On November 4–5, the local office of Voice of Romni in Zaporizhzhia hosted a regional dialogue that brought together our team — currently the only Roma NGO operating in the region — alongside representatives of state and local authorities, Roma leaders, and experts.

The joint goal was to ensure that the Regional Action Plan for Zaporizhzhia region for 2026–2028 fully reflects the realities on the ground and meets the actual needs of the local Roma community.

Earlier this year, we held a similar event in Zakarpattia, where participants worked on amendments to the National Action Plan. The dialogue in Zaporizhzhia marks the beginning of a broader series of regional meetings and coordination group sessions that were initiated following the vision adopted by Roma leaders during the National Forum on the Implementation of the Roma Strategy: Valuing Diversity in Kyiv.

“The needs of Roma people vary significantly from region to region. In Zakarpattia, for example, there are challenges related to internally displaced persons, access to education, and segregation — a form of discrimination that divides social groups by race, gender, or other characteristics. In Zaporizhzhia, the focus is often on displacement, property loss caused by russian attacks, and limited access to social services. Our goal is to develop context-specific recommendations that address the most pressing issues faced by the Roma community and ensure they are incorporated into the Regional Action Plan,” said Anzhelika Bielova, President of Voice of Romni.

As the initiators of this dialogue, it was crucial for us to hear directly from those responsible for implementing the Strategy and carrying out its measures in the region. Their practical experience helped identify recurring challenges and ensured these insights were reflected in the new recommendations. Particularly valuable were the contributions of representatives from the Regional Administration and the Municipal Center for Social Services.

“It is a pleasure to work with Voice of Romni, an organization that began here in Zaporizhzhia and has since grown to a national and international level. You maintain direct contact with the Roma community and have access to up-to-date information that we, as government representatives, often lack. Without grassroots initiatives, we cannot effectively respond to the needs and challenges of the Roma community. Voice of Romni serves as a vital bridge between the authorities and the Roma people,” noted Pavlo Myalo, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Tourism, Nationalities, and Religions of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

Vladimir Kukin, Deputy Director of the Zaporizhzhia City Center for Social Services, also stressed the importance of cooperation with civil society organizations that work directly with national minorities and can help make social services more accessible:

“One of the current challenges is identifying the legal status of children affected by the war and armed conflict. Unfortunately, the Roma community is often unaware of this process and therefore doesn’t reach out to us. This means that potential protections or future reparations may bypass them. This is an area where collaboration can truly make a difference,” he said.

During the regional dialogue, participants reviewed the outcomes of the current plan, analyzed the draft National Action Plan for 2026–2028, and discussed its key areas — education, culture, social support, access to services, housing, and participation in decision-making. As a result, we agreed on a list of practical recommendations and outlined the next steps for the regional coordination group.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined this important process. The results of our joint work will guide efforts to support the Roma community in Zaporizhzhia region in the coming years. Similar dialogues are planned in six other regions, as we continue working to ensure that the voices of Roma men and women are heard across Ukraine.