Roma Education Fund

More than 250 Roma Students Supported Through RARE II Project in Montenegro

Posted on June 5, 2026 by admin3

Podgorica, Montenegro – June 2, 2026 | The Roma Education Fund (REF) participated in the closing event of activities implemented in Montenegro by HELP Montenegro and the Parents Association under the project EU Regional Action for Roma Education: Increased Education Support and Opportunities for Roma Students in the Western Balkans and Türkiye (RARE) Phase II (RARE II). Funded by the European Union through Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) and implemented by the Roma Education Fund Serbia and Romania, the project supports increased educational opportunities and inclusion for Roma students across the Western Balkans and Türkiye.

Over the past two academic years, the project has provided comprehensive educational support to more than 250 Roma children and young people across Montenegro. Through scholarships, learning materials, paid internship opportunities, and the support of local volunteers, facilitators, and educators, the initiative helped strengthen learning outcomes, improve literacy, and support the development of essential skills for educational and professional success.

The closing event, held at the European House in Podgorica, brought together representatives of public institutions, civil society organizations, educators, and development partners committed to advancing the educational inclusion of Roma children and youth in Montenegro. The gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on the project’s achievements, share lessons learned, and discuss ways to sustain and further strengthen support mechanisms for Roma students within the education system.

Addressing participants at the event, Ms. Mladenka Tešić, representative of the European Union Delegation to Montenegro, emphasized the importance of ensuring the sustainability of successful interventions through their integration into public systems and policies. She noted that lasting progress depends on creating institutional mechanisms capable of supporting Roma and Egyptian children and youth throughout their educational journey.

Speaking on behalf of the Roma Education Fund, Ana Duraki highlighted the commitment of local partners and frontline practitioners whose work made these results possible.

“Anyone who has had the opportunity to follow the development of this project in Montenegro over the past years can clearly see that the results we discussed today were achieved through the extraordinary dedication of the people working on the ground. Their continuous efforts supported the education of more than 250 Roma children and helped address their needs throughout the school year. Both the Roma Education Fund and the European Commission remain committed to supporting the education and employability of Roma communities in Montenegro, and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership and building on these achievements in the years ahead.”

Ahead of the closing event, members of the project’s Working Group met to review progress, discuss challenges, and identify opportunities for strengthening the educational inclusion of Roma children in Montenegro. Bringing together representatives of public institutions and other relevant stakeholders, the discussion focused on the institutionalization of services and support mechanisms that have proven effective in supporting Roma students, with the goal of ensuring their long-term sustainability within the public education system.

The experience in Montenegro demonstrates that meaningful educational inclusion requires coordinated action between institutions, civil society, local communities, and development partners. However, educational inclusion cannot be viewed as an end in itself. As highlighted in REF’s recent regional policy analysis, Bridging Education and Employment: A Comprehensive Policy Analysis of VET Pathways for Roma Youth in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, Roma youth continue to face significant barriers when transitioning from education to employment, despite progress in access to education. The study, which examined seven countries across the region, underscores the need for integrated approaches that connect educational support, skills development, and labour market opportunities, while strengthening the systems that enable Roma young people to successfully navigate this pathway. The Roma Education Fund remains committed to advancing both educational achievement and employability, supporting Roma children and youth build the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in the future

Unlocking Roma Economic Potential | REF Intensifies Employment Partnerships across Serbia

Posted on June 4, 2026 by admin3

Representatives of public institutions, employers, trade unions, and civil society gathered on June 3rd at the Belgrade City Assembly for a roundtable dedicated to one of the most important challenges facing the labour market: improving employment opportunities for jobseekers facing multiple barriers to labour market participation, including Roma women and men.

The event was organized by Roma Education Fund Serbia in cooperation with the Socio-Economic Council of the City of Belgrade, the National Employment Service, Belgrade Branch, and the Centre for Social Work, bringing together key stakeholders committed to creating a more inclusive and responsive labour market.

The roundtable was opened by Srđan Srbljanović, Assistant Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Igor Jovanović, Deputy President of the Belgrade City Assembly, Violeta Filip, Member of the Belgrade City Council, and Marijana Rakić, Public Relations Officer at Roma Education Fund.

Addressing participants, Srđan Srbljanović emphasized the importance of coordinated action among institutions, employers, and civil society in tackling barriers to employment.

“Access to the labour market remains challenging for certain vulnerable groups. The barriers they face may be economic, social, or educational in nature, but they can also stem from prejudice and discrimination. This is why it is essential for institutions, local governments, employment services, employers, trade unions, and civil society organizations to work together.”

