Stay TUNED
StS_Call_for_applidocx_EN_HRA.pdfCall for applications for Study Session “Tackling discrimination, racism, oppression and exclusion of young Roma women – youth work for empowerment and active participation”
European Youth Network HUMAN RIGHTS IN ACTION in Cooperation with the Department of Youth and Sport at the Council of Europe
When: 24 – 28 November 2025. Participants should arrive on the 23rd and leave on the 29th of November 2025.
Where: European Youth Centre, Budapest, Hungary.
What: A study session is a 5-day European youth training course, designed with the support of the Council of Europe’s Youth Department. Study sessions depart from traditional courses by using youth-friendly non-formal education to encourage participants to share their experiences, stories and expertise on a given issue.
The Study Session will contribute to preventing and counteracting discrimination, to allow the democratic participation of all young people, including Roma youth and specially – young Roma women. This way, the discussion on European and local youth work for Roma women inclusion will strengthen social cohesion, respect for diversity and human rights, inclusiveness and equity.
The working methods will include developing intercultural competences and detecting, preventing and combating all forms of discrimination, taking an inter-sectional approach, and enhancing the participation of young Roma women as specifically vulnerable group of young people with fewer opportunities. Throughout this Study Session, inclusive youth work and the participation and inclusion of young Roma women, will be promoted, including by improving the social and cultural accessibility of the youth sector's instruments and communication channels.
The aim of this Study Session is to empower young people and youth organizations working on Roma inclusion to create inclusive European societies that embrace and celebrate diversity; where inter-sectional experiences of young Roma women are lived and valued through multi-faceted respect for multiculturalism and human rights. Furthermore, it will encourage participants from different backgrounds and diverse personal experiences to support young Roma women in claiming, exercising, and defending their human rights through civic participation and human rights activism.
Objectives
- To increase participants’ awareness and knowledge about the concepts of Romaphobia, antigypsyism, sexism and other forms of discrimination, including the work of the CoE in these fields; as well as to promote an understanding on the importance of gender dimension in tackling Roma exclusion
- To empower participants with sets of youth work tools and instruments that could come handy in addressing discrimination through human rights education, advocacy and collaborative youth project writing.g knowledge and skills with their peers and local communities to promote inclusive and participatory activities for young Romani women.
- To promote European Youth Networking, engaging participants in cooperative processes and teamwork for the achievement of the common goals of the European human rights movement; enhancing European youth networking, cooperation and leadership between Roma young people and non-Roma youth to work together on human rights promotion and prevention from discrimination and exclusion of young Roma women in Europe.
- To empower participants to become change-makers and multipliers: to nurture leadership skills and values, and to facilitate and empower Roma young women`s participation in democratic life; as well as to support participants to act as multipliers by sharing knowledge and skills with their peers and local communities to promote inclusive and participatory activities for young Roma women.
Who should apply:
- Under 30 years old; only a small portion of places are available for people over 30.
- Living in a Council of Europe member state.
- Persons working with Roma young people
- Youth workers committed to Roma women empowerment
- Current representatives of organizational members of the “Human Rights in Action – Europe” Network
- Roma community members and Roma rights activists, working or willing to work on young Roma women inclusion and participation●Women rights activists, interested to work on Roma women inclusion and participation
- Able to communicate in English
- Enthusiastic, energetic, and prepared to engage in non-formal education.
- Willing to share what they have learned in their organizations and communities following the study session
Application process: Online applications are now open and will close on 10 October 2025.
Applicants will be notified if they have been selected or not by 20 of October. 25 participants will be selected based on the following criteria:
●Motivation
●Experience working with Roma young people
●Understanding of human rights-based approaches to inclusion and participation of young Roma women and girls
●Previous experience in the Roma community outreach, advocacy or human rights campaigns; or specifically related to Roma women participation, is not necessary but will be welcomed.
●Geographic, gender and age balance
A special attempt will be made to select participants with different professional and personal backgrounds, to ensure diversity in the group.
Application form: https://forms.gle/8YHrYkrJC56TktwPA
Costs: Travel, accommodation and meal costs will be covered by the Council of Europe; a €50 registration fee will be charged for participants, which will be deducted from the travel expenses reimbursement. For more information, please contact the Course Director, Konstantinos Sardelis, at neadinetwork@gmail.com
We currently experience the most severe crisis of human rights and democracy globally and in Europe since the end of World War II. Armed conflicts, violence, terrorism, religious fundamentalism, extremism, radicalism, new authoritarianism, racism, fascism and similar forms of intolerance endanger the architecture of peace, development and human rights on which the world order after World War II has been built.
Globalisation driven by neoliberal market policies lead to global economic and financial crises, growing economic inequality, climate change, global injustice, corruption, organised crime, global migration and unrested power of transnational corporations which foster a climate of fear and insecurity, the ideal breeding ground for radicalisation and extremism.
This is the time when we need to stand up and defend human rights and democracy in Europe and worldwide.
We are young people of all races, ethnicities, cultural and social backgrounds. We believe in universality and indivisibility of human rights; in participatory democracy that provides freedom and equality for all.
Each individual is entitled to human rights. Human rights are always and everywhere applicable, including at times of conflict or crisis. All human rights are equally important to ensure human dignity, whether civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Human rights are at the core of both EU internal and external action and policy.
Democracy, development, rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
We strive for build democratic societies that:
- is a pluralistic system of political parties and organisations;
- provides separation of powers;
- the independence of the judiciary;
- transparency and accountability in public administration;
- free, independent and pluralistic media.
- preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of all individuals;
- achieve social justice;
- foster the economic and social development of the community;
- strengthen the cohesion of society;
- enhance national tranquility; and
- create a climate that is favourable for international peace.
Today, after a period of increased democratisation around the world, many democracies appear to be backsliding. Some Governments are deliberately weakening independent checks on their powers, suffocating criticism, dismantling democratic oversight and ensuring their long-term rule, with negative impact on people’s rights.
Our mission in Human Rights in Action Network is to raise awareness among citizens and educate them on their human rights and on the rights of everyone else in their communities; to empower them as active citizens, who can shape their own future in free and equal European societies.