Addressing Antigypsyism in the Western Balkans and Türkiye

ERIAC Serbia launched a new initiative on addressing antigypsyism in the Western Balkans and Türkiye with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Union

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture Serbia (ERIAC Serbia) proudly presents its latest initiative: ‘Addressing Antigypsyism and Mainstreaming Roma Issues in the Western Balkans and Türkiye’, implemented within the framework of the Roma Integration – Phase III[1] Joint Programme of the European Union and Council of Europe.

Aligned with ERIAC’s mission, the project “Addressing Antigypsyism and Mainstreaming Roma Issues in the Western Balkans and Türkiye” aims (i) to promote the recognition and addressing of antigypsyism through legislation, communication tools, and institutions. This involves enhancing the capacities of media actors to prevent stereotyping and disseminate relevant media assets; (ii) to strengthen the institutional capacities of public servants on encountering antigypsyism, ultimately aiming to support more inclusive and just society for Roma communities in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. These efforts align with broader initiatives outlined in the “EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020 – 2030”; the Council of Europe Action Plan for Roma and Travellers, the Poznan Declaration, and other international frameworks, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Reduced Inequalities and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The project activities commenced in May 2024 and are scheduled to conclude by May 2025.

By focusing on antigypsyism and mainstreaming Roma issues, the project endeavors to educate and inform both Roma and non-Roma media professional about addressing antigypsyism through content creation, fostering understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect between communities. Additionally, the project seeks to raise awareness among public servants about antigypsyism, building a broad partnership for addressing and combating antigypsyism. Through its focus on combating prejudice, promoting cultural diversity, and advocating for Roma empowerment, the project aligns with ERIAC’s mission to increase the self-esteem of Roma and to decrease negative prejudice of the majority population towards the Roma by means of arts, culture, history, and media.

Through a series of targeted activities, the project aims to:

Enhance the capacities of media actors in preventing stereotyping, producing, and disseminating relevant media assets. This shall be done by designing and providing a Regional 2-day Training for 40 Media Professionals and facilitating a Media Mentoring Program for 7 Roma Professionals;
Strengthen the capacity of public servants to effectively recognize and combat antigypsyism. This will be done by organizing a Regional Online Training Program for Public Servants (particularly those operating on local level) which will be delivered in three modules – a general module; four cross-country modules, including: law enforcement officers’ module, 2. judiciary and legal professionals’ module, 3. school officials’ module, and 4. health professionals’ module; and national modules; and developing an Expert Guidebook on how to recognize antigypsyism in public administration.

For inquiries or further information, please contact Nadja Greku, ERIAC Serbia Program Manager at nadja.greku@eriac.org

Download announcement: Open Call for Training on Transforming Media Narratives on Roma

Disclaimer: This announcement has been produced within the funds of a joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union or the Council of Europe.

[1] The Roma Integration – Phase III project aims to enhance the capacity of governments in the Western Balkans and Türkiye to address challenges faced by the Roma community through comprehensive public policies in crucial areas such as housing, employment, civil registration, and the green and digital transition. It emphasizes mainstreaming Roma issues in relevant public policies, supporting Roma socio-economic integration and equality in various sectors, and reinforcing the institutional capacities of governments to tackle these challenges. The project is implemented in Western Balkans and Türkiye, with the duration of 3 years (1 May 2023- 30 April 2026) and is co-financed by the European Union and Council of Europe and implemented by the Roma and Travellers Division, Council of Europe. For more information, please see the website of Roma Integration – Phase III.