News Archive
‘Hurjasa’ / ‘We Will Fly’ set to premiere 22 July
19 Jul 2022
Roma across the Western Balkans are being encouraged to stand up and be counted in a new short film made by a team of Roma journalists, activists and filmmakers from across Europe. The film, entitled Hurjasa, which means “We Will Fly” is made entirely in the Romani language and ...
Roma Digital Boost – Modul 2 Training of Trainers held from 22-24 June 2022
24 Jun 2022
Roma Integration Action team continued with organisation of training in the scope of Roma Digital Boost Training of Trainers workshops and in cooperation with the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI) organisation.
Roma Responsive Budgeting Training held in Bosnia and Herzegovina
16 Jun 2022
Today in Bosnia and Herzegovina we rounded a series of training on Roma responsive budgeting throughout the region with a joint conclusion: changes and better budget planning on a local level are needed to promote inclusion, participation and equality of Roma.
Roma Responsive Budgeting at the local level discussed in Podgorica
13 Jun 2022
A meeting on improving budgeting for Roma and the Egyptians at the local level was held on 13 June in Podgorica. The event was organised by the Council of Europe Programme Office – through the joint EU-CoE ROMACTED Phase II Programme, the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, and the ...
Roma Responsive Budgeting – Training for Local Representatives in Serbia
08 Jun 2022
A training for local representatives from Serbia on the topic of Roma Responsive Budgeting has been held today in Belgrade. Namely, after the Regional Cooperation Council Roma Integration Action Team developed and introduced Roma Responsive Budgeting guidelines and organised trainings at the ...
"Romology" Programme accredited for the first time in Montenegro
07 Jun 2022
For the first time, Romology studies are accredited program in Montenegro by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, founded by the Institute of Foreign Languages. The curriculum is composed of four modules: "Roma Identity and Identity Dilemmas," "Roma Culture," ...
Roma Digital Boost – Modul 1 Training of Trainers held from 1-3 June 2022
03 Jun 2022
Roma Digital Boost Training of Trainers – Modul 1, a three-day workshop, was held this week in Popova Sapka in North Macedonia. It gathered around 15 young Roma and aimed to equip them with digital and social media knowledge, as well as to train them on how to pass their newly gained ...
The Roma Holocaust/Roma Genocide in Southeastern Europe Research Report Launching Event held yesterday
01 Jun 2022
Launch of the regional research report, The Roma Holocaust/Roma Genocide in Southeastern Europe: Between Oblivion, Acknowledgment, and Distortion took place yesteday, online, in a form of webinar. This event marks the conclusion of a month of events dedicated to the Roma resistance and the ...
Joint Event of the Regional Cooperation Council Roma Integration And Council of Europe Romacted Projects on Roma Responsive Budgeting
24 May 2022
Roma integration is a complex process that requires the concerted effort of all stakeholders. A key component of successful Roma integration is ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to meet the needs of Roma communities. This requires effective and responsive budgeting practices. Therefore, ...
EU Roma Week 2022 held from 16 to 19 May
17 May 2022
Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration Action Team, led by Mr Orhan Usein, Head of Office, participated in EU Roma Week 2022. A series of events were organised in the European Parliament and this year aimed to debate post-2020 policies for the equality, inclusion and participation ...
Roma Responsive Budgeting – Training for Local Representatives in North Macedonia
12 May 2022
After the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration Action Team provided the training on Roma Responsive Budgeting to the central authorities, and supported the Governments in the region to apply the principles of Roma Responsive Budgeting in their budgeting processes, similar training ...
Housing Training for Municipal Officials
28 Apr 2022
The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning and Infrastructure in partnership with the Office of Good Governance, and supported by the Regional Cooperation Council's Roma Integration Action Team organised two consecutive two-day trainings for capacity building of municipal officials ...
Policy Dialogue Seminar on Inclusion of Roma and Egyptian Communities in Albania
20 Apr 2022
Policy Dialogue Seminar on Inclusion of Roma and Egyptian Communities in Albania took place in Tirana, with education, antigypsyism, employment, health, social care, housing and civil registration in focus.
Meeting of the Expert Group in Serbia – Action Plan and Roma Responsive Budgeting in focus
18 Apr 2022
After the Republic of Serbia adopted a revised Strategy for Social Inclusion of Roma Men and Women for the period from 2022 – 2030, the Expert Group of the Coordination Body for Roma Policies of the Government of the Republic of Serbia met in Zlatibor to discuss the Action Plan detailing ...
Regional Cooperation Council and Roma Integration project celebrate International Roma Day
08 Apr 2022
51 years have passed since the First World Romani Congress in London
Usein: "Unemployment and lack of decent living conditions are still major issues for Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina"
01 Mar 2022
"Working in the informal economy is still a major issue. According to estimates, the formal employment rate for Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at only between 11 and 13 per cent. Another estimate states that 63% of all Roma workers are not registered and are working undeclared, ...