Speaking about the role of the city in creating opportunities for all citizens, Igor Jovanović highlighted that sustainable development must go hand in hand with inclusion.

“Belgrade is a city that continues to grow and attract investment, but our success will not be measured solely by the number of investments or new developments. It will also be measured by how well we provide opportunities to those who need them the most.”

For REF, this discussion forms part of a broader effort to strengthen pathways between education, skills development, and employment. Through its strategic pillar Skills & Employment, the organization works to connect Roma communities, institutions, employers, and education providers around a shared objective: creating sustainable opportunities for economic participation and long-term prosperity for Roma communties. 

“For years, the Roma Education Fund has been actively building bridges between Roma communities, the education system, the labour market, and institutions. Today’s meeting is an opportunity to better understand the needs of employers and the labour market, while jointly contributing to the development of qualified professionals who are prepared to meet those needs,” said Marijana Rakić.

The discussion continued with a panel moderated by Marina Savković, Director of REF’s Skills and Employment Programs, featuring representatives of institutions and organizations that play a key role in shaping labour market opportunities and employment policies.

Panelists included Željka Zelenović Vuković, Head of the Employer Relations Department at the National Employment Service – Belgrade Branch, Svetlana Budimčević, Acting Director of the Serbian Employers’ Union, Dragan Todorović, President of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Belgrade, and Nemanja Antonijević, Head of the Surčin Department of the Centre for Social Work.

The Belgrade roundtable also builds on a series of recent initiatives through which REF has intensified its activities across Serbia under the Skills & Employment pillar.

In May, REF and the Serbian Employers Association launched a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Roma workforce participation through vocational training, workforce preparation, employment mediation, mentorship, and long-term job retention support. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating practical employer-driven pathways into the labour market while responding to growing workforce needs across the country. REF has also expanded cooperation with municipalities, employers, and employment services. In Kragujevac, recent employment initiatives demonstrated the value of coordinated action, connecting jobseekers, institutions, and employers while creating new opportunities for skills development and workforce integration.

Together, these efforts contribute to a larger vision. Across Serbia and the Western Balkans, employers face labour shortages, demographic decline, and increasing demand for skilled workers. At the same time, Roma communities represent one of the youngest and most underutilized sources of talent in the region.

REF believes that Roma inclusion is a strategic investment in economic growth, competitiveness, and resilience. Unlocking Roma economic potential requires more than individual projects. It requires systems that connect education, skills, employers, institutions, and communities in ways that create lasting opportunities.

The discussion in Belgrade represents another important step in REF’s efforts to strengthen Roma participation in the labour market. By bringing together decision-makers, employers, employment services, trade unions, and civil society organizations, the event reinforced a shared commitment to creating practical pathways that connect Roma talent with employment opportunities.

We extend our sincere thanks to all participants for their openness, expertise, and commitment to working together.

Unlocking Roma Economic Potential Through a New Employment Partnership in Kragujevac, Serbia

Posted on June 2, 2026 by admin2

On May 28, the REF Serbia took an important step toward strengthening pathways to employment and economic inclusion in Serbia through the signing of a cooperation agreement with the City of Kragujevac, the National Employment Service , Kragujevac Branch, and ten local employers. The partnership brings together public institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations in a shared effort to expand employment opportunities and strengthen labor market inclusion.

This initiative reflects a broader vision that guides REF’s work across the Western Balkans. Roma communities represent one of the largest reservoirs of untapped talent and economic potential in the region. At a time when countries are facing labor shortages, demographic decline, and growing demand for skilled workers, investing in Roma education, skills development, and employment is a strategic economic imperative. Unlocking Roma talent means expanding the workforce, addressing skills gaps, strengthening local economies, and supporting more sustainable and competitive growth.

Building on its longstanding cooperation with the City of Kragujevac, REF joined local institutions and employers in a commitment to create stronger connections between education, skills development, and employment. The agreement establishes a framework for long-term collaboration aimed at developing sustainable mechanisms that respond both to the needs of jobseekers and to the evolving demands of the labor market.

By bringing together public authorities, employment services, employers, and civil society, the initiative seeks to transform inclusion from an aspiration into a practical and measurable outcome. It also reflects a growing recognition that economic inclusion requires coordinated action across sectors and long-term investment in human capital.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Gordana Damnjanović, Assistant Mayor for Health and Social Protection, Human and Minority Rights, emphasized the importance of joint action in creating employment opportunities for all citizens. She highlighted the need for cooperation that promotes equal access to employment while responding effectively to ongoing changes in the labor market.

