NGO Mladi Romi calls for education and employment to combat poverty

The NGO Mladi Romi – Herceg Novi has highlighted the persistent challenges faced by Roma and Egyptian families, emphasizing that education and employment are essential for escaping poverty. After 21 years of direct engagement, the organization notes that while some progress has been made, many systemic issues recur annually.

Data from MICS research illustrates significant disparities. In 2018, 89.5% of Roma settlement residents faced at least three forms of