National Platform and working meeting held in North Macedonia
24 Feb 2022
In close cooperation with the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration action team organised а two day event in Skopje - National Platform and a technical meeting. During the first official day, responsible Ministries reported ...
Nominate Roma businesswomen for Western Balkans Women Entrepreneurs of the Year
24 Feb 2022
Throught the history and today, Roma women have been facing significant challenges when it comes to achieving economic justice due to a variety of factors, including gender, ethnicity, early marriages, strong patriarchy systems in Roma communities and their social status in general. Additionally, ...
Usein: "We all pay the price for Roma exclusion"
10 Feb 2022
"Antigypsyism and discrimination for Roma start from an early age, when Roma kids are enrolled in school and often put into special or segregated schools or classes. And it is happening in the entire region, and wider. In the 21 century, in the middle of democratic societies, in Europe, ...
Sixth Task Force Meeting of the Roma Integration project
14 Dec 2021
The RCC’s Roma Integration Action Team held its sixth Task Force meeting, this year in a hybrid mode, with around 15 participants present live in Belgrade, while other invitees joined online.
Usein: The school dropout rate of Roma children increased by 11%, while every second Roma reported reduced income due to the impact of Covid-19
13 Dec 2021
RCC’s Roma Integration Project hosts the regional conference on Impact of Covid-19 on Roma in the Western Balkans
International Day of Human Rights - Interview with Orhan Usein
10 Dec 2021
On the occasion of marking the International Day of Human Rights, which is marked on 10 December, Mr. Orhan Usein, Head of Office of the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration Project gave his interview for Euronews Albania
Ending Statelessness of Roma in North Macedonia - Mapping of Legal and Policy Frameworks
22 Nov 2021
The RCC Roma Integration Action Team, lead by Mr Orhan Usein, Head of Office and Ms Shejla Fidani, Policy expert, and the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia organised a discussion on mapping of existing legal and policy frameworks towards ending statelessness of Roma.
20 Roma Entrepreneurs enhanced their digital skills
08 Nov 2021
Roma Digital Boost, a three-day workshop, was held last weekend in Veles, the Republic of North Macedonia. The workshop gathered 20 Roma entrepreneurs and aimed to equip attendees with the digital tools and skills to use social media and other digital platforms to enhance their businesses.
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu met with Roma entrepreneurs
26 Oct 2021
Following the validation of the Brdo Declaration and the commitment of the Western Balkans partners to the primacy of democracy, fundamental rights and values, as well their commitment to fully implement Green Agenda; and the 4th Western Balkans Digital Summit that especially emphasized the ...
Two Workshops Held: Drafting the New Roma Strategic Frameworks
11 Oct 2021
In the previous period, Roma Integration Action Team facilitated two workshops, which were held with the aim to draft the new Roma Strategic Frameworks in accordance with the goals and objectives of the document presented by the European Commission in October 2020. The new document, EU Roma ...
Donors Conference on Roma Inclusion in Montenegro held in Podgorica
07 Oct 2021
Roma Integration Action team supported organisation of the Donors Conference on Roma Inclusion in Montenegro, hosted by the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights - Division for Roma and Egyptian Inclusion.
Romani Week 2021: Fight Against Antigypsyism at the Forefront
01 Oct 2021
Romani Week 2021, held from 27-30 September, gathered policymakers, experts, activists, and organisations concerned with persistent antigypsyism in Europe, as a root cause of all problems Roma face.
Op-ed by Orhan Usein: Discrimination against Roma alive and well
02 Jul 2021
If you were concerned about where did the hate crimes and discrimination go in the COVID-19 times, do not worry, they are still here, alive and well.
Conclusions of the Second Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration
30 Jun 2021
Following the endorsement of the Declaration of Western Balkans Partners on Roma Integration within the EU Enlargement Process (Poznan Declaration) at the Western Balkans Leaders’ Summit in Poznan, Poland on 05 July 2019, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina ...
Second Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
28 Jun 2021
The Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Council Roma Integration project hosted the second Ministerial meeting on Roma integration on 28 June 2021, in Sarajevo.
Bregu: Discrimination against Roma remains very high
28 Jun 2021
Sarajevo hosts Second Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration: Roma should be included in the Green and Digital Agendas
Mr Usein and Minister Obradovic held their first meeting
20 May 2021
Mr Orhan Usein, Head of Office of Regional Cooperation Council Roma Integration Project, and Ms Marija Obradovic, the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government held a meeting and agreed to establish the cooperation between the Ministry and the Office.
Educational board game featuring real-life stories of 24 Roma heroes
13 May 2021
“Roma Heroes” is an educational board game developed in the framework of the “Re-thinking Roma Resistance” project by the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC).
The Day of Romani Resistance
12 May 2021
Re-thinking Roma Resistance is a European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) project, developed to initiate change in the European historical and cultural narrative concerning Roma.
