On December 29, a regional consultation on the Roma Strategy was held in Sumy region.

This marked the seventh and final dialogue — the concluding point of extensive work carried out across seven regions of Ukraine: Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Odesa, Zakarpattia, and Sumy.

Residents of Sumy, like those in other frontline areas, live under constant pressure. The war affects access to services, security, and community stability on a daily basis. Every day brings alarming news from Sumy. In such circumstances, it is extremely difficult to plan for the future or think in sustainable terms, as even meeting people’s basic needs is not always possible.

Despite these challenges, we witnessed strong determination and readiness for cooperation. The dialogue brought together representatives of the Roma community and Roma organizations, specialists from departments of the Sumy Regional Military Administration and the Konotop City Council, social services, local authorities, law enforcement, as well as independent experts. The event opened with remarks by Fatih Resul Kilinc, Programme Specialist on Gender in Humanitarian Action at UN Women Ukraine, alongside Ihor Lossovskyi, Deputy Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Artem Semenikhin, Mayor of Konotop, and Yurii Hladenko, Director of the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Religions of the Sumy Regional Military Administration.

The meeting focused on an in-depth discussion of the local context that must be reflected in the Regional Action Plan for 2026–2028 within the implementation of the Roma Strategy until 2030 in Sumy region. Our team received a substantial amount of valuable information highlighting the specific characteristics and needs of the region.

Following the presentation of the draft action plan, participants jointly developed recommendations across key areas: combating discrimination, access to education and healthcare, housing conditions, social protection, employment, and support for Roma culture and language. The discussion addressed both successful practices in working with Roma communities and areas that require new approaches in light of wartime challenges and evolving community needs.

At the end of the meeting, Anzhelika Bielova, President of Voice of Romni, presented the finalized list of recommendations. Although this series of consultations has concluded, the work in the regions is only just beginning, Anzhelika noted:

“Further steps will include the establishment of coordination groups for the implementation of the Roma Strategy. These groups will include representatives of international organizations and public authorities at both the regional military administration and municipal levels. Importantly, the coordination groups will be chaired exclusively by representatives of Roma civil society organizations. Voice of Romni will take responsibility for fundraising efforts. It is essential for us that Roma communities actively advocate for the effective local implementation of the Roma Strategy. The coordination groups will meet quarterly and report on implemented activities in each region.”

The dialogue in Sumy was implemented by Voice of Romni in cooperation with UN Women Ukraine and the State Service of Ukraine on Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, with the support of the governments of Sweden and Denmark. We sincerely thank our partners for their support and attention to these critical processes. We extend our special thanks to the Association of Roma ZOR and its Head, Maryna Bublyk, for their valuable cooperation in organizing the event in Sumy.

We are also ready to share another important update: Voice of Romni has already begun preparations for the Second National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy. The forum will take place in spring 2026. Stay tuned for updates so you don’t miss the details.