On April 23, the European Parliament hosted the international event “Challenges and Opportunities of Roma in the EU Enlargement Region”, bringing together policymakers, international organizations, experts, and Roma community representatives to discuss the situation of Roma communities in EU candidate countries and neighboring states.
The discussion focused on the findings of large-scale studies examining the living conditions of Roma communities across the Western Balkans, as well as in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Participants explored both persistent challenges and practical opportunities for progress in the region.
Bringing the Ukrainian Perspective to the European Stage
At the invitation of UNDP and the World Bank, Yulian Kondur, Project Coordinator of the Roma Women Fund “Chirikli”, joined the panel discussion to present the Ukrainian context and share the experiences of Roma communities during the ongoing full-scale war.
During his intervention, he emphasized that the war has significantly deepened existing inequalities affecting Roma communities, including poverty, housing loss, forced displacement, unemployment, and limited access to education, healthcare, and social services.
The Role of Roma Organizations During the War
Participants also highlighted the critical role played by Roma organizations and community mediators. In many cases, they serve as the first point of support for vulnerable families, helping them access services and strengthening communication between communities and public institutions.
The Ukrainian experience demonstrates that effective cooperation between civil society and state institutions is essential for addressing social challenges and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Evidence-Based Policies for Real Change
A key message of the presentation was the importance of reliable and systematic data for developing effective public policies.
Without accurate information, it is impossible to properly assess community needs, design meaningful interventions, measure policy outcomes, or effectively address inequality.
As an example of an evidence-based approach, Yulian Kondur presented the initiative “Social Atlas of Roma Communities in Zakarpattia”, which supports policy development through data collection and the principle of “Nothing about Roma without Roma”.
The Voice of Roma Communities at the European Level
International discussions such as Roma Week create valuable opportunities to exchange experiences, identify common challenges, and develop solutions that promote inclusion, equality, and participation across Europe.
For Ukraine, it is essential that the voices of Roma communities are heard not only at the national level but also within European institutions, particularly in the context of EU integration and post-war recovery.
Learn more about the work of ERGO Network and the Roma Week initiative:
ERGO Network.
#Chirikli #RomaCommunity #HumanRights #RomaWeek #EUIntegration #RomaWomen