The Albanian Roma community faces many problems in the areas of education and employment where it is underrepresented. According to data from Institute of Romani Culture in Albania (IRCA), over 66% of Roma are unemployed. This high rate is often the result of a lack of vocational training and discrimination in the job market. Roma Versitas Albania has implemented a program to change things, and it's working!
Historically, the Roma have been excluded from many sectors that the rest of the Albanian population benefits from. This has led to a cycle of poverty and discrimination. Limited job opportunities, distance from social and cultural life, healthcare and social services, dropout rates in education... characterize these exclusions from society.
From 5 to 127 university students
In 2014, the Roma Versitas Albania initiative was implemented as a pilot project. After two successful years, it became a Non-Profit Organization (NPO). This organization works to increase the number of Roma students pursuing higher education. In just the first year of program implementation, following the introduction of higher education reform and university autonomy, the number of students enrolled in university increased from 5 to 127. Prior to this reform, special quotas were in place, allowing only 20 Roma to access university without entrance exams.
The Executive Director of Roma Versitas Albania, Emiliano Aliu, confirms: "In 2012, we managed to enroll nearly 17 Roma students in private universities. That's where the change began with the end of the quota policy in public universities that the Ministry of Education started to implement a year later. Over the years, Roma Versitas has succeeded in supporting 257 students at bachelor's and master's levels across the territory of the Republic of Albania." He also adds, "This achievement is the result of scholarships and support provided to Roma students. This includes academic guidance and administrative support, thus creating a conducive environment for their success."
Model of success
An example of success from Roma Versitas Albania is Franko Veliu. This 24-year-old Romani has been involved since 2017 in civil society organizations as a volunteer serving the Romani cause. "My activism has been influenced by the people around me, who had overcome similar difficulties and succeeded in studying at universities abroad."
Like most Roma, he faced discrimination from teachers and harassment from other students during his nine years of school, which motivated him to get more involved. Franko Veliu benefited from the Tertiary scholarship, which supports Roma students in their academic preparation and guides them into the job market during and after their studies.
“Since June 1st, 2023, I have been holding the position of Executive Director of the organization Amaro-Drom (Romani Union for Development and Integration). This organization, founded in 1996, has covered almost all areas of service provision until the creation of other organizations ten years later. Throughout this journey, I have encountered numerous financial challenges, as it was difficult to pursue the path of activism without being remunerated. What has driven me not to give up is the passion for the utility of social services and the defense of the Romani cause. This minority deserves to walk on equal terms with Albanian society in terms of social acceptance and inclusion in decision-making,” explains Franko Veliu.
Versitas Albania Roma has three main areas of intervention. Education, which aims to increase the number of enrolled Roma students, improve academic and professional performance, and increase the number of graduates.
The recruitment of educated individuals, aimed at hiring Roma graduates.
The representation that prepares students and graduates to be integrated into decision-making at all levels. "Many graduates are now employed and are improving their economic situation as well as that of their families. This creates a positive impact in the community by enabling the establishment of a virtuous circle. More Roma graduates and employees encourage more young people to pursue studies, despite the significant obstacles that remain," emphasizes Emilio Aliu.
The representation of the Roma in institutions and organizations is another important aspect. The organization works to ensure that the Roma have a voice in decision-making and can express their concerns. And to add, "by advocating and creating dialogue platforms, the organization helps promote equality and respect for the rights of the Roma".
Diploma, hiring and inclusion
Roma Versitas Albania and the example of Franko Veliu have shown that, with appropriate support, the Roma community can make great progress. That the Roma are capable of participating in society when given the same opportunities as the rest of society. The results, so far significant and inspiring, offer hope for a more peaceful future for the Roma in Albania.
Despite everything, the latest report from the European Commission regarding Albania's accession process to the EU, highlights that there is still much to be done. It places particular emphasis on the implementation of fundamental reforms, especially by strengthening and making operational the involvement of civil society. The report indeed indicates that there has been no progress in creating a conducive environment for such progress.
