Voice of Memory: Dignity, Support, and Participation of Roma Communities

About the project

Roma communities in Transcarpathia continue to face socio-economic vulnerability, discrimination, and unequal access to social, medical, and legal services. Roma who survived National Socialist persecution and genocide remain particularly vulnerable. For some of them and their descendants, financial hardships are compounded by loneliness, limited mobility, and insufficient access to necessary support.

The project combines direct assistance to individuals with long-term efforts to empower Roma communities. Elderly Roma will receive targeted material and medical support, regular social accompaniment, and consultations. Descendants of genocide survivors and other members of Roma communities will receive legal assistance and support in interacting with state and local institutions.

A dedicated focus will be the preservation of living memory regarding the persecution of Roma during World War II. Regular and intergenerational gatherings, the collection of oral testimonies, public discussions, and the promotion of materials from the "Porrajmos in Transcarpathia" virtual museum will connect support for the older generation with historical education for youth and the broader public.

In parallel, the project will foster Roma civic participation, leadership, and organizational capacity. Training, legal consultations, mentorship, and networking events will help civic activists and organizations better represent the interests of their communities, interact with authorities, develop partnerships, and launch joint initiatives.

Target Audience

The direct beneficiaries of the project are 28 Roma born before May 9, 1945, who suffered from National Socialist persecution and genocide, as well as their descendants and members of Roma communities in Transcarpathia.

Legal, consultative, educational, and civic support will also cover representatives of Roma organizations, civic activists, and volunteers. Teachers, trainers, media representatives, civil servants, and other members of local communities will be involved in activities related to historical education, intercultural dialogue, and the dissemination of knowledge about Roma history.

Partners

Zakarpattia Regional Association of Roma Youth "Luludya"

Expected Results

As a result of the project's implementation, elderly Roma who survived National Socialist persecution and genocide will have more stable access to essential daily support. Regular social accompaniment, targeted assistance, and support in accessing medical and social services aim to reduce the risk of their basic needs remaining unaddressed, strengthening their sense of safety and care.

Descendants of genocide survivors and other members of Roma communities will have better access to legal aid and more opportunities to exercise their rights when engaging with state and local institutions. Systematic consultations and legal support will help reduce practical barriers in accessing services and legal protection mechanisms.

Regular meetings and joint activities will help older generations maintain social connections and reduce feelings of isolation. At the same time, intergenerational meetings and the documentation of oral testimonies will create an opportunity to pass personal stories down to future generations and preserve the living memory of Roma persecution.

The broader public will gain a better understanding of Roma history and the impact of persecution and genocide. Public discussions, educational events, and the dissemination of materials from the "Porrajmos in Transcarpathia" virtual museum will foster a more responsible attitude toward historical memory, promote intergenerational and intercultural dialogue, and reduce room for stereotypes and prejudice.

Roma activists and representatives of non-governmental organizations will enhance their leadership, civic participation, advocacy, and authority engagement skills. Through training, legal guidance, and mentorship support, they will have greater opportunities to participate in decision-making processes, represent the interests of Roma communities, and independently develop new civic initiatives.

Roma organizations will strengthen their managerial, financial, and project management capacity, expanding cooperation among themselves and with non-Roma organizations. New partnerships and joint initiatives will establish a foundation for future resource mobilization and collaborative responses to Roma community needs after the grant funding ends.

In the longer term, combining support for the most vulnerable community members, preserving historical memory, developing a new generation of leaders, and strengthening Roma organizations will contribute to forming more cohesive and capable Roma communities in Transcarpathia that actively protect their members' rights, participate in public life, and collaborate with other stakeholders in local development.