The three-year project of the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization (EHO), supported through the program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), aims to support Roma girls to continue their education and their mothers and/or women in the family to create a supportive family environment for their children.

Support to the group of Roma girls, in a broader sense, contributes to the increase of the number of young Roma women who are in a position to get an education, decide on their future profession, enroll and attend the desired high school and, by personal example, positively influence the younger generations in their environment. Their mothers and/or women in the family, supported through family strengthening project activities, are empowered to be an important support for girls in education so that they do not drop out of school.

Gathered within the "Girls' Club", a group of 10 to 15 girls and their mothers, who come from Roma communities living in Novi Sad and the surrounding areas, are future activists who will continue to influence other girls and women with their positive example and motivating stories from their own and other Roma communities. Participating girls are between the ages of 14 and 16.

The "Girls' Club" is organized and led by one of the highly educated Roma women employed at EHO. Her further advancement and acquisition of new knowledge and skills important for work in the civil sector is also partially supported through this project. Project participants are additionally supported by successful Roma women and successful Roma men who, through visits, socializing and joint activities, can positively influence the motivation and decision of the participants to fight against poverty through education.

Project activities:

• Direct material support to members of the "Girls' Club" and their mothers;
• Workshops, meetings, gatherings;
• Strengthening mutual support among project participants;
• Working with family members to strengthen support and safety for children in the family;
• Meetings and joint activities with successful Roma women and men;

The duration of the project is from February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2027.

Partners: Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA),

Project Coordinator: Slađana Jovanović > sladjana@ehons.org