The Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization organized a presentation of the results of seven local Roma initiatives within the project "Empowering local Roma organizations", which were implemented throughout the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The event was held on May 7, 2025 in Novi Sad, with the aim of presenting the concrete contributions of local associations to the improvement of education, health, culture and civic participation of the Roma community.

The initiatives were financially supported by the Hoffnung für Osteuropa (Hope for Eastern Europe) program and Diakonie Württemberg from Germany, and each of them was designed and implemented in response to the specific needs of the Roma population in local environments.

The projects were implemented in the municipalities of Bačka Palanka (Tovariševo), Novi Sad, Bečej (Bačko Gradište), Novi Bečej, Kovilj and Ruma, and focused on improving the educational level, health literacy, cultural visibility and greater participation of Roma in decision-making processes. Each initiative received a grant of up to a maximum of 150,000 RSD.

Featured initiatives and organizations:
1. UG "Čarain" Tovariševo - the project "We Have Our Own Culture Too" promoted cooperation between the Roma community and cultural institutions, with the organization of 10 educational workshops and exhibitions at the Bačka Palanka Museum on the occasion of Mother Language Day.
2. Women's Association "Educational Center of Young Hopes", Novi Sad - through the project "Professional Orientation for Eighth and Seventh Grade Students with a Focus on Roma Girls", 12 workshops and individual consultations were implemented for students and parents, which increased motivation and awareness of secondary school options.
3. Women's Association "Romena", Novi Sad - the project "The Path to Knowledge through Reading and Writing" enabled 24 workshops for students of the "Dušan Radović" Elementary School, where all participants mastered the basics of reading and writing, which significantly contributed to their school success.
4. Roma Association Novi Bečej – through the project “Coexistence in Diversity”, an exhibition “Roma Culture Day” was organized, which included a display of Roma costumes, children’s drawings and a documentary film about the fight against arranged marriages, with the aim of increasing the cultural and social visibility of Roma women.
5. Association “Development of the Roma Community”, Kovilj – the project “Health Education for Young Roma in Kovilj” brought together 60 young people aged 15–25 in 12 workshops and sports activities, promoting a healthy lifestyle and mental health, including cooperation with a local boxing club.
6. Humanitarian Association “Đina”, Bačko Gradište – the project “Promoting the Participation of Roma Women and Men in Decision-Making Processes at the Local Level” trained 20 participants for active participation in local policies, while 60 Roma women and men participated in focus groups that contributed to the development of a set of recommendations for the inclusion of marginalized groups.
7. Roma Association Ruma – through the project “Roma Voice towards Knowledge”, workshops were organized in secondary schools of the municipality of Ruma for 60 Roma students and their parents, which raised awareness of the importance of education and reduced obstacles to continuing education.

The projects showed the significant potential of local Roma organizations to contribute to the improvement of education, culture, health and participation in the community.
Special recognition was given to the institutions that were open to cooperation and enabled the implementation of activities – primary and secondary schools, the City Library of Novi Sad, the City Museum of Bačka Palanka and other partners who contributed to the successful implementation of the projects.