The first International Training of the RomaRise project took place between 10–12 October 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, hosted at ImpactHub Budapest, Bura Galéria, and the UCCU Foundation.
The event brought together 40 young Roma activists and project partners from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, and Romania for three inspiring days of collaboration, learning, and exchange. This was the first in-person meeting for most participants, providing a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections and build a sense of community within the RomaRise network.
Throughout the sessions, participants explored topics such as Roma youth participation, identity, and activism, while engaging in storytelling workshops, discussions with Roma changemakers, and cultural activities like an urban walk through Budapest’s Roma heritage sites.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, participants highlighted the value of cultural exchange, learning from one another’s experiences, and gaining new tools for community engagement and empowerment. Suggestions for future modules included more sessions on Roma representation, decision-making, and strategies for collaboration between Roma and non-Roma communities.
All participants completed an online feedback questionnaire, the results of which will guide the planning of upcoming training modules.
This event marked an important milestone in building the next generation of Roma leaders and strengthening transnational cooperation for inclusion and equality.
