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ROMA-GEM: From Real Needs to Real Empowerment The ROMA-GEM project has reached a major milestone.

With the successful completion of Work Package 2 (WP2) – Identifying Barriers & Skills Needs, we now move into the most exciting phase of the project: turning research into action through Work Package 3 (WP3) – Empowerment Toolkit: Mentorship & Training for Sustainable, Social Entrepreneurship. This transition marks the moment where the voices of Roma girls become concrete learning opportunities, mentoring relationships and pathways to economic independence.

News from ECO-IN

3.03.2026

What we achieved in WP2

WP2 was the foundation of the entire ROMA-GEM project. Through Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), partners worked directly with Roma girls, community members and stakeholders across partner countries to understand:

  • What barriers Roma girls face in education and employment

  • What skills they need to succeed

  • What kind of support actually works in their real lives

This process included:

  • Roma girls aged 14–25

  • Focus groups with Roma girls and community representatives

  • Interviews with stakeholders and experts

  • Peer review and validation by external specialists

As a result, WP2 delivered four key outputs:

  • Needs Analysis Report

  • Mentorship Toolkit

  • A structured framework defining how mentoring relationships should work, what mentors need to support Roma girls, how trust, confidence and goal-setting can be built

  • Training Curriculum

  • Stakeholder Engagement Framework

All materials will be translated into national languages and shared through partners’ networks, ensuring accessibility.

What happens now in WP3

WP3 is where research becomes empowerment.

Building on WP2 findings, the project is now developing a complete Empowerment Toolkit that will allow Roma girls to turn their potential into real opportunities.

WP3 will deliver a full Mentorship Toolkit

A practical guide for:

  • Roma girls

  • Community mentors

  • Trainers

It will explain how to build meaningful mentoring relationships that support learning, confidence, entrepreneurship and life planning.

What our followers can expect next

Over the coming months you will see:

  • Launch of the Mentorship Toolkit

  • Publication of the ROMA-GEM Training Curriculum

  • Access to digital learning resources

  • Mentoring and training pilots across partner countries

  • Feedback from Roma girls and mentors

This is where the project moves from listening to acting.

ROMA-GEM is not about creating reports that sit on shelves.

It is about building real pathways for Roma girls to learn, earn and lead.

Stay with us as we take the next step in turning potential into power.