The closing event of the project #WinforVET in Albania
? The closing event of the project #WinforVET in Albania comprised four discussion panels. Here is a summary of the key speakers of the 1st panel.
✍️ Mr. Redjepali Chupi, Co-Director of the Roma Education Fund (REF), introduced the REF’s work and impact over the years, including supporting 8’000 Roma students across Europe and providing 406 scholarships?? in Albania ??. REF has shifted its focus to building resilient communities through education. Challenges related to discrimination and segregation based on ethnicity still persist.
?? Mrs. Etleva Kikina, Interim Head of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) Office in Tirana, highlighted ADA’s support for good governance, integral water management, and Vocational Education and Skills. The WinForVET project exceeded expectations despite post-COVID-19 challenges. REF is a strategic donor for Roma Versitas Albania, ensuring continuous support for their educational work and transition to employment. ?
? Mrs. Irena Mitro, a Ministry of Health and Social Protection representative, stressed the importance of integrating the Roma and Egyptian communities. A follow-up tracking system should be established for those who have completed vocational education and entered the workforce. ?Maintaining effective data tracking and addressing interconnected issues are challenges. Roma students show potential, and advocacy is vital. Roma Versitas Albania has made significant contributions.
? In conclusion, collaboration with national and local institutions in Albania is encouraged, partnerships are crucial, and a holistic approach is necessary to address the needs of Roma communities.
? The 2nd panel brought together vocational education training staff representatives. This panel was moderated by Mrs. Marsela Taho, REF focal point in Albania.
?Mr. Alket Merdanaj, Director of the Shkolla e mesme profesionale “Rakip Kryeziu” Fier, highlighted their positive and equal treatment of pupils. Many Roma students from their school have gone on to attend university and secure good jobs. While institutions provide support through policies like free textbooks and VET scholarships, WinForVET’s additional assistance is valuable. The main challenge is raising community awareness about education.
? Mr. Ergys Laho, from Shkolla e Mesme Teknologjike “Hysen Çela” Durrës, emphasized their school’s equal approach to all pupils. Roma students excel, especially in Food Technology, and might have fair enrollment opportunities at the Agriculture University of Tirana. ?Efforts are needed to attract more Roma students, particularly from the Shkozet District, and identify their needs. Teachers should also receive training on Roma-related topics.??
? Mr. Behexhet Kafexhiu, from the Development Unit of Shkolla e Mesme Profesionale “Ali Myftiu”, shared statistics on their 132 pupils from both national minorities. He believes these students will become highly skilled professionals. One alumnus from the community is even studying in Estonia. ??Albania’s future looks promising when investing in the young generation. Greater sustainability is ensured by combining existing resources and policies with project support and strong career orientation.?
? ?Many thanks to these VET schools and to many of those that could not attend personally for the support they offered during the implementation of our project.
? In the third panel of the closing event of WinForVET, a few other distinguished partners shared their inputs and insights about the project.
? Mrs. Aida Kureta from the National Agency for Employment and Skills highlighted their role in vocational education, training, and employment, emphasizing the considerable participation rate among Roma. The issue of education criteria for skills centres was addressed. She expressed enthusiasm for upcoming projects but stressed the need for support from civil society organizations.
✒️Mr. Piro Xheblati, General Director of Social Services in Berat, noted the significant impact of the WinForVET project on Berati Municipality. Local and central institutions worked together, and the Municipality approved the Local Development Plan for the Community. 56% of scholarships in VET are allocated to Roma and Egyptians. There is increasing interest in vocational education and skills, and the Municipality fully subsidizes preschool education.
?Ms. Briselda Reme, a local mentor in Tirane, called for extensive short-term courses and emphasized the project’s aim to inspire young Roma pupils to invest in their communities.
?Mrs. Luiza Hykaj, an Animal Vet Hospital administrator in Fier, discussed our cooperation and the progress of a Roma girl intern at the clinic. We supported the internship of one of our beneficiaries there.
?In the final panel, young participants shared their experiences with the project. ?
? Sara, who attends the cuisine and tourism branch, praised the project’s support. She suggested increasing the scholarship provision. She would have to choose between school or a full-time job if it was not for such support.
? Erisa, who interned at the Social Service Department in Berat with the project internship support scheme, praised the project’s components and recommended the same scholarship increase.
? Nurjada expressed great satisfaction with the project’s support for VET school students.
? Zarif, a young Roma adult, was supported with a short-term course. Later, he went abroad but returned, was offered an internship by the project, and now works two jobs, including one in a car workshop.
? Elhami, one of the project’s top pupils, values the support and suggests organizing more social activities to foster social cohesion among young Roma pupils.
As part of an academic presentation held in memory of Marcel Courthiade, I reflected on his lasting contribution to Romani studies and to the rethinking of the relationship between language, identity, and knowledge production.
