Protection of civil society and the formation of agents of change to strengthen the European course of Ukraine

About the project

The war in Ukraine has caused unprecedented internal displacement, particularly impacting the Roma national minority — one of the most marginalized and excluded groups. Over 80,000 Roma are estimated to be internally displaced persons (IDPs), with about 5,000 finding shelter in Zakarpattia Oblast. Many lack documentation, preventing them from obtaining IDP status, social benefits, and basic service access. The war has exacerbated long-standing anti-Roma biases, poverty, and weakened the fragile infrastructure of Roma communities.

Target Audience

The primary target group includes Roma youth aged 14-35 in Zakarpattia Oblast, as well as leaders and activists of relocated and local pro-Roma civil society organizations requiring legal and advisory support. Indirectly, the project covers local government and executive officials of Zakarpattia Oblast, IDP coordination councils under local authorities, the Roma minority in Zakarpattia, other CSOs, and local media.

Partners

Roma Youth Organization "Luludi"

Expected Results

As a result of the project, relocated Roma public organizations in Zakarpattia will strengthen their institutional capacity: they will streamline legal and organizational issues, establish interaction with local Roma organizations and authorities, and have more opportunities to represent the interests of the Roma community in local coordination mechanisms.

Young Roma men and women, including internally displaced persons, will improve their knowledge and practical skills in human rights, European integration, public advocacy, and digital communications. They will better understand how to represent the interests of their community, formulate proposals for local policies, and participate in decision-making processes.

More sustainable connections will be formed between local and relocated Roma youth for experience exchange, mutual support, and the implementation of joint human rights and public initiatives.

Through dialogue with authorities, Roma youth and public organizations will have more opportunities to influence local decisions regarding Roma integration. Their needs and proposals will be better represented during the development of at least two local policies or regulatory documents.

Public events and informational materials will contribute to better visibility of Roma youth as active participants in public life and to the formation of a more objective understanding of the Roma community's role in Ukraine's democratic development and European integration.