Fifth National Platform on Roma Integration in Albania
11 May 2021
The fifth National Platform on Roma Integration in Albania took place in the beautiful surrounding of Sculpture Reja - the Cloud, by Japanese architect and artist Sou Fujimoto.
Closing Ceremony of the Rolling Film Festival
20 Apr 2021
In a festive atmosphere, considering measures against COVID-19, the Rolling Film Festival organized its closing ceremony in the National Theatre in Pristina.
Ceremonial Academy "Roma who made this world a better place"
09 Apr 2021
The ceremonial academy on the occasion of the April 8, International Roma Day was held last night at the National Theatre in Belgrade, in the presence of Minister of Culture and Information Ms Maja Gojkovic, Minister of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue Ms Gordana Comic, Head of ...
Message on the occasion of 8 April, the International Roma Day
08 Apr 2021
Today we mark one of the most important days for all Roma: the jubilee 50th Anniversary of the First World Romani Congress held back in 1971 in London.
Announcement: "Roma who made the world a better place"
05 Apr 2021
Belgrade – The Ceremonial Academy “Roma who made the world a better place” will be held on Thursday, 8 April 2021, at the National Theater in Belgrade, Serbia, stage “Rasa Plaovic”.
Analyses of mainstream policies targeting Roma integration
03 Feb 2021
In order to provide input for constructive and evidence-based discussion on effective ways to incorporate Roma integration into the Mainstream Policies the documents provide information for: The key mainstream policies favourable for Roma integration in each economy; The opportunities ...
Webinar: Responsible Reporting on Roma Inclusion
19 Jan 2021
The Roma Integration 2020 project is organizing the webinar for journalists, media representatives and others interested in human rights: Responsible reporting on Roma Inclusion The webinar will take place on 25 January 2021, from 14:00 to 16:00 hrs CET (Sarajevo, Zagreb, Skopje).
Fifth Task Force Meeting Held Online
15 Dec 2020
Fifth Task Force Meeting Held Online - Mapping of informal settlements, ending statelessness, data collection, and Roma responsive budgeting in focus In the course of COVID-19 pandemic, RCC’s Roma Integration held its fifth Task Force meeting on 15 December 2020 online, striving to ...
Interview: Orhan Usein urges to do more on Roma Integration
10 Dec 2020
"We still witness violations of human rights of the Roma population – police brutality, segregated schools and housing, discrimination within different public institutions, including health care providers, which is especially concerning at this time when the world is facing a pandemic. ...
Conclusions of the Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration
27 Oct 2020
Following the endorsement of the Declaration of Western Balkans Partners on Roma Integration within the EU Enlargement Process1 (Poznan Declaration) at the Western Balkans Leaders’ Summit in Poznan, Poland on 05 July 2019, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Albania and the ...
Tirana Hosted Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration
27 Oct 2020
Tirana – “Roma integration should not be a matter of empathy for a vulnerable group, but it’s a matter of principle of treating equally all the citizens in the Western Balkans. We are glad that our initiative to boost human capital development within Connectivity Agenda of ...
Fourth National Platform on Roma Integration in Albania
29 Sep 2020
The fourth National Platform on Roma Integration in Albania, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council Roma Integration Action Team, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection was held on 29th September 2020.
Technical Meeting on Roma Integration in Pristina
16 Sep 2020
The Roma Integration action team facilitated a virtual meeting organized by European Commission Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) and the EU Office in Pristina, with the Office of Good Governance and representatives from the relevant ministries on ...
RCC Roma Integration 2020: Six open calls for the provision of consultancy services
13 Jul 2020
RCC Roma Integration Action Team is announcing six open calls for the provision of consultancy services. Qualified candidates are invited to send an application in line with the Terms of Reference for the following Open Calls...
Interview: Orhan Usein, Leader of Roma Integration 2020 project, implemented by Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
11 Jul 2020
"The Poznan declaration represent a set of basic questions that many take for granted, but for Roma minority these are often unattainable categories: employment opportunities, access to education, health care, housing in decent conditions and legal settlements, with access to drinking ...
It is our duty to fight discrimination wherever we see it, Article by Orhan Usein, Team Leader of Roma Integration 2020 project on the occasion of the first anniversary of Poznan Declaration
07 Jul 2020
"The discrimination of minorities is a pandemic worse than the coronavirus, as it has managed to rule the world for a lot longer. As well as the virus, it mutates, takes on new forms, and finds many different ways to inhibit the population. Dehumanisation, degradation, segregation, humiliation ...
Roma Integration 2020 responses to COVID-19 outbreak in the Western Balkans
07 May 2020
In the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, many Roma communities are particularly vulnerable to the current pandemic and to the restrictive measures taken for the protection of the citizens against the virus. The living conditions and basic sanitary infrastructure in many Roma communities are not ...
