
“National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy. Valuing Diversity” has begun in Kyiv!
Over January 30-31, Roma activists, representatives of civil society organizations, government officials, and international partners will discuss building an inclusive and diverse society, ensuring equal opportunities for Roma women, and their full participation in community life and Ukraine as a whole.
The large-scale event was initiated by the NGO “Union of Roma Women Voice of Romni.” During the forum’s opening, the organization’s president, Anzhelika Bielova, stated:
“I know that Roma organizations in Ukraine, like many others, have gained invaluable experience and knowledge over the past years, particularly in humanitarian response and providing essential services to those affected by the war. I know this because, in nearly three years of war, the Voice of Romni team alone has supported around 106,000 people. Thousands more have been helped by other Roma NGOs, and today, we will hear their voices as well. We must not allow our tremendous efforts on the ground to go unheard. We need to amplify the voices of the Roma community at all levels, including internationally, ensuring that the needs of Roma men and women are integrated into humanitarian response plans and Ukraine’s recovery efforts. The Roma community must not only be heard but actively involved in decision-making processes. That is why WE must unite, take action, and uphold the principle: ‘Nothing for Roma without Roma.’”

Opening the forum, Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olena Kondratiuk, emphasized that the Roma community in Ukraine is officially recognized as a vulnerable population group. As a result, the government developed a strategy for the protection and integration of Roma, which includes measures to address issues such as access to education, employment, healthcare, and documentation challenges. However, the state lacks sufficient funds for the full implementation of this strategy, making the support of international organizations crucial.

According to her, since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 100,000 Roma men and women have become internally displaced persons or refugees who fled abroad. The war has only deepened the vulnerability of Roma communities.
Among the forum’s speakers are Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe; Matias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine; Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine; and other distinguished guests who will share their perspectives and experiences in addressing the challenges faced by the Roma population.
The forum aims to conduct an in-depth review of the community’s needs and establish the structure of the National Coordination Platform to define the responsible parties for implementing the Roma Strategy until 2030.
President of Voice of Romni, Anzhelika Bielova, emphasized that during this event, Roma organizations, particularly Roma women’s organizations, will demonstrate their leadership role. Meanwhile, the government and international partners will reaffirm their support in the fight for equal rights and opportunities for the Roma national community, a crucial criterion in Ukraine’s path toward European Union integration.
@voice.of.romni 📣 У Києві 30-31 січня триває «Національний форум з реалізації Ромської Стратегії. Цінуючи різноманіття». Обговорюємо розбудову інклюзивного та різноманітного суспільства, включення ромських громад до прийняття важливих рішень у державі. #НаціональнийфорумзреалізаціїРомськоїСтратегіїЦінуючиРізноманіття #РомськаСтратегія #ГолосРомні ♬ оригінальний звук – Voice of Romni / Голос Ромні
