The motivation behind our project was therefore to resolve this contradiction by: - motivating more young Roma to complete vocational training, which they are encouraged to do by appropriately sensitized training staff as part of concrete career guidance measures - preparing more adult Roma for a specific professional activity that is genuinely in demand on the labour market, but also corresponds to their interests, abilities, and skills, and ensures them a regular income - encouraging more entrepreneurs to recognize the potential of employing appropriately trained Roma to overcome their labour and, in the long term, skilled labour shortages and therefore hire them. In the long term, we also hope to contribute to reducing stereotypes and prejudices and promoting the socio-economic inclusion of Roma.
"...They steal like ravens, are lazy, and a people of restless nomads..." – when the subject of Roma comes up, we are quick to jump to prejudice. Far more serious, however, is the fact that they can be mobilized at any time, as sadly demonstrated not only by regular riots but also by their actual living conditions. Of the estimated 10–12 million Roma living in Europe, approximately 40 per cent live in the project's partner countries – 120,000 in Germany, 750,000 in Bulgaria, 175,000 in Greece, 600,000 in Hungary, 185,000 in North Macedonia, 1.95 million in Romania, 500,000 in Serbia, and 500,000 in Slovakia (Statista 2022). A key reason for the persistent discrimination against Roma is their low level of education. Fewer than 20 per cent of Roma have completed vocational training. Only 2 to 5 per cent of all Roma attend secondary school. Fewer than 5 per cent of all Roma are University graduates. Furthermore, they are unaware of their own talents, skills, and competencies. However, Roma are indispensable for a country's economic development as workers in general and as skilled workers in particular.