Policy Briefs on Roma Responsive Budgeting
14 Jan 2020
The Western Balkans’ six economies, participating in the Roma Responsive Budgeting Initiative led by the Roma Integration project, have been working progressively on piloting the Guidelines for Roma Responsive Budgeting developed in 2018 within the inter-governmental working group ...
Fourth Task Force Meeting: Housing is essential to one's sense of dignity, safety, and inclusion
13 Dec 2019
The RCC’s Roma Integration 2020 project held its fourth Task Force meeting in Belgrade on 12 and 13 December 2019. The key stakeholders of the project reviewed the status of activities in the seven participating economies, discussed the status of implementation of the Declaration of the ...
Time for Roma women to lead changes within their families and communities
11 Dec 2019
Universal Declaration of Human Rights emphasized that human rights are universal and do not depend on national, state, ideological, social and cultural affiliation. Even today, more than seven decades after the adoption of the General Charter, people in various parts of the world suffer ...
Regional Conference: Mapping of Roma Housing in the Region (Sarajevo, 2019)
05 Nov 2019
The RCC-s Roma Integration 2020 Action Team presented a Methodology for Mapping of Roma Housing in the WB. Regional Conference on Housing in Sarajevo brought together regional National Roma Contact Points, representatives from the relevant ministries, Roma civil society representatives and ...
Common European Roma Strategy Means Integrated Approach to Roma Integration in Western Balkans
01 Oct 2019
When societies face persistent or acute problems, policies and strategies are discussed. Policies are a collective activity focused on problem solving and strategy is a plan towards achieving a goal, which is, solution of problem. The Roma, the largest ethnic minority in Europe (over 11 million), ...
National Platform on Roma Integration helps government and partners to set clear guidelines for Roma integration
18 Sep 2019
National Platform for Roma Integration held its forth meeting in Serbia, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 and National Roma Contact Point. The idea of this annual meeting is to present the achievements and to discuss specific issues in order ...
Only integrative approach could ensure effective Roma integration
16 Sep 2019
The Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 and the National Roma Contact Point of the Bosnia and Herzegovina organized the forth National Platform for Roma Integration in Sarajevo. This meeting presents the annual progress report of the government and propose ...
Development of most effective policies for housing and employment of Roma in the Republic of North Macedonia is essential
11 Sep 2019
The Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 and the National Roma Contact Point of the Republic of North Macedonia organized the third National Platform for Roma Integration in Skopje, an annual meeting to present the progress, identify achievements and challenges, ...
National Platform– nationwide dialogue about Roma integration policies
06 Sep 2019
The Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration Project, together with the National Roma Contact Point, held a fourth National Platform on Roma Integration which offered a new approach towards improvement of the employment and housing policies for Roma and Ashkali. The National ...
The Fifth Story: Neighbors Julka and Cveta
01 Aug 2019
This story is a part of publication “Do You know Who I Am?”. We publish this testimony to commemorate 2 August – Roma Holocaust Memorial Day with gratefulness to historian Milovan Pisarri.
Declaration of WB Partners on Roma Integration within the EU Enlargement Process
12 Jul 2019
The Declaration of Western Balkans Partners on Roma Integration within the EU Enlargement Process specifies the targets in Roma integration to be achieved by the Western Balkans economies by the time each becomes a Member State of the European Union. These targets are increase in the employment ...
Roma Declaration – A new Energy for Regional Cooperation
03 Jul 2019
The Ministers of economy, interior and foreign affairs of the economies participating in the Berlin Process will meet in Poznan on 4 and 5 July 2019. The Summit will also be attended by representatives of the European Commission (EC), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation ...
Regional Conference: Where to with Roma Integration? (Belgrade, 2019)
24 Jun 2019
The regional conference “Where to with Roma integration” was held in Belgrade on 21 June 2019, and was organized jointly by the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration project, the Government of Serbia, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Belgrade, the OSCE Mission ...
The path of young Roma from education to employment discussed at the Regional Seminar
19 Jun 2019
Western Balkans Regional Seminar “Roma youth: from Education to Employment” held in Skopje on 19 June was organized by the Roma Education Fund to discuss two key and inseparable elements for effective Roma integration: education and employment. The seminar gathered together ...
Second Steering Committee of ROMACTED Programme held in Skopje
18 Jun 2019
The second Steering Committee of the Joint European Union and Council of Europe ROMACTED Programme was held in Skopje on 18 June 2019. The representatives from the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), the Council of Europe, representatives ...
National Platform in Montenegro offered new solutions for employment and housing for the Roma community
11 Jun 2019
The RCC Roma Integration project hosted the National Platform for Roma Integration in Montenegro on 11 June 2019 in Podgorica. Recognizing the challenges in housing and employment for Roma, this platform focused on identifying measures that could bring new solutions for successful ...
