VII Phase, 2025–2027

From 2025 to 2027, the Department of National Minorities under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania is implementing the seventh phase of the European Commission-funded project "Lithuanian Roma Platform – going local (part VII)"

The project activities are divided into four main areas:

1. Cooperation with municipalities;
2. Empowerment of the Roma community;
3. Scholarships for Roma pupils and students;
4. Provision of legal services to the Roma community.

Cooperation with Municipalities

To strengthen cooperation with municipalities, five Roma mediators are working in different regions of Lithuania.
Their main functions are:

• assisting with the preparation of documents for various public administration and other institutions;
• providing accompaniment and support in public and private institutions;
• helping to ensure school attendance and promoting community empowerment.

Roma Community Empowerment

Empowerment activities will be implemented by the mediators, who will organize:

• Roma cultural festivals,
• International Tolerance Day commemorations,
• peer support group meetings,
• training for Roma women,
• educational trips in Lithuania and Estonia.

Scholarships

The project foresees the award of 20 scholarships to Roma pupils and students to encourage them to complete secondary, post-secondary, and higher education.

Legal Services

As demonstrated during the sixth phase of the project, the provision of legal services is highly important for the Roma community, as it offers opportunities to defend their rights in various life situations. Therefore, this service continues to be provided in the current project phase.