WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER
Join the Roma Youth Development Platform and change the world together!
Participating organizations
Independent participants
The desire to change
WHO ARE WE?
We are a community of organizations and active people united by a common goal: the development of Roma youth, their rights and opportunities. Together we work to ensure that Roma youth have access to quality education, cultural enrichment, professional development and can realize themselves on equal terms in modern society.
MISSION
Promote the development of Roma youth by supporting activism, education and professional growth, as well as protecting their rights and cultural heritage. Ensure equal opportunities for every member of the community by combating discrimination
MEMBERS
We are happy to open our doors to new members and organizations that want to join our coalition. Today, we consist of 3 founding organizations and 7 individual members, and we look forward to working with you in the future.
AREAS OF OUR WORK
Strengthening the community
We create conditions for Roma to participate in society by strengthening their selforganization. An important component is to support initiatives that promote youth interaction.
Popularization of Roma culture
We work to preserve and promote the unique Roma heritage through events, art and media. Our goal is to show the richness of Roma culture.
Protecting the rights of young people
Our Coalition promotes equality of opportunities for Roma youth in all spheres of life. We provide support in defending the rights and creating conditions for the development of young activists.
Strategy and planning
We encourage young people to acquire knowledge by offering trainings, educational programs and awareness campaigns. Education is the key to personal growth and new opportunities.
By joining us, you will become part of a large community that is building a better future for Roma youth. You will be able to join projects, influence change, participate in international programs and become part of important initiatives.
CO-FOUNDERS
TETIANA STOROZHKO
Head of TENET NGO, co-founder of the Coalition
Our platform works to provide opportunities for young people, promote the ideas of inclusion and equality, and we are happy to be part of a team that strives to make society better. The Coalition is about partnership, shared values, and the belief that together we can achieve
more.
ARTUR IVANENKO
Chairman of the NGO “KYRS”, co-founder of the Coalition
As a Roma youth organization, KYRS sees this partnership as a chance not only to expand the horizons of our initiatives, but also to jointly influence changes in society. Together we are creating a platform that builds a future where everyone has a chance to realize their potential.
KOSTIANTYN MUSENKO
Head of the NGO “Terne Bersha”, co-founder of the Coalition
We understand how important it is to involve young Roma in activism. Our team started without support, it was difficult. We created the Coalition so that young people who are just starting out on the path of activism could have someone to consult and ask for help.
VIRA DRANHOI
Co-founder and member of the Coalition
Being an activist means being a leader, leading, teaching, motivating, becoming an example
for others, and creating change. We are ready to work on projects that help improve the situation in the Roma community. Our Coalition should support the potential and provide opportunities.
RUSLAN DRANHOI
Deputy Head of the NGO “VPLYV”, Co-founder of the Coalition
Being an active public figure means not only changing the reality around you, but also inspiring others to act. Roma in Ukraine have the right to a decent life, equal opportunities and development, and our joint work is aimed at this. The Coalition is a space to support initiatives, strengthen the voice of the community and create real change. We strive not only to talk about problems, but also to find effective solutions.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
PLATFORM MEMBERS
Independent members of the Coalition are people whose professional experience helps to strengthen our joint initiatives. Their ideas and active stance contribute to the development of the Coalition and the achievement of our goals. Meet the people behind new approaches and innovative solutions!
ZINAIDA PROKOPENKO
Roma activist, blogger who has managed to build an audience on social media around the fight against stereotypes. She is passionate about creative projects and strives to realize her potential in working with content.
ALADAR GORVAT
Roma activist, deputy head of the NGO “Transcarpathian Regional Roma Association Romani Cherhen”. The organization supports the Roma community through youth development, assistance in documenting personal and legal affairs. He notes that their goal is to strengthen the community, preserve the cultural heritage and promote the active participation of Roma in public life.
KSENIA KONDENKO
Roma activist, medical doctor, interested in non-formal education. She believes that in the future the Roma community in Ukraine will become even more united and cohesive.
VOLODYMYR SHCHERBAKOV
An activist, mediator, and interpreter from the Roma language. He strives to raise awareness of Roma about their history and language. One of Volodymyr’s main goals is to change the prejudiced attitude towards the Roma community.
LEONID ROTA
Roma activist, lawyer by training. He is interested in international law and social processes, but currently focuses on Roma ethnography. Despite the lack of specialized education, he is actively developing in this field and is open to new opportunities.
ELVIRA ANTONENKO
Roma activist who is convinced that one of the biggest problems of the Roma community is the low level of education. She believes that in the future, the Roma community will destroy stereotypes and myths about themselves.
IHOR ANTONENKO
A Roma activist who is inspired by the opportunity to break down stereotypes about the Roma community through his own actions. He is interested in creating new initiatives, plans to actively participate in projects and develop his leadership skills.
MIKHAIL SHPAKOV
A software engineer with a passion for problem solving, solution finding, and design. In addition to technical work, he enjoys communicating with the public and spreading
knowledge.
OLEXANDR BATSINKO
Roma activist, sees a serious problem in the lack of quality information about the Roma community. He wants to learn how to effectively communicate knowledge about Roma, conduct information campaigns and promote a positive image of the community.
HOW TO JOIN US
Fill out the application
Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you want to join us.
Pass the interview
We will definitely contact you to discuss a time to get to know you better.
You are part of the team
Welcome to the place where they change the world for the better!
The creation of the coalition was made possible with the support of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe. These activities are part of the activities of the NGO “Center for Social Transformation TENET” within the project “Building Resilience: Roma Youth Movement Initiative”, supported by the European Youth Foundation’s Special Circle for Ukraine.