Speaking on behalf of REF, Dragana Rajić, Program Director, stressed the importance of cross-sector partnerships and community-centered approaches. She noted that REF’s new strategic direction places a strong focus on connecting institutions, employers, and civil society actors in order to develop practical solutions that expand employment opportunities for Roma and strengthen labor market participation.

Across the Western Balkans, labor shortages and demographic trends are creating increasing pressure on employers and economies alike. Investing in Roma education, skills, and employability represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen labor markets, increase economic participation, and unlock the potential of a generation of future professionals, entrepreneurs, and workers.

The agreement signed in Kragujevac marks an important step toward that goal. Through partnerships that connect education to employment, REF will continue working alongside institutions and employers to create new opportunities for economic participation, independence, and shared prosperity across the Western Balkans.

REF Romania Continues Support for Roma Refugee Children with UNHCR Assistance

Posted on May 28, 2026 by admin3

Roma Education Fund Romania announces the continuation of activities at the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) Center dedicated to Roma refugees from Ukraine. The new phase of implementation is made possible through the financial support of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – UNHCR, building on the foundation laid when the center was first established in Bucharest in 2023 with initial financing from the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB).

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, many Roma refugee families arriving in Romania have encountered language barriers, interrupted education, and significant challenges integrating into Romanian educational and social systems. The OSS Center was created as a direct response to these compounding difficulties, an integrated support space designed to deliver both immediate humanitarian assistance and long-term pathways to educational inclusion.

By the end of 2025, the OSS Center had already achieved significant results, supporting more than 300 children and assisting over 100 families through an integrated package of educational and social inclusion services. Throughout the implementation period, the center organized more than 1,500 counselling sessions and delivered approximately 7,000 educational activities, while also engaging over 250 children in summer camps and enrolling more than 100 children in IT and digital skills courses designed to strengthen digital literacy and access to future educational opportunities.

“What has been most meaningful for us is that both the children and the educators who were involved in the Center until the end of 2025 chose to remain connected to this space voluntarily. The children felt a strong need to see one another, to belong, and to continue learning and growing together. They consistently returned to the Center because it had become a place of safety, trust, and shared experiences. The continuation of the project in 2026 comes at a crucial and very timely moment, as the children increasingly see the Center as their second home, a place where they feel supported, valued, and encouraged to develop academically, emotionally, and socially” – Ioana Dorneanu, national coordinator of the Complementary Education Centers.

Through the continuation of the project in 2026, refugee children will continue to benefit from Romanian language classes, digital skills and IT education, academic support and homework assistance, as well as creative workshops and non-formal educational activities designed to encourage participation, learning, and self-expression. The program will also include socio-emotional development sessions and community integration activities aimed at strengthening wellbeing, confidence, social connection, and the children’s ability to navigate their new educational and social environment.

The program also includes the provision of educational materials and operational support necessary to maintain the OSS Center as a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for refugee children and their families. Digital skills courses are continuing in partnership with Accenture Romania, contributing to reducing the digital divide affecting refugee children and expanding access to modern educational opportunities, digital literacy, and future-oriented skills.

By the end of the nine-month implementation period, the project aims to improve Romanian language proficiency, school participation and performance, digital competencies, socio-emotional wellbeing, and the broader social integration of Roma refugee children into the local community.

Roma Education Fund remains committed to ensuring equal access to education, protection, participation, and inclusion for vulnerable refugee children affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

REF launches “GreenTech Teaching Champions” to connect Education, Employment and Leadership in Slovakia’s Green Transition

Posted on March 31, 2026 by admin3

PRESS RELEASE | Bratislava, Slovakia, March 31st, 2026

Roma Education Fund (REF) announces the launch of the “GreenTech Teaching Champions” project, a four-year initiative focused on aligning education with labour market opportunities and strengthening long-term community resilience in Slovakia. Supported by the Villum Foundation, the project has a total budget of approximately €1.13 million. The project is implemented with the advisory support of Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI Slovakia) team, leveraging their expertise in green economy business development and entrepreneurship.

Implemented gradually in the regions of Prešov, and later in Košice, and Banská Bystrica, the project responds to a structural challenge across Europe: education systems continue to produce learning outcomes that are insufficiently connected to real economic opportunities, particularly for young people from marginalized Roma communities. “GreenTech Teaching Champions” addresses this gap through a systemic approach that connects learning, employment, and long-term leadership.

