Open Society Foundations (OSF) is planning to establish a pan-European Roma independent foundation, which will be the largest Roma foundation in Europe under the leadership of Zeljko Jovanovic, the current director of the OSF Roma Initiatives Office. For the next ten years, OSF will provide funding for this new European Roma Foundation, building upon its existing work.
George Soros, the founder and chairman of OSF, announced this initiative on May 16th, coinciding with International Roma Resistance Day. He expressed his pride in elevating their long-standing commitment and dedication to the Roma community to a higher level. Soros stated, „We will help create a European foundation led by Roma. This is a significant next step in our investment in Roma leaders who are proud of their heritage, dedicated to their community, and capable of addressing the challenges of today. Our support for Roma is one of the activities of my foundation that I am most proud of. We will strive to make this foundation successful. I hope that this promising endeavor will be supported by those who believe in a Europe where equality and justice prevail for all.“
OSF has been a leading non-governmental initiative for the past 30 years, supporting the fight for equality and political engagement of the twelve-million-strong European Roma community.
„We dream, we hope, and we work diligently to achieve this goal. After 30 years of creating programs within OSF to support the status and self-esteem of Roma, we are now ready to build and manage a full-fledged foundation that will operate in all European countries,“ said Jovanovic. The aim is to create a confident Roma organization that amplifies the voice of Roma in the pursuit of justice and equality for all in Europe, supporting Roma political participation.
The new foundation is expected to commence its activities by October 2023. It will establish and expand a network of European Roma initiatives with active support from OSF and various other supporters, such as the Roma Education Fund (REF), the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), the Roma Entrepreneurship and Development Initiative (REDI), and national Roma movements including Aresel in Romania, Opre Roma in Serbia, Kethane in Italy, Roma Standing Conference in Bulgaria, Avaja in North Macedonia, and others.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to empower and uplift the Roma community in Europe, promoting their rights, representation, and participation in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society. The establishment of the European Roma Foundation signifies a renewed commitment to advancing Roma empowerment and fostering a more just and equal Europe for all.