The Roma community in Albania has made significant progress toward democratic participation and social inclusion in recent years. A pivotal milestone was the official recognition of Roma as a national minority through the enactment of Law No. 96/2017 on the Protection of National Minorities in the Republic of Albania, adopted on October 13, 2017. This legislation was a crucial step in acknowledging the rights and identity of the Roma population within the country.
Additionally, on November 18, 2021, the Albanian government adopted the National Action Plan for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation of Roma and Egyptians in Albania (2021-2025). This comprehensive plan aimed to bridge the gap in access to quality public services between the Roma and Egyptian communities and the majority population, with a focus on education, employment, healthcare, and housing.
The Role of Roma Versitas Albania
Roma Versitas Albania (RVA) is a non-governmental organization established in 2016, dedicated to supporting Roma students throughout their educational journey. Our mission is built upon four main pillars: education, employment, participation, and social inclusion. By providing guidance and assistance, we aim to empower Roma students to become independent, educated, and engaged members of society who contribute meaningfully to their communities.
One of the most notable initiatives was the Barvalipe School Albania, the first program of its kind in the country, designed to cultivate future community leaders among Roma youth. The program was structured around three key objectives:
- Building a sense of collective purpose and empowerment.
- Enhancing leadership confidence and abilities.
- Providing a supportive community to sustain leadership development.
Participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum that included studying Roma history to foster pride and confidence, learning about collective action through government and grassroots organizing, and exploring the role of non-governmental organizations in advocacy and policy-making.
Advancing Political Participation
To further strengthen Roma political engagement, Roma Versitas Albania has been instrumental in advancing political participation through its Roma Political School initiative. This program offered comprehensive training across six modules, covering topics such as the rule of law, political systems, advocacy, and artivism. In its most recent cycle, 21 Roma and non-Roma youth successfully completed the program, receiving certification after an enriched curriculum that combined theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Participants also took part in study visits and mentored group projects, further strengthening their political and leadership skills.
Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain in achieving meaningful political representation. As of recent assessments, there is no political party in Albania led by Roma individuals or dedicated explicitly to representing Roma interests. This highlights the ongoing need for initiatives that promote genuine political inclusion beyond tokenistic representation.
For instance, the Socialist Party’s “Deputeti Që Duam” (The MP We Want) initiative initially saw a well-known Roma activist publicly express his intention to run in the May 11 parliamentary elections, followed by another Roma candidate. Despite his strong public activism, community engagement, and recognized leadership on Roma-related issues, he was ultimately not included on the candidate list. However, the other candidate was selected, once again demonstrating that, regardless of one’s dedication to representing the community, the final decision rests with the political party leadership.
History has repeatedly shown that major political parties continue to utilize Roma candidates not for genuine representation, but often for symbolic purposes. This latest example reinforces the pattern—Roma candidates are frequently selected to serve specific interests, only to be sidelined once their role has been fulfilled.
However, I sincerely hope that the upcoming May 11 elections will mark a turning point, breaking this cycle and paving the way for true political inclusion.
A Call for True Representation
While progress has been made, much work remains to ensure full and effective political participation for the Roma community in Albania. We can no longer accept empty promises and political indifference toward Roma inclusion. The time has come for the Roma community to have a real voice in decision-making. If the Roma are not included in shaping policies that affect them, then those making decisions on their behalf must reconsider their approach.
True democracy requires the active and meaningful participation of all communities. The Roma community in Albania deserves not just to be acknowledged but to be heard, respected, and represented at all levels of decision-making.
* Delivered by the Executive Director of Roma Versitas Albania, Mr. Emiliano Aliu, during the 19th meeting of the Council of Europe Dialogue with Roma and Traveller civil society.