Since 2022, members of the AURA team have played a leading role in organizing the Roma Forum on Ukraine — an annual platform that brings together Roma civil society, Ukrainian authorities, and international partners to ensure Roma inclusion in Ukraine’s democratic future and recovery efforts.
🇩🇪 2022 – Berlin
The first inaugural Roma Forum on Ukraine 2022, held in Berlin, marked a historic moment. Organized amidst the early months of the full-scale war, it provided a critical space for Roma activists and NGOs to unite, assess the emerging needs of Roma communities, and advocate for targeted support from international institutions. Participants emphasized the need for recognition of Roma contributions to Ukraine’s resistance and for addressing longstanding issues of discrimination and exclusion. The event included a conference, training for sivil society, exhibition opening “Catharsis”, documentary theater performance “From Home to Home”.
📽️ Watch the video recap
🇩🇪 2023 – Berlin
On June 14, 2023, the second Roma Forum on Ukraine 2023 included as the main component conference “Roma as Integral Part of Society of Ukraine” was held in Berlin, organized by ARCA and the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma. The event convened representatives from the Ukrainian and German governments, international organizations, and Roma civil society to discuss the inclusion of Roma in Ukraine's recovery and EU integration processes.
A significant outcome of the conference was the presentation of a comprehensive Position Paper developed by Ukrainian Roma civil society organizations. This document outlines key recommendations for Ukrainian authorities and international partners, emphasizing the need to:
The conference underscored the importance of recognizing Roma as an integral part of Ukrainian society and ensuring their active involvement in the country's reconstruction and democratic development.
📄 Position Paper of Ukrainian Roma Civil Society Organisations (PDF)
For the first time, the Roma Forum on Ukraine 2024 was held in Kyiv under the theme of the Conference «Recovery of Ukraine and Prospects of Ukrainian Roma Civil Society». The forum brought together over 80 participants from Ukrainian Roma civil society, state authorities, the EU, embassies, and international organizations.
The event focused on advancing Roma inclusion in Ukraine's recovery and EU accession processes, particularly through dialogue on the implementation of the National Roma Strategy until 2030. Speakers and working groups addressed critical issues such as:
The forum marked a significant step in embedding Roma voices in national reconstruction and democratic development. It was co-organized by ARCA, in cooperation with the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma. A key outcome of the event was the presentation of the updated:
📄 Updated Position Paper of Ukrainian Roma Civil Society Organisations (PDF)
The agenda for the 2025 Roma Forum on Ukraine is currently in development. Details about the event, including date, location, and participation opportunities, will be published soon. Stay tuned!