“The green transition requires every talent available, including those often overlooked. Ultimately, we want to put Roma students at the forefront of technological innovation, far from the image of cheap labourers. This project also marks a strategic evolution for REF. We are moving beyond individual support or local interventions to work directly with the system, ensuring that inclusive pedagogy and green tech expertise become permanent features of vocational education,” says Stanislav Daniel, director of REF Slovakia.

The project places teachers at the centre of transformation. Through a newly established GreenTech Hub in Prešov, complemented by satellite labs in Košice and Banská Bystrica in later phase of the project, vocational teachers will co-develop and complete accredited training modules in green technologies (renewable energy and IoT), inclusive pedagogy, and business and entrepreneurial skills. This is not only about upgrading technical knowledge. It is about redefining how education functions, embedding inclusion, critical thinking, and real-world applicability into everyday teaching practice.

The initiative also establishes a direct link between education and the labour market. Employers are integrated into a continuous quality assurance loop, ensuring that the skills developed in classrooms reflect real economic demand. This creates a clear pathway from training to employment, positioning students, particularly those from Roma communities, as active participants in the green economy transition.

At the same time, the project is designed to generate long-term system impact. A core group of “Teaching Champions” will be trained to transfer knowledge across institutions, while the accreditation of the developed modules, particularly in inclusive pedagogy, anchors these approaches within Slovakia’s national teacher training system. This ensures that impact extends beyond the project itself and becomes embedded in public structures.

REF Slovakia leads the implementation of the project, coordinating partners and stakeholders across institutional levels, including self-governing regions, national authorities, universities, and private sector actors.

Through this initiative, REF advances its strategic vision of building resilient Roma communities through education by moving beyond access towards competence, economic participation, and leadership. “GreenTech Teaching Champions” is not only a project. It is a model for how education systems can evolve: from delivering knowledge to enabling agency, economic validation, and long-term societal impact.

Strengthening Roma Youth Engagement Through Interactive Learning: Training in Pristina on REF’s Practical Guide

Posted on March 27, 2026 by admin2

Prishtina, March 25, 2026 – The Roma Education Fund (REF) organized two trainings in Kosovo*, focused on the presentation and practical use of the Interactive Practical Guide on Roma Youth Empowerment and Leadership, developed within the framework of the project EU Regional Action for Roma Education: Increased Education Support and Opportunities for Roma Students in the Western Balkans and Turkey (RARE II), funded by the European Commission (DG ENEST).

The Guide, titled “Practical Guide for Roma Youth Empowerment and Leadership – How to Work with Roma Youth to Bring Their Potential?”, was developed by Tanja Đorđević, Jovana Trbojević Jocić, and Mirjana Beara Benjak. It represents a comprehensive and interactive digital resource designed to support those working with Roma youth through mentoring, tutoring, and community-based approaches.

The first training session gathered Roma youth in tertiary education and was officially opened by Nataša Markovska, REF’s coordinator for secondary and tertiary education and access to employment within the project, who emphasized the importance of investing in Roma youth not only as beneficiaries, but as future leaders, changemakers, and active contributors to their communities. She highlighted that REF’s Guide is more than a learning resource, it is a tool to support young Roma in building confidence, strengthening their identity, and developing leadership skills needed to navigate education, employment, and civic life, encouraging participants to see themselves as agents of change shaping both their own futures and those of their communities.

Both training sessions were facilitated by our colleague Edis Galushi, country facilitator in Kosovo*. The first session, engaging Roma youth in tertiary education, focused on the module on Roma identity, encouraging participants to reflect on self-awareness, cultural pride, and resilience, and to explore how identity shapes their educational and professional pathways.

The second session brought together Roma youth in secondary education, alongside mentors working with Roma youth. Building on the identity component, it introduced mentoring, tutoring, and coaching approaches, with a focus on practical tools to support young people during key educational transitions.

Taken together, the sessions underscored that sustainable impact comes from pairing identity development with structured support systems, creating the conditions for Roma youth to grow into confident, engaged, and future-oriented actors.

Reflecting on the purpose of the Guide, one of its authors, Tanja Đorđević, emphasized that empowering Roma youth requires more than access to education. It requires creating spaces where young people can build confidence, explore their identity, and develop the skills needed to actively shape their futures. This perspective closely echoes the message shared during the opening of the training, underlining a common focus on identity, agency, and leadership as key elements of youth empowerment.

