Connecting Cultures, Building Future - Empowerment of Roma through Sport

ongoing

Roma communities represent one of the largest and most marginalized ethnic groups in Europe. Despite being part of European societies for centuries, Roma people continue to face significant barriers to social inclusion, including discrimination, poverty, limited access to education and employment opportunities, and inadequate healthcare. These challenges are often supported by deeply entrenched stereotypes, cultural prejudices, and systemic exclusion. Young Roma, in particular, experience the consequences of this, which can affect their social, cognitive, and physical development. Sports, as a universal language and a tool for building bridges across cultures, offer a unique opportunity to promote inclusion and diversity, fostering mutual understanding and respect between Roma and non-Roma children and youth. Association of Roma Prokuplje (DRP) – Serbia, together with its partners Hate Fighters Network (HFN) – Srbija, ATDD – Romania, Educator – Czech Republic, Roma Informational Center (RIC) – Slovenija i Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI) – North Macedonia, would like to implement project “Connecting Cultures, Building Future - Empowerment of Roma through Sport” in order to address discrimination and segregation of young Roma people in participating countries. General aim To foster the social inclusion of Roma children and youth by transformative power of sports for integration, combating intolerance and discrimination, and supporting their holistic development. Specific objectives • To develop innovative methodologies for integration for Roma children and youth • To promote social inclusion through joint sports activities between Roma and non-Roma children and youth • To facilitate intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding between Roma and non-Roma children and youth • To engage families, coaches and teachers in intercultural networking • To create opportunities for international networking and exchange