His work challenged traditional research paradigms by shifting the focus from studying Roma communities as objects of research toward recognizing them as active producers of knowledge. Through the concept of pluricentric standardization and his understanding of the Romani language as cultural capital, he contributed to the academic and institutional recognition of minority languages across Europe.
His legacy remains central to contemporary Romani studies, reminding us that language is never neutral. It is closely connected to power, representation, and epistemic justice.
A scholarly tribute to a researcher whose work reshaped both the field of Romani studies and the way inclusion is understood within knowledge production.
Today we marked International Roma Day by presenting the 2026–2030 Action Plan for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation.
Institutions, international partners, civil society, and community representatives came together to move from policy to real implementation. The focus is clear: equal opportunities, dignity, participation, and measurable change for Roma and Egyptian communities.
Grateful to everyone contributing to dialogue, cooperation, and shared responsibility for a more inclusive society.
We are pleased to introduce the first episode of Voice of Remembrance, a podcast series developed within the MemoryKeepers project, aiming to promote remembrance and combat the denial and distortion of Samudaripen – the Roma Holocaust.
The podcast creates a space for dialogue and reflection through the voices of activists, educators, and young Roma leaders, contributing to preserving historical memory and raising awareness about Roma history, culture, and lived experiences.
In this first episode, we welcome Donald Myrteli, representative of ternYpe – International Roma Youth Network, discussing the role of youth and youth organizations in promoting remembrance and keeping the memory of Samudaripen alive across Europe.
🎧 Voice of Remembrance brings stories, reflections, and experiences that help us understand the past while contributing to a more just and inclusive society.
▶️ Full episode coming soon on our YouTube channel.
📌 Produced within the MemoryKeepers project, implemented by Symplexis and funded by the European Union.
🇦🇱📘 Roma Education Fund prezantoi manualin “Practical Guide for Roma Youth Empowerment and Leadership”, për fuqizimin e të rinjve romë në Shqipëri.
🎤 Hapja u bë nga Drejtori Ekzekutiv Emiliano Aliu dhe Marsela Taho – Country Facilitator, të cilët theksuan rëndësinë e manualit në mentorim, lidership dhe zhvillimin e të rinjve.
🧩 Pjesë e aktivitetit ishin edhe punëtori interaktive nga Franko Veliu, ku u diskutuan sfidat e të rinjve romë dhe rëndësia e aftësive të jetës dhe lidershipit rinor.
👩🎓👨🎓 Morën pjesë përfitues nga programet SEC dhe TER, si dhe partnerë të Roma Versitas Albania, duke krijuar një hapësirë bashkëpunimi dhe dialogu.
✨ RVA mbetet e përkushtuar për të mbështetur të rinjtë romë përmes arsimit, mentorimit dhe iniciativave që nxisin lidershipin dhe zhvillimin e tyre.
🇬🇧📘 Roma Education Fund presented the “Practical Guide for Roma Youth Empowerment and Leadership”, to strengthen education and empowerment opportunities for Albanian Roma youth.
🎤 Opening remarks by Emiliano Aliu and Marsela Taho highlighted the guide’s role in mentoring, leadership, and youth development.
🧩 Interactive workshops, led by Franko Veliu, explored youth challenges, mentoring, life skills, and leadership.
👩🎓👨🎓 Beneficiaries from SEC and TER programs and RVA partner organizations joined, creating a space for dialogue and collaboration.
✨ RVA is committed to supporting Roma youth through education, mentoring, and initiatives that promote leadership, inclusion, and personal growth.
🇪🇺 Funded by the EU Commission – DG ENEST, implemented by REF Romania & REF Serbia.
📢 THIRRJE PËR LEKTORË – MËSIM ONLINE & PEER-TO-PEER
Roma Versitas Albania po kërkon lektoeë për projektet: 🎓 “Rritja e Performancës dhe Punësimit të Nxënësve Romë në Shkollat e Mesme në Shqipëri (SEC-ALB-03)” 🎓 “Rritja e Qasjes dhe Pjesëmarrjes së Nxënësve Romë në Arsimin e Lartë dhe Kalimi në Tregun e Punës (TER-ALB-03)”
💡 Pozicioni: Tutor/Lektoe (Mësim Online dhe Peer-to-Peer) 🗓 Periudha: Nëntor 2025 – Korrik 2026 📩 Aplikimet pranohen gjatë gjithë vitit akademik 2025–2026, deri në plotësimin e pozicioneve
Nëse ke përvojë në mësimdhënie, tutorim apo mbështetje akademike dhe dëshiron të ndihmosh nxënësit romë e egjiptianë të përmirësojnë rezultatet dhe të arrijnë sukses në shkollë — kjo është mundësia jote.
