Dialogue sessions to develop recommendations for Regional Action Plans for the implementation of the Roma Strategy are moving forward.

In December, we convened in Odesa to continue this work. This is another region where we closely follow local communities and strive to take into account the context that shapes the daily lives of Roma families.

In Odesa, we brought together those without whom an effective Regional Action Plan cannot be implemented: representatives of regional and city authorities, specialists from relevant departments and social services, law enforcement officers, and Roma leaders.

Over three days, we worked on recommendations for the Odesa Regional Action Plan for 2026–2028. The focus was on current challenges facing communities in wartime, access to legal aid, education and healthcare, housing issues, employment opportunities, social protection, and support for Roma culture. We concentrated on the specific needs that Roma women and men face in the Odesa region.

Odesa lives in extremely difficult conditions: russian shelling, large-scale attacks on infrastructure and power outages, and a shortage of seasonal work — all of this affects every family. In such circumstances, access to basic services, safety, and stability becomes critically important.

Each regional dialogue gives us a deeper understanding of how vulnerable communities live in different parts of the country: where they need support and where they demonstrate remarkable resilience. By the end of the year, we will have developed recommendations for various objectives of the Roma Strategy so that they take into account the risks of war and reflect the context of each region and the needs of Roma communities on the ground.The regional consultation in Odesa was organized by UN Women in Ukraine in cooperation with the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience and  Voice of Romni, with financial support from the Governments of Sweden and Denmark.