Third National Platform on Roma Integration in Albania - an opportunity for needful dialogue about Roma
07 Jun 2019
The 2019 National Platform on Roma Integration in Albania, organised by the RCC Roma Integration project was held in Tirana on 7 June. The event was an opportunity for a dynamic and open dialogue among representatives of the Albanian government, civil society and various important stakeholders ...
Funds should be invested where they are most needed
05 Jun 2019
Roma Integration Project works with the region on ensuring Roma responsive budgeting The way regional budget programs are designed in their current financial systems, seem to be rigid and lack flexibility of intervention either to introduce a new product related directly ...
Roma Integration 2020 project continues its work on improving the lives and welfare of Roma as equal citizens in EU Enlargement region
05 Apr 2019
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu (left) and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic (right) signed Memorandum of Understanding on hospitality to the RCC’s Roma Integration 2020 project in Belgrade on 5 April 2019 (Photo: Courtesy of the Government of Serbia)
2019 EU Roma Week
18 Mar 2019
The Regional Cooperation Council - RCC's Roma Integration Action Team is taking part in a series of events devoted to furthering the Roma Integration process in the EU and the enlargement region at the EU Roma Week, taking place from 18 to 21 March in Brussels.
Romanian EU Presidency: High level conference on EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies
04 Mar 2019
Regional Cooperation Council - RCC Roma Integration 2020 Team Leader Orhan Usein presented the enlargement region views on the post-2020 Framework for Roma Integration at the High level conference on EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies, organized by the European ...
Decent living and additional support for Roma whether staying or leaving
07 Feb 2019
The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Roma Integration Policy Expert Danilo Smolovic participated as a panellist at the ENGAGE international event “Building stronger states in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe: Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human rights and Minority Protection”, ...
Roma Integration 2020 Newsletter Nr. 3
24 Dec 2018
Dear Reader, I am happy to introduce the latest issue of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Newsletter, summarizing the key achievements of the project during 2018.
Regional Conference: Innovative Approaches to Employment of Roma (Budapest, 2018)
10 Dec 2018
Budapest - Regional conference on innovative approaches to employment of Roma, jointly organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s projects Roma Integration 2020 and Employment and Social Affairs Platform (ESAP), and Roma Education Fund (REF) started in Budapest today. “The ...
Third Task Force meeting: Enlargement region expressed will to secure equal opportunities, development and non-discrimination of Roma community
04 Dec 2018
Skopje – Governments of the EU Enlargement region agreed to work on a Regional Declaration on Roma and EU enlargementat the Third Task Force meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) project, held in Skopje. They also agreed to continue and ...
Third meeting of the Working Group for Developing Regional Standards for Roma Responsible Budgeting
08 Nov 2018
Rome – The Working Group for Developing Regional Standards for Roma Responsible Budgeting, comprising of the National Roma Contacts Points (NRCP) representatives of Ministries of Finances from the economies in the enlargement region, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Roma Integration ...
Regional Conference: Economic (In)Dependence of Romani Women: Challenges and Early Causes (Belgrade, 2018)
31 Oct 2018
Belgrade – The regional conference on economic situation of Romani women in the European Union enlargement region, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) in cooperation with the Government of Serbia and CARE International Balkans, has started ...
RCC’s Roma Integration 2020 at 2018 EU Platform on Roma Inclusion in Brussels
10 Oct 2018
Usein: Full social support package along with housing solution needed for sustainable integration of Roma in the region Brussels – The Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Action Team, prepared a set of recommendations intended to resolve the ...
Second National Platform on Roma Integration in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Skopje, 2018)
03 Oct 2018
Skopje – The second national platform on Roma Integration, gathering representatives of the government, civil society organizations, the Delegation of the European Union and relevant international organisations, to assess the Roma integration policy achievements made in 2017 and agree ...
Third National Platform on Roma Integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo, 2018)
28 Sep 2018
Sarajevo – The third National Platform on Roma Integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 in cooperation with the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was held in Sarajevo today. ...
Usein: Cycle of poverty of Roma remains uninterrupted
26 Sep 2018
Brijuni Island - Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 Action Team Leader Orhan Usein participated as a panelist at the international expert seminar “Transition from Education to Employment for Roma Youth – a Key step in Roma Inclusion”, taking place on 25 and ...
Third National Platform on Roma Integration in Kosovo* (Pristina, 2018)
21 Sep 2018
Pristina - Under the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020), the third National Platform on Roma Integration in Kosovo*, jointly organized by the RI2020 Action Team and the Office of the Prime Minister was held in Pristina today. The meeting ...
Progress Reports on the Integration of Roma for 2017 submitted by the RI2020 Participating Governments
10 Sep 2018
The Governments participating in the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)'s Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) submitted annual reports on the implementation of their national strategies and action plans on Roma integration for 2017, according to the regionally adopted standards for monitoring ...
