a regional youth workshop that celebrated diversity, empowerment, and the transformative power of education.
The event was held under the EU-funded Regional Action for Roma Education (RARE) – Phase II, and was hosted by EUROROM (Bosnia and Herzegovina) with VORAE (Kosovo) as the visiting organization. The initiative is part of REF’s strategic commitment to equity and quality in education, a broader effort to increase educational support and opportunities for Roma youth across the Western Balkans and Turkey.
The workshop was officially opened by our colleague from REF Serbia, Natasa Markovska, Project Officer of the DG ENEST project, who welcomed the students and emphasized the importance of coming together across borders to share experiences.
“When young Roma from different communities unite and learn from one another, they lay the groundwork for meaningful, lasting change.” – Natasa Markovska.
Led by trainer Ismet Sokoljanin from the Tuzla Community Foundation, the workshop engaged students in interactive sessions designed to enhance communication skills, self-confidence, and critical thinking. Laughter filled the room during ice-breakers and team-building games, setting the tone for meaningful interactions and lasting friendships.
A cultural exchange activity challenged stereotypes and revealed common customs, encouraging mutual understanding and respect.
Education as a Path to Opportunity
The most impactful moment of the day came during the “Step Forward” exercise. Students were assigned real-world roles—such as an unemployed homemaker, an unskilled worker, or an international truck driver without language skills. As the exercise unfolded, the growing physical space between participants served as a powerful metaphor for the unequal access to life opportunities.
This compelling demonstration illustrated that education is a key driver in creating broader possibilities and enabling individuals to shape their own futures, truly embodying our commitment to Building Resilient Roma Communities through Education.
Building Bridges Across Borders
By the end of the day, students left with more than just new skills—they carried with them a renewed belief in their potential and in the role that education plays in unlocking it.
This regional gathering served as an important reminder that when young people are given space to connect, reflect, and grow, they become agents of change in their communities.
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 Roma Education Fund Romania and Roma Education Fund Serbia.