„Investing in Roma youth is one of the most sustainable pathways to building inclusive and resilient communities. Supported by the European Commission through DG ENEST, this initiative advances the empowerment of Roma youth by complementing access to education with concrete opportunities for young people to build confidence, strengthen their identity, and develop essential leadership skills. By creating such opportunities, the project contributes to a supportive climate in which Roma youth can thrive, actively shape their own futures, and become drivers of positive change within their communities and wider society.” – Monica Călin, Project Manager and Programs Director in REF Romania.

These training is part of a coordinated series of eight regional events, most of them delivered within the same week, designed to accelerate impact at scale. Positioned within the future of work agenda, these initiatives move beyond standalone interventions and contribute to building functional pathways that connect skills, identity, and opportunity. Through this approach, REF is advancing innovative, inclusive, and community-anchored models that equip Roma youth not only to realize their potential, but to actively participate in and shape the evolving labour market, driving more resilient, competitive, and equitable societies.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence

Apel pentru selecția unui consultant tehnic senior Platformă de e-learning

Posted on February 20, 2026 by admin3

Fundația Roma Education Fund România pregătește lansarea, în a doua jumătate a anului 2026, a unei platforme de e-learning cu funcționalități extinse de hub educațional și colaborativ, orientată spre promovarea educației sociale, dialogului intercultural și combaterii discriminării.

Platforma va integra resurse educaționale digitale, instrumente interactive, funcționalități colaborative și componente asistate de inteligență artificială. Ne propunem dezvoltarea unei arhitecturi tehnologice robuste și scalabile, care să asigure performanță, securitate și posibilitatea de extindere modulară, răspunzând nevoilor unor categorii diverse de utilizatori.

Platforma este concepută ca infrastructură educațională digitală cu relevanță strategică. Ea va susține procese de învățare și colaborare la nivel național și regional și va permite extinderea și adaptarea ulterioară. Din acest motiv, definirea arhitecturii și a cadrului tehnic reprezintă o etapă critică în dezvoltarea proiectului.

Pentru această etapă, căutăm un consultant tehnic senior care să colaboreze cu echipa REF România și să contribuie la definirea arhitecturii, standardelor tehnice și direcției tehnologice a platformei.

Rolul consultantului

Consultantul va avea un rol strategic și operațional în definirea arhitecturii și a cadrului tehnic al platformei și va contribui la:

• analizarea conceptului educațional și transpunerea acestuia în cerințe funcționale clare
• definirea arhitecturii aplicaționale și a modelului tehnologic al platformei
• elaborarea specificațiilor tehnice complete (cerințe funcționale și nefuncționale)
• structurarea cerințelor privind performanța, securitatea cibernetică, protecția datelor, scalabilitatea și interoperabilitatea
• stabilirea standardelor tehnice și a principiilor care vor ghida dezvoltarea ulterioară
• oferirea de expertiză tehnică în procesul de selecție, dezvoltare și validare a soluției finale

Consultantul va acționa ca arhitect tehnic al proiectului în faza de design și fundamentare, contribuind direct la definirea direcției tehnologice și la asigurarea coerenței arhitecturale a inițiativei.

Profilul căutat

Ne interesează experiența demonstrabilă și portofoliul relevant.

Căutăm un profesionist cu:

– experiență solidă în dezvoltarea și arhitectura platformelor de e-learning
– experiență în redactarea specificațiilor tehnice pentru soluții digitale complexe
– experiență în integrarea funcționalităților interactive și/sau a soluțiilor asistate de AI (avantaj)
– capacitatea de a lucra colaborativ cu o echipă multidisciplinară și de a traduce obiective strategice în cerințe tehnice clare

Diplomele nu reprezintă criteriu de selecție. Relevanța proiectelor livrate și capacitatea de a gândi arhitectural sunt esențiale.

Durata contractului de consultanță – 140 de ore, în perioada martie–aprilie 2026, cu posibilitatea extinderii colaborării în funcție de evoluția proiectului.

Candidații sunt invitați să transmită la recrutare@roma.education, următoarele documente:

1. CV
2. portofoliu relevant
3. 3 referințe profesionale

Subiect: Consultant tehnic senior – Platformă e-learning

Termen limită pentru înscriere: 10 martie 2026, ora 23:59.

Doar candidații selectați vor fi invitați la interviu.

DESPRE NOI

Fundația Roma Education Fund (REF) este o organizație internațională fondată în 2005 de către Banca Mondială și Open Society Foundations. În cei 20 de ani de activitate, rețeaua REF a investit peste 120 de milioane de euro în proiecte educaționale de calitate, programe de care au beneficiat peste 100.000 de romi de toate vârstele, din 16 țări.