The RCC’s RI2020 marks 2 August – Roma Holocaust Memorial Day
02 Aug 2018
Belgrade – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Roma Integration 2020 Action Team marks 2 August, the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, also known as the Pharrajimos. “It is our obligation not only to adequately acknowledge Romani Genocide in the World War II and the past ...
High level of discrimination in the labour market against Roma in the South East Europe region
06 Jul 2018
Brussels – Roma and other minorities in the South East Europe region continue to suffer from unacceptably high levels of discrimination in the labour market, revealed results of 2018 edition of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Balkan Barometer (BB), an annual survey of citizens ...
Second Meeting of the Working Group for Developing Regional Standards for Roma Responsible Budgeting
03 Jul 2018
Bucharest – The second meeting of the Working Group for Developing Regional Standards for Roma Responsible Budgeting, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020), took place in Bucharest today.
Thrid National Platform on Roma Integration in Serbia (Belgrade, 2018)
26 Jun 2018
Belgrade – National Platform on Roma integration in Serbia, providing wide public dialogue with the relevant institutions and civil society and others concerned with the issue of Roma integration, at the same time ensuring transparency of the Roma related policy, participation in decision ...
Second National Platform Meeting on Roma Integration in Albania (Tirana, 2018)
11 Jun 2018
Tirana - The second National Platform Meeting on Roma Integration in Albania, aimed at reviewing the status of implementation of National Action Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptians for the period from 2016 to 2020, took place in Tirana today. The meeting is organized by the Regional ...
Regional Conference: Holistic Approach to Housing of Roma in the Enlargement Region (Bar, 2018)
31 May 2018
Bar – A two day conference “Holistic Approach to Housing for Roma in the Enlargement Region”, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Action Team, started in Bar today.
Third National Platform meeting on Roma Integration in Montenegro (Podgorica, 2018)
30 May 2018
Podgorica – The third National Platform meeting on Roma Integration in Montenegro for 2018, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council(RCC)’s Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Action Team in close cooperation with the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro, took place ...
Bojadjieva: Local level implementation of the regional standards agreed within the RI 2020 may be ensured through the ROMACTED project
29 May 2018
Official start of the the Joint Council of Europe and the European Union Programme, ROMACTED: Promoting Good Governance and Roma Empowerment at Local Level, was marked in Belgrade on 29 May 2018, by signing of the Protocol of Cooperation between the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure ...
For improvement of socio-economic position of Roma fight against anti-Gypsyism and discrimination is a must
22 May 2018
Belgrade – RCC’s Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Policy Expert Aleksandra Bojadjieva spoke today at the presentation of the report “Wall of Anti-Gypsism – Roma in Serbia”, one of five from the series “The Wall on Anti-Gypsyism – Reports on Roma Rights ...
First meeting of the Working Group for Developing Regional Standards for Roma Responsible Budgeting
26 Apr 2018
Vienna – The RCC’s Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Working Group for Developing Regional Standards for Roma Responsible Budgeting, consisting of the RI2020 Action Team, independent budget experts, National Roma Contacts Points (NRCP) and representatives of Ministries of Finances ...
Roma Integration 2020 Newsletter Nr. 2
16 Apr 2018
Dear Reader, Welcome to the second issue of the Roma Integration 2020 Newsletter. At the beginning, we would like to congratulate you the International Roma Day, 8 April and EU Roma Week. This date is dedicated to the celebration of Romani culture, history and heritage, but it ...
National Roma Contact Points join the EU Roma Week in Brussels
09 Apr 2018
Brussels - National Roma Contact Points from each of the economy participating at the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration 2020 project, joined the third EU Roma Week – a series of events providing recommendations on combating anti-Gypsyism and continued structural ...
RCC and its RI2020 congratulate the International Roma Day
08 Apr 2018
Sarajevo, Belgrade – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and its Roma Integration 2020 Action Team congratulate the International Roma Day, being marked today. 8 April is dedicated to the celebration of Romani culture, history, heritage and experiences. It is also used to pursue ...
Synergy of the Roma Integration 2020 Project and ROMACTED Programme
19 Mar 2018
Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Roma Integration 2020 Action Team Leader, Orhan Usein is participating at the launching event of the ROMACTED Programme “Promoting Good Governance and Roma Empowerment at Local Level”, organized by the Council of Europe and Delegation ...
Roma Largely Excluded from Mainstream Measures for Poverty Reduction
21 Feb 2018
Prishtina – Roma Integration 2020 Action Team Leader, Orhan Usein is one of the key note speakers to open the Seminar on Policy Commitments and Inclusion of Roma and Ashkali Communities in Kosovo* Society, organised by the Office of the Prime Minister in cooperation with the European ...
Regional Workshop: Addressing Discrimination and Anti-Gypsyism in the Enlargement Region (Berlin, 2018)
13 Feb 2018
Berlin – A two-day workshop addressing discrimination and anti-Gypsyism in the enlargement region, organized under the auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) project, opened in Berlin today. The main objective of the workshop, gathering more ...
