How can support for Roma communities become more effective, and how can decision-making be brought closer to the real needs of people? These were the key questions explored by participants of the National Forum on the Development of Roma Communities through Partnership and Project-Based Solutions, held in Uzhhorod on 29–30 July.

The event brought together representatives of government bodies, international organizations, local self-government, the donor community, expert circles, and the Roma civil society sector. At the center of discussion were the challenges facing Roma communities, and practical solutions that can improve the lives of Roma people.

Voice of Romni was represented at the forum by President Anzhelika Bielova, Executive Director Alina Kusturova, Advocacy Advisor Zinaida Prokopenko, Project Manager Marija Mendzhul, and Regional Coordinator in Kryvyi Rih Olha Kovalchuk.

The first day of the forum was devoted to field visits to communities in Zakarpattia, where Roma people live in compact settlements. Participants saw firsthand the living conditions of local residents and heard directly from the community about their needs and everyday challenges. Meetings like these help build a deeper understanding of the local context — effective solutions are simply not possible without dialogue with people and genuine understanding of their needs.

On the second day, participants gathered at the rectorate of Uzhhorod National University to discuss the development of Roma communities, focusing on education and professional training, housing conditions and infrastructure, and cooperation between communities, the state, and international partners.

“I’m grateful that donor organizations attended, including our partners CARE, ActionAid, the East Europe Foundation, UNDP Ukraine, UNHCR Ukraine, and the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine. It matters greatly that you see the local grassroots organizations working on important social initiatives within our communities. We consistently advocate for funding grassroots Roma organizations. I hope the mission organized by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience will lead to greater funding for local organizations in Zakarpattia as well. We also hope donor priorities will shift geographically — right now, aid is concentrated mostly in front-line territories, but Zakarpattia faces plenty of challenges too. You can see this both in Roma settlements and in the needs of internally displaced people,” said Anzhelika Bielova.

During the panel discussion, Anzhelika presented Voice of Romni’s experience implementing a holistic approach to supporting people from vulnerable groups.

She spoke about professional training for Roma women, the development of social beauty co-working spaces in Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv, and the launch of professional cleaning training alongside the creation of the social enterprise “Romnia Clean Service” in Uzhhorod.

It matters to us to walk alongside Roma women on their entire path to economic independence — from humanitarian support to education, professional development, employment, or starting their own business. This comprehensive approach helps women become financially capable, strengthens their confidence, and creates new opportunities for the whole family. That’s why developing women’s professional education and economic capacity remains one of Voice of Romni’s key areas of work.

The needs of Roma communities vary significantly by region. Our experience working across different parts of Ukraine confirms it: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. State policy, international support, and donor programs need to account for local context and be shaped in partnership with communities.

Thank you to the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience for organizing the forum and creating space for open dialogue. Platforms like this help build new partnerships, amplify the voice of Roma communities, and find solutions with lasting impact.