What does it mean to resist in the 21st century? What kind of leadership do Roma communities across Europe need to shape a future rooted in justice, dignity, and cultural pride?
A text by Alexandru Zamfir, coordinator of Roma Leadership Program
These are the questions at the heart of The Art of Resilience and the Future of European Roma Masterclass —a powerful new masterclass embedded within the Roma Leadership Program (RLP), one of the most ambitious initiatives to emerge in recent years in the field of Roma empowerment.
A Masterclass Built by Roma, for Roma
Developed collaboratively by five of the most esteemed Roma-led institutions in Europe—Roma Education Fund (REF), European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), Roma for Democracy, Roma Foundation for Europe, and Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI)—this masterclass represents a new model of leadership development.
Unlike traditional training programs that often speak about Roma communities, this initiative speaks from within, centering Roma knowledge, resistance, and imagination as vital tools for social and political transformation.
More than a Course—A launchpad for Leadership
Part of the broader Roma Leadership Program, this masterclass, capped at just 20 participants per year, is designed to foster high-impact, next-generation leadership.
Through an intensive experience combining theory, strategy, practice and critical reflection, participants explore topics such as:
- Historical and modern forms of Roma resistance
- Strategies for building sovereignty without a state
- Language, culture, memory and ethnic identity as tools of political agency
- The role of art, debate, and leadership in reframing public discourse
Crucially, this masterclass bridges academic thought with real-world application. It’s not just about imagining a better future—it’s about equipping Roma leaders to build it.
Rooted in Reality, Oriented Toward the Future
This masterclass stands out for its holistic and strategic design. Participants engage with the work of Roma scholars, cultural theorists, political organizers, and educators who are actively shaping policy, leading institutions, and reclaiming Roma narratives.
The course engages with themes of resistance, resilience, and reconstruction not solely as historical phenomena, but as dynamic, operative principles in the contemporary context. Simultaneously, it emphasizes forward-looking leadership by encouraging participants—through critical inquiry and collaborative dialogue—to envision innovative models of Roma self-governance, transnational solidarity, and cultural sovereignty.
Why It Matters
As Europe faces deepening inequality, rising nationalism, and mounting threats to democratic institutions, Roma communities remain among the most marginalized. As Ciprian Necula, executive president of Roma Education Fund has noted, “Roma inclusion is not only a moral imperative; ageing societies in Europe mean that it is also smart economics.” This perspective underscores the urgent need to view Roma participation not just as a matter of justice, but as a strategic priority for Europe’s future.
The masterclass repositions Roma leaders not as passive recipients of policy, but as active architects of political, cultural, and institutional futures. It creates a space where leadership is not only taught, but practiced—with a foundation in Roma history, resistance, and vision. It is, in every sense, a space to learn how to lead.
A Collective Effort with Lasting Impact
What gives this masterclass its depth and power is its grounding in Roma-led institutions. These are organizations that have been at the forefront of education, cultural production, public policy, and economic empowerment. Their collaboration reflects not only a shared commitment to excellence, but a belief in the strength of collective leadership.
More than a stand-alone course, The Art of Resilience and the Future of European Roma is part of a wider, long-term effort to cultivate a pan-European network of Roma leaders—activists, scholars, educators, and cultural workers united by a common purpose and grounded in shared knowledge.