În concordanță cu noua sa misiune strategică, echipele Fundației din cele patru țări în care activează – România, Slovacia, Serbia și Macedonia de Nord – colaborează strâns cu comunitățile rome pentru a atinge trei obiective strategice principale: (1) Dezvoltarea de modele educaționale complementare, menite să crească și să consolideze reziliența comunităților rome; (2) Crearea de programe de angajare eficiente pentru romi, adaptate la evoluția piețelor muncii; (3) Investiții țintite în educație și leadership, cu scopul de a dezvolta capitalul uman în rândul populației rome.

NOTĂ – Fundația Roma Education Fund promovează principiile egalității de șanse și diversității în procesul de recrutare. Sunt încurajate să aplice toate persoanele care împărtășesc valorile noastre și care îndeplinesc cerințele postului, indiferent de etnie, gen sau statut social. În mod particular, sunt încurajate aplicațiile din partea persoanelor care se identifică drept romi, inclusiv ale femeilor rome și ale foștilor beneficiari ai programelor REF.

Important – Din cauza numărului mare de înscrieri, din păcate, REF nu are posibilitatea de a răspunde individual fiecărui candidat. Vă rugăm să rețineți că doar persoanele selectate pe lista scurtă vor fi contactate pentru un prim interviu și un test de evaluare.  Apreciem interesul tuturor celor care aleg să aplice și vă asigurăm că fiecare candidatură va fi analizată cu atenție.

A Generation on Hold

Posted on February 5, 2026 by admin2

Romania has a peculiar talent for turning structural problems into moral debates with no practical solutions. This is also the case with the NEET youth, those who are not in education, employment, or training. For years, Romania has ranked first in the European Union in terms of the share of NEET young people: nearly one in five Romanian youth aged 15–29 are in this situation, far above the EU average, writes the well-known Roma activist Ciprian Necula in an opinion piece for the Romanian online magazine HotNews.

Dr. Ciprian Necula is the Executive President of the Board of the Roma Education Fund.

According to official data, the NEET rate among young people aged 20–24 consistently exceeds 20%, compared to a European average of around 11%. Yet, in a characteristically local manner, statistics often cease to affect us; they become cold, dehumanized numbers, even though they describe a generation caught between limited opportunities and structural barriers.

A chronic symptom for Roma youth

“NEET” is not an identity but a collective effect: underperforming schools in vulnerable areas, underfunded social services, an almost nonexistent transition between education and the labour market, and an economy that fails to include enough young people.

For Roma youth, this symptom becomes chronic. They often grow up in communities with poor infrastructure, weak schools, and experiences of discrimination that erode their trust in institutions. The result is a well-known vicious circle: school dropout, insufficient qualifications, informal work or unemployment, and the transmission of vulnerability to the next generation.

But what if we changed our lens? What if, instead of viewing Roma people only through the prism of deficit, we saw them as an opportunity? A Romania that is ageing and losing its workforce cannot afford to leave tens of thousands of young people on the margins. Inclusion is not charity; it should be an economic strategy.

“We are not talking about ‘saving’ Roma youth”

In this direction, the approach promoted by the Roma Education Fund and the Roma Foundation for Europe is essential: investing in the education and skills of Roma people as an investment in Europe’s future. Support for early education, mentoring, and school-to-work transitions shows that when barriers are reduced, potential can be transformed into performance.

Civil society has demonstrated that solutions exist: community centres, scholarships for students, “second chance” programmes, school mediation, mentoring, and employment support. The problem is that these initiatives too often remain islands of success, without systemic support.

This is why we need not confrontation, but genuine cooperation between government, local authorities, the business sector, civil society, and Roma communities. This should mean: quality early education in vulnerable areas, real school-to-work transitions through paid apprenticeships, social services present in communities, and professional, respected Roma mediators.

We are not talking about “saving” Roma youth, but about providing them with fair conditions to contribute. If they lose, we all lose.

Romania can continue to produce alarming statistics. Or it can transform this NEET generation, currently waiting for coherent policies and real cooperation, into the generation of the future.

This op-ed was originally published in Romanian by the online magazine HotNews.ro. Link here

Strong Beginnings – Why Early Childhood Education Matters for Roma Inclusion 

Posted on by admin3

Early Childhood Education (ECD) is one of the most decisive stages for breaking cycles of exclusion. Building on this understanding, the Roma Education Fund (REF) is launching Strong Beginnings: Nurturing the Potential of Roma Children through Early Education, a practical guidebook designed to support those working most closely with Roma children in their formative years. 