Integral Approach to Housing and Employment Considered as Essential in Achieving Sustainable Roma Integration
31 Jan 2018
Sarajevo - “Sustainable and long-term integration of Roma is possible only through ensuring an integral approach to housing and employment measures”, said Regional Cooperation Council's Roma Integration 2020 Action Team Leader, Orhan Usein, at the opening of the Seminar on Roma ...
Regional Conference: Filling in the Budget Gaps in Roma Integration Policies (Tirana, 2017)
10 Nov 2017
The Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Action Team organized a regional conference on 10 November in Tirana to address the needs and priorities in the Western Balkans and Turkey concerning filling in the budget gaps in Roma Integration Policies, with a ...
Key Note at the Regional Conference "Security of Romani Women in the Western Balkans"
25 Oct 2017
Ms Aleksandra Bojadjieva, Policy Expert of the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration 2020 Action Team, participated at the regional conference “Security of Romani Women in the Western Balkans” organized by Care International in Belgrade on 25 October 2017. Ms Bojadjieva ...
Roma Integration 2020 Action Team Leader Key Note Speech at the Roma Seminar in Serbia
19 Oct 2017
Regional Cooperation Council's Roma Integration 2020 Action Team Leader, Mr Orhan Usein, had a key note speech at the opening of the 2017 Roma Seminar in Serbia organized by the Government of Serbia and the European Commission. The Roma Seminars are biannual meeting between the enlargement ...
Second National Plaform on Roma Integration in Kosovo* (Prishtina, 2017)
17 Oct 2017
The Second National Plaform meeting was held in Pristina on 17 October 2017. It was jointly organized by the Regional Cooperation Council Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Project and the Office for Good Governance (OGG) of the Office of the Prime Minister.
RCC’s Balkan Barometer 2017: Unemployment remains the chief concern, while anxiety over corruption grows
09 Oct 2017
Brussels – The Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) presented in Brussels today the 2017 edition of the Balkan Barometer (BB), an annual survey of citizens and business communities’ opinion on the situation in the region.
Second National Platform on Roma Integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo, 2017)
25 Sep 2017
Sarajevo - The National Platform on Roma issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina was organized by the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration 2020 Action Team as part of the second cycle of this regular activity within the project, implemented in each of the participating economies. ...
Second Task Force meeting: Budgeting in the region to be improved to reflect measures for integration of Roma
21 Sep 2017
Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 Action Team (RI2020) is given the mandate to work with the governments on developing regional standards for budgeting Roma Integration policies and mainstream budgeting responsible to Roma integration, at the RI2020 Task Force ...
RCC's Roma Integration 2020 Policy Expert participates at the OSCE HDIM 2017
18 Sep 2017
Ms Aleksandra Bojadjieva, Policy Expert at the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration 2020 Action Team, participated at Working session 10: Tolerance and Non-Discrimination I. The session focused on the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, particularly Roma and ...
First National Platform on Roma Integration in Turkey (Ankara, 2017)
13 Sep 2017
The first national platform meeting in Turkey was held on 13 September 2017 in Ankara, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council Roma Integration 2020 Action Team in close cooperation with the National Roma Contact Point of Turkey, Mr Emre Ertekin, Social Policy Expert at the Family and ...
Second National Platform on Roma Integration in Montenegro (Podgorica, 2017)
05 Jul 2017
The second National Platform on Roma Integration for 2017 in Montenegro was held on 05 July 2017 in Podgorica, Montenegro by the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration 2020 Action Team in close cooperation with the National Roma Contact Point of Montenegro, Mr Leon Gjokaj, General ...
National Workshop: Public Budgeting for Roma Integration in Montenegro
04 Jul 2017
The replication of the RCC’s Roma Integration 2020 regional workshop on budgeting public funds for the integration of Roma in the Montenegro was held in Sutomore on 03-04 July 2017. Public servants from relevant ministries implementing the Roma integration Strategy of Montenegro ...
Regional Monitoring Standards promoted at the Roma women regional network
21 Jun 2017
Within the workshop for Romani women civil society activists aimed at building their knowledge and capacities regarding the EU integration processes and the Roma integration within the process organized as part of the regional project “For Active Inclusion & Rights of Roma Women ...
Second National Platform on Roma Integration in Serbia (Belgrade, 2017)
13 Jun 2017
The second National Platform on Roma Integration was held in Serbia today, 13 June 2017, in the main Government building. The representatives of the institutions presented the 2016 annual report on the implementation of the Roma integration policy in Serbia, followed by the civil society view ...
National Workshop: Public Budgeting for Roma Integration in Serbia
06 Jun 2017
The replication of the RCC’s Roma Integration 2020 regional workshop on budgeting public funds for the integration of Roma in the Republic of Serbia started today in Arangelovac. Public servants from relevant ministries implementing the Roma Integration Strategy of Serbia participated ...