📚 Lëndët përfshijnë: Matematikë, Gjuhë dhe Letërsi Shqipe, Anglisht, Fizikë, Kimi, Biologji, ICT, dhe lëndë të tjera të shkollave të mesme apo universitare sipas nevojës së nxënësve apo studentëve përfitues të këtyre projekteve.
Financuar nga Komisioni Evropian dhe zbatuar nga REF Rumania, REF Serbia dhe Roma Versitas Albania. #RomaVersitasAlbania #ThirrjeEHapur #Tutor #Arsim #REF #EducationForAll #RARE #euprojects
Roma Versitas Albania po kërkon mentorë për projektet: 🎓 “Rritja e Performancës dhe Punësimit të Studentëve Romë në Shkollat e Mesme në Shqipëri (SEC-ALB-03)” 🎓 “Rritja e Aksesit dhe Pjesëmarrjes së Studentëve Romë në Arsimin e Lartë dhe Kalimi i tyre në Tregun e Punës (TER-ALB-03)”
💡 Pozicioni: Mentor (Mentorim Online dhe Ndërmjetësim me Bashkëmoshatarë) 🗓 Kohëzgjatja: Nëntor 2025 – Korrik 2026 📩 Afati i aplikimit: 16 Nëntor 2025
Nëse ke përvojë në mësimdhënie, beson në fuqinë e arsimit për të ndryshuar jetë dhe dëshiron të mbështesësh të rinjtë romë në rrugëtimin e tyre akademik – ky është roli i duhur për ty.
Financuar nga Komisioni Evropian dhe zbatuar nga REF Rumania, REF Serbia dhe Roma Versitas Albania. #RomaVersitasAlbania #ThirrjeEHapur #Mentorim #Arsim #REF #EducationForAll #RARE #euprojects
📢 Janë hapur aplikimet për programin “Bursë dhe Zhvillim Akademik 2025–2026” për studentët Romë dhe Egjiptianë 🎓
Ky program, në kuadër të projektit TER-ALB-03, mbështet studentët në Bachelor, Master dhe PhD në universitetet e akredituara në Shqipëri – duke ofruar mbështetje financiare, akademike dhe profesionale.
📍 Qytetet: Tiranë, Elbasan, Korçë, Vlorë, Gjirokastër dhe Shkodër (Vajzat mund të aplikojnë edhe nëse jetojnë jashtë këtyre rretheve)
🎯 Kush mund të aplikojë: Studentë Romë dhe Egjiptianë të regjistruar për vitin akademik 2025–2026.
💶 Programi ofron: • Bursë deri në 800 €, bazuar në mesatare • Mentorime dhe leksione individuale • Kurse online në gjuhë angleze e aftësi digjitale • Pjesëmarrje në Akademinë Rome dhe seminare zhvillimi personal • Mundësi për praktika të paguara dhe bashkëpunime me kompani e institucione
🗓 Afati i aplikimit: 14 Nëntor 2025, ora 20:00 📩 Apliko tani në linkun: 👉 Vizitoni websiten: www.rvalb.org
Mos e humb këtë mundësi për të investuar në arsimimin dhe të ardhmen tënde! 🌟
This project is funded by the European Commission through DG ENEST (Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood)🤝 and implemented by REF Romania and REF Serbia.
📢 Janë hapur aplikimet për programin “Bursë dhe Zhvillim Akademik 2025–2026”, që mbështet nxënësit Romë dhe Egjiptianë të shkollave të mesme dhe profesionale në Shqipëri!
Programi ofron: 💶 Bursë mujore prej 50 € 🎓 Mentorime dhe kurse online për maturën 🌐 Trajnime në aftësi digjitale dhe gjuhë angleze 🤝 Mundësi për praktika, rrjetëzim dhe zhvillim personal
📍 Qytetet: Tiranë, Berat, Elbasan, Korçë dhe Fier (Vajzat mund të aplikojnë edhe jashtë këtyre rretheve)
🧾 Afati i fundit i aplikimit: 14 Nëntor 2025, ora 20:00 📩 Mos e humb këtë mundësi për të ndërtuar të ardhmen tënde! Vizito website www.rvalb.org
This project is funded by the European Commission through DG ENEST (Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood)🤝 and implemented by REF Romania and REF Serbia.
🌟 Dita Ndërkombëtare e të Rinjve! Sot festojmë energjinë, talentin dhe ëndrrat e të rinjve rom dhe egjiptian. Le të thyejmë barrierat, të ndjekim ëndrrat dhe të tregojmë se roli ynë në shoqëri ka rëndësi! 💪🌍
#DitaEBoteroreERinise #Rinia #Rom #Egjiptiane #EArdhmjaJone -- 🌟 International Youth Day! Today we celebrate the energy, talent, and dreams of Roma and Egyptian youth. Let’s break barriers, chase our dreams, and show that our role in society matters! 💪🌍