Developed by REF in close collaboration with early childhood education experts from Serbia Mirjana Beara and Vinka Žunjić, the guidebook brings together core principles, applied knowledge, and hands-on methodologies aimed at educators, caregivers, parents, and mentors. Its focus is clear: strengthening early learning, resilience, and well-being at a stage when cognitive, emotional, and social foundations are being laid. 

“Strong Beginnings capture a core insight from complementary education practice: early childhood development is built through everyday relationships, play, and cultural continuity, complementing the institutions. This guidebook offers a practical framework for supporting Roma children in contexts where access to formal early education remains limited. Grounded in play-based learning, family engagement, and respect for Roma identity, it provides realistic tools for educators and caregivers working close to communities. As such, it strengthens school readiness while reinforcing the role of families and local practice in shaping long-term educational outcomes. – Stanislav Daniel, the team leader the Complementary Education Centres Strategic Division within the Roma Education Fund Network.

The publication was created within the framework of the EU Regional Action for Roma Education (RARE II) initiative, Increased Education Support and Opportunities for Roma Students in the Western Balkans and Turkey, funded by the Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST). Targeting children aged 3 to 6, the guidebook aligns with the project’s strategic priority of intervening early, when children begin to engage more actively with their families, communities, and educational institutions. 

To ensure that the guidebook is not only understood in theory but effectively applied in practice, REF is organizing a series of 10 local training events across the Western Balkans and Turkey throughout February, with at least one workshop taking place in each project location. 

The training program was launched in Prizren, Kosovo*, on February 3, led by the Roma Education Fund’s Country Facilitator, Edis Galushil. The workshop brought together parents, teachers, mentors, and other direct and indirect beneficiaries. Participants were introduced to the guidebook’s core methodology, with a strong focus on practical tools and approaches that can be readily applied in their day-to-day work with children. 

At its core, Strong Beginnings promotes simple, adaptable practices that can be easily integrated into daily routines. Through play-based learning, the guidebook supports the development of future-relevant skills while reinforcing cultural identity and self-confidence, elements often overlooked, yet essential for long-term educational success. 

The Roma Education Fund’s Early Childhood Development Officer, Ana Duraki, highlights the importance of investing in practical resources that can be directly applied in everyday work with children. “The project places a strong focus on children aged 3 to 6, and we are pleased to be able to offer a tool that is both simple to use and effective in daily practice. By supporting early learning through hands-on and accessible approaches, this guidebook contributes to building resilience, confidence, and a sense of pride among the youngest members of our Roma community.” 

Framed within a broader effort to build resilience through education, Strong Beginnings reflects a comprehensive, service-based approach that supports Roma children across the full education cycle, from early childhood to tertiary level, with particular attention to key transition points.

Aligned with EU priorities, the initiative promotes gender equality in educational outcomes, strengthens pathways from education to employment, and contributes to long-term systemic change in the region’s education systems, including the commitments undertaken by Western Balkans partners under the Poznań Declaration. Within this framework, early childhood education (ECD) emerges as a strategic priority, responding to persistent barriers faced by Roma children, such as limited access to preschool facilities, low participation rates, insufficient parental support, financial constraints, and uneven quality of services. The Educators and Caregivers Guidebook is designed as a practical response to these challenges, offering adaptable tools, methodologies, and activities developed in cooperation with local stakeholders across seven countries.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

REF România recrutează Manager de Proiect | Termen limită – 18 ianuarie

Posted on January 5, 2026 by admin3

Locație: București || Durata contractului: minimum 24 luni începând cu februarie 2026

Tip program: Full-time || Tip job: Birou, cu deplasări ocazionale (aprox. 20%)

RESPONSABILITĂȚI

• Coordonează integral implementarea proiectului (sau a portofoliului de proiecte alocate), asigurând atingerea obiectivelor, indicatorilor de performanță și rezultatelor asumate la nivel tehnic, financiar și administrativ;

• Planifică, organizează și monitorizează activitățile proiectului, stabilește responsabilitățile în cadrul echipei și se asigură de respectarea termenelor și standardelor de calitate;

• Coordonează și sprijină echipa de implementare, experți, colaboratori și parteneri,  oferind ghidaj operațional și suport în rezolvarea problemelor apărute pe parcursul derulării proiectului;

• Gestionează relația cu partenerii de proiect, autoritatea contractantă și alte instituții relevante, reprezentând Fundația în toate aspectele de management și comunicare aferente proiectului;

