The story of us

We are a civic movement Opre Roma Serbia. Our movement was founded in 2019 as a response to the challenges of social inequality faced by the Roma community in Serbia. Our movement consists of Roma from all parts of Serbia and people who are not of Roma origin but wish well to the Roma community in Serbia. Our motto is: "Good for the Roma, good for Serbia" and by that, everyone who believes and supports the idea that the progress of the Roma community means the progress of Serbia is welcome in our movement. We do not belong to any political party. We are part of a transnational network of Roma movements working on Roma civic participation in political life across Europe. We are supported by the Office for Roma Initiatives from the Open Society Foundation.

The motives that involved our members and activists in the work of the movement are numerous, from finding and strengthening the true Roma identity to breaking down divisions and prejudices within the Roma community itself. They all have in common to preserve and strengthen the Roma identity and awareness of the collective purpose. We were driven by a sense of belonging and a desire for greater engagement and contribution to the Roma community.

2019 Movement founded

12M+ Roma in Europe

EU European network

100% Independent movement

Opre Roma Serbia

How the movement was founded and what challenges did we face?

Our movement was formed by young Roma men and women, enthusiasts and patriots who were part of the Barvalipa Academy for Roma Leaders. We emerged at a time of challenges and great uncertainties, when credible and competent leadership was needed more than ever and which inspired others and encouraged them to take responsibility to face those challenges. The trigger for our greater engagement and greater responsibility was the protest we organized on August 2, 2019, with the goal of providing support to brothers and sisters in Italy and Ukraine. In these countries and throughout Europe, the extreme right is awakening and advocating active anti-Roma policies. With this protest, we supported our community in Italy and Ukraine, but we also showed Europe the transnational connection of the Roma community. The protest was attended by 1,000 proud Roma men and women. The energy among our people was so strong that we realized that the community needed someone to direct that energy. Our beginnings were difficult due to the great mistrust that reigned in the Roma community and is the product of an inadequate response of institutions to our position and individual interventions that almost always ended in disappointment. However, the idea of our movement is to talk to our community and thus determine the priorities that will be put before the decision-makers later. The method and approach we have are new and we strive to be supportive of our community and not pressure. The openness and opportunity we have provided, and that is for the Roma to decide for themselves, sets us apart from others. We have proved that the voice of the Roma community can be heard and can bring about change.

We as part of a transnational movement

There are 12 million of us in Europe and we represent the largest national minority, larger than many countries. The Roma community does not have a state, but we are one people, and no matter how much others try to impose divisions on us, we are united and indivisible. Due to our number in Europe, we can build a better position in our countries through political struggle. We see the transnational movement as a link that connects Roma from all over Europe and operates at the transnational and national levels. It also serves as a channel for the rapid sharing of information from one community in one part of Europe to another in another, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the Roma community and solidarity.

Why are we different and what are we fighting for?

Opre Roma Serbia has shown openness, growth, and equal participation of all. Our goals are long-term and that is to change our position in society through the political struggle in the countries in which we live.

We believe that all "Roma issues" are only a consequence of the historical exclusion of our community from political and public processes in the countries of which we are citizens. Even after 1000 years since our arrival from India, Europe has not accepted us as its integral part, and our countries still view us as visitors or as a foreign body that needs to be treated in a certain way. All the poverty, unemployment, discrimination, criminalization of our people comes from the fact that we have been excluded from European society in the last 1000 years. On top of that, we are now witnessing that this exception is a weakening of our states and the whole of Europe. Recent events and crises have shown that without us (the Roma community) and the use of our potential, there is no economic development in Europe. We are the youngest and fastest-growing population in Europe. We are the least used economic potential that Europe has. We are the most peaceful population in Europe and all that for 1000 years.

Our movements are dedicated to enabling ordinary people to participate politically and influence the political decisions that shape their lives. We fight oppression by promoting courage and dignity. We fight propaganda by promoting the truth. We fight fear by promoting hope.