This program is aimed at survivors of the genocide against the Roma in the Republic of Moldova and in Ukraine. These people frequently live in poverty, are socially excluded and marginalized as well as discriminated against. The EVZ Foundation gives survivors access to existing medical, social and other services. In this way, they and their relatives suffer less material hardship and their health is more stable. They participate in social life and feel valued. Until recently, the survivors of the genocide against the Roma were among the "forgotten victims" of National Socialist persecution. There is hardly any support for them, either in their home countries or internationally.
These objectives are to be achieved with various project activities:
The living conditions of elderly Roma survivors in the Belarusian regions of Gomel, Minsk, Bobruisk and Mogilev are to be improved by material aid such as food, hygiene products, medicines or heating material. Legal advice makes for easier access to health, social and legal services for survivors and their families. Spiritual counseling and an emergency phone help to stabilize their mental health. The dialog between generations and the willingness to help within the Roma community is promoted by historical eyewitness interviews and the deployment of volunteers. Enhanced interaction between the Roma and the majority society as well as a newly established website, increase recognition and respect for the Roma national minority.
The Roma self-organization "Romano Drom" from the Gomel region provides multifaceted support for approximately 80 survivors of the genocide against the Roma in 16 Belarusian municipalities. The young Roma volunteers involved in the project receive training in elderly care and legal matters. Representatives of the majority society meet living historical eyewitnesses, visit public commemoration events and thus learn about the history and culture of the Belarusian Roma.
In recent years, this project sponsor has developed from a small initiative into a professional NGO. It enjoys a high degree of trust among the Roma communities in more and more Belarusian regions. The implementation of the project is the only possibility for the EVZ Foundation – especially in times of pandemic and on account of the difficult political situation – to provide need-based and survival-oriented aid to the elderly Roma.
Project sponsor: Romano Drom
Duration of the project: 2021 - 2023
Funding amount: EUR 55,000
Funding country: Belarus
Didn't find the project or curious to discover more?
Click here for the project finder
Senior Project Manager
Tel.: +49 (0)30 25 92 97-47
E-Mail: valtchuk@stiftung-evz.de