For us, it was critical to hear their voices directly, to understand the barriers they face and the kind of support they need.

Recently, we shared details about the training Leadership of Roma Women and Girls and Their Participation in Implementing Project Initiatives in Wartime, which took place at Vita Lake. As part of this training, we conducted three focus groups with participants from Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions to better understand how the learning experience influenced Roma women’s self-confidence, their readiness to take action, and their willingness to implement their own initiatives within their communities.

The focus group results provide valuable insights for our further work with this group of women leaders within the framework of the Women Lead in Emergencies project, which we implement with the support of CARE Ukraine.

We are encouraged by the results, Roma women are becoming more motivated and increasingly ready to change their own lives and the lives of their communities. Here are just a few authentic reflections from the participants:

“I am motivated by the desire to change my life and the lives of my children. Life is hard right now, and support is limited. If we do not unite and support one another ourselves, no one will do it for us.”

“With each session, step by step, I feel more confident. At first, I had doubts, but now I feel that I can move this forward. Not just say something to someone, but explain it in a way that people truly understand.”

“I feel that now I can not only dream, but also act. I did it. My dream came true: I completed the courses, and now I have a profession.”

Their sincerity means a great deal to us. They want to change attitudes toward the Roma community, overcome discrimination, take responsibility, and participate in decision-making. For many of them, this experience is entirely new. Yet during the focus groups, we clearly saw how much their self-confidence had grown throughout the training. They understand that they have a voice, their own ideas, and that they are already ready to act.

At the same time, they spoke honestly about the challenges they face. The most common concern was the lack of practical skills: how to write a project proposal, how to develop a budget, how to navigate administrative procedures, and how to secure funding for initiatives:

“Sometimes I lack inner strength. There are moments when I feel I am missing self-support.”

“It can be difficult to make decisions independently because of traditions and hierarchy within the community.”

“Finances are a major barrier. Any initiative requires funding, and the absence of personal resources or donors often slows down the start.”

“To clearly communicate an idea, you first need to understand yourself. We need knowledge to turn our ‘clouds of thoughts’ into a concrete plan.”

That is why we clearly see the next stage of our work as even more practical and focused on helping these women confidently take their first steps in civic engagement. The path toward personal independence and leadership requires significant effort. There is still much work ahead, but one thing is certain: these women have already made their choice and are moving forward with confidence. They want change — for themselves, for their children, and for their communities. And we will stand beside them, ensuring they feel supported at every step.