RomniME

Roma are the youngest community in Europe. Around half of them are under the age of 28. Many adolescents and young adults from the Roma minority lack the support they need in their studies and career choices. The RomniME project is looking for mentors for Roma women aged 18-29 to discuss issues such as education, work, relationships, societal participation and identity. The mentees include both Finnish and immigrant Roma women.

The RomniME project tests and develops creative methods, from mentor pairs to group mentoring. The starting point is always the needs and wishes of the young Roma. The impact of the mentoring processes will be evaluated to develop mentoring further. The impact assessment will also be used to formulate policy recommendations. The project aims to promote equality comprehensively.

The project, implemented in Finland, Bulgaria, Italy and Croatia, also aims to identify and combat discrimination experienced by Roma women and girls by improving understanding of the effects of multiple discrimination. Central to this is supporting the empowerment of Roma youth and building the self-esteem of mentees. Each mentoring process is different, but they are united by confidentiality, mutual sharing of experiences and jointly defined goals. The mentoring pairs are supported by the professionals of the RomniME team.

The RomniME project, coordinated by the Deaconess Foundation, also involves three other European organisations: Romni (Italy), LIDER (Bulgaria) and PESG (Croatia). The project is co-funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Union.