• Monitorizează execuția bugetară și respectarea regulilor de eligibilitate a cheltuielilor, în strânsă colaborare cu departamentul financiar al organizației;

• Elaborează rapoartele tehnice și financiare periodice, contribuind la documentarea corectă și completă a progresului proiectului, conform cerințelor finanțatorului;

• Asigură alinierea activităților și rezultatelor proiectului cu strategia organizațională și obiectivele programatice ale Fundației, în colaborare cu directorii de programe și coordonatorii internaționali ai pilonilor strategici;

• Monitorizează riscurile de implementare și propune măsuri corective sau ajustări necesare pentru a menține performanța proiectului;

• Contribuie la vizibilitatea și promovarea proiectului, prin activități de comunicare publică, participarea la evenimente și reprezentarea organizației în contexte externe relevante;

• Respectă principiile de etică, transparență și diversitate promovate de Fundația Roma Education Fund, contribuind la menținerea unui climat de lucru pozitiv, incluziv și colaborativ.

CERINȚE

• Diplomă de licență (studii superioare finalizate);
• Minimum 5 ani experiență generală în implementarea, coordonarea și monitorizarea de proiecte cu finanțare nerambursabilă (de tipul POSDRU/POCU/PEO);
• O bună cunoaștere a limbii engleze (nivel B2)
• Constituie avantaj experiența specifică în proiecte din domeniul educației sau ocupării (în special cele adresate comunităților vulnerabile de romi);
• Experiență în colaborarea cu instituții publice și private.
• Abilități excelente de planificare și organizare;
• Capacitate de leadership și motivare a echipei;
• Comunicare eficientă scrisă și verbală;
• Abilitatea de a gestiona mai multe priorități simultan;
• Atenție la detalii și respectarea termenelor.

CE OFERIM

• Salariu competitiv;
• Oportunități de dezvoltare profesională;
• Posibilitatea de a lucra într-un mediu internațional și intercultural;
• Implicare în proiecte cu impact social real.

APLICĂ ACUM!

Trimite CV-ul și o scrisoare de intenție la adresa recrutare@roma.education, până la data de 18 ianuarie 2026, menționând în subiectul e-mailului: „Aplicație Manager proiect – Numele dvs.”

În scrisoarea de intenție, vă rugăm să răspundeți la urmatoarele intrebari:

• Cum se aliniază experiența dumneavoastră profesională cu cerințele acestui post?
• Cum crezi că experiența și valorile tale pot contribui la misiunea Roma Education Fund?
• Cum abordați coordonarea unei echipe și asigurarea implementării eficiente a activităților și indicatorilor proiectului?

DESPRE NOI

Fundația Roma Education Fund (REF) este o organizație internațională fondată în 2005 de către Banca Mondială și Open Society Foundations. În cei 20 de ani de activitate, rețeaua REF a investit peste 120 de milioane de euro în proiecte educaționale de calitate, programe de care au beneficiat peste 100.000 de romi de toate vârstele, din 16 țări.

În concordanță cu noua sa misiune strategică, echipele Fundației din cele patru țări în care activează – România, Slovacia, Serbia și Macedonia de Nord – colaborează strâns cu comunitățile rome pentru a atinge trei obiective strategice principale: (1) Dezvoltarea de modele educaționale complementare, menite să crească și să consolideze reziliența comunităților rome; (2) Crearea de programe de angajare eficiente pentru romi, adaptate la evoluția piețelor muncii; (3) Investiții țintite în educație și leadership, cu scopul de a dezvolta capitalul uman în rândul populației rome.

NOTĂ – Fundația Roma Education Fund promovează principiile egalității de șanse și diversității în procesul de recrutare. Sunt încurajate să aplice toate persoanele care împărtășesc valorile noastre și care îndeplinesc cerințele postului, indiferent de etnie, gen sau statut social. În mod particular, sunt încurajate aplicațiile din partea persoanelor care se identifică drept romi, inclusiv ale femeilor rome și ale foștilor beneficiari ai programelor REF.

Important – Din cauza numărului mare de înscrieri, din păcate, REF nu are posibilitatea de a răspunde individual fiecărui candidat. Vă rugăm să rețineți că doar persoanele selectate pe lista scurtă vor fi contactate pentru un prim interviu și un test de evaluare.  Apreciem interesul tuturor celor care aleg să aplice și vă asigurăm că fiecare candidatură va fi analizată cu atenție.