Streamlining Roma issues in the regional discourse on discrimination at work and in employment
30 May 2017
Discrimination at work and in employment affects human dignity and restricts human rights and freedoms. Responsible institutions must respond properly to this phenomenon. This was the key message from the opening of the regional conference “Discrimination at work and in employment” ...
National Workshop: Public Budgeting for Roma Integration in Albania
24 May 2017
This workshop is a replication of RCCs Roma Integration 2020 regional workshop on budgeting public funds for the integration of Roma. Public servants from relevant ministries implementing the Roma Integration Strategy of Albania participated in the one day workshop on budgeting activities that ...
First National Platform on Roma Integration in Albania (Tirana, 2017)
23 May 2017
Tirana – A two-day National Platform on Roma Integration, discussing the implementation of the National Action Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptians 2016-2020, opened in Tirana, Albania today. The Platform, focusing on the five main priorities - education, employment, social protection, ...
Roma Integration 2020 Newsletter Nr. 1
22 May 2017
Welcome to the first issue of the Roma Integration 2020 project newsletter. From the beginning of the project we have focused on achieving the expected project results in effective, efficient and quality manner. It is time to start regularly updating you on these achievements. Roma ...
RCC’s Roma Integration 2020 project at Roma week 2017 in Brussels
29 Mar 2017
Orhan Usein, Leader of Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Action Team presented the work and goals of the RI2020 working on Roma Integration issues in the Western Balkans and Turkey, within the Roma week 2017, taking place in Brussels.
Regional Workshop: Public Budgeting for Roma Integration Policies (Skopje, 2017)
20 Mar 2017
A two-day regional workshop on budgeting for Roma integration policies, organized by the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration 2020 project (RI2020), took place in Skopje on 20-21 March 2017. The Workshop participants discussed public financing and budgeting allocations ...
Regional Workshop: Monitoring and Reporting on Roma Integration (Vienna, 2016)
12 Dec 2016
The regional workshop on monitoring and reporting, organised by Roma Integration 2020 (RI2020) Action Team of Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), started in Vienna today. It will provide the participants with the necessary skills for data collection, use of monitoring indicators and reporting ...
First National Platform on Roma Integration in Montenegro (Podgorica, 2016)
01 Dec 2016
Podgorica – The 2016 cycle of the Public Dialogue Forums on implementation and priority measures on Roma issues, that took place throughout the region in the past few months, concluded with the Forum in Podgorica today. The events have been organised by the Regional Cooperation Council’s ...
First National Platform on Roma Integration in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Skopje, 2016)
24 Nov 2016
Skopje - Public Dialogue Forum on Roma Integration titled “Rules of Procedure of The National Coordination Body, The Roma Information Centres, and The Roma Health Mediators” began in Skopje. The two-day event is organised by the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Roma Integration ...
First National Platform on Roma Integration in Kosovo* (Prishtina, 2016)
21 Nov 2016
Pristina - Under the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Project Roma Integration 2020, the first Policy Dialogue Forum, jointly organized with the Office for Good Governance of the Office of the Prime Minister, was held in Pristina today.
RCC participation at the event “Which steps towards European policies against anti-Gypsyism”
15 Nov 2016
Ms Aleksandra BOJADJIEVA, Policy Expert of the Regional Cooperation Council’s Roma Integration 2020 Action Team, participated at the event titled ‘Which steps towards European policies against anti-Gypsyism?.’ The event was held on 15 November 2016 in Brussels, and was organized by ...
First Task Force meeting: Regional standards for reporting on progress, outcomes and budget for Roma integration
09 Nov 2016
The Roma Integration 2020 Action Team organized the first Task Force meeting of the Roma Integration 2020 project. The Task Force, which is composed of the National Roma Contact Points from the participating economies, two civil society representatives, the European Commission DG NEAR, Open ...
First National Platform on Roma Integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo, 2016)
07 Nov 2016
Sarajevo, 7 November 2016 – Bosnia and Herzegovina works on finalisation of the Action Plan on Roma for 2017-2020 at the public dialogue forum organised by the Roma Integration 2020 project of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Rights and ...
First National Platform on Roma Integration in Serbia (Belgrade, 2016)
13 Oct 2016
Sarajevo/Belgrade - The Roma Integration 2020 project of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) presented its activities assisting the Government in the implementation of the Strategy for Social Inclusion of Roma 2016-2025 at the public hearing organised in cooperation with the Committee for ...
High Level Launch Event: Before accession, countries will need to prove tangible progress on Roma inclusion
09 Jun 2016
Brussels - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and the European Commission (EC) jointly launched the “Roma Integration 2020” initiative today in Brussels. The event brought together Roma integration policy leaders from the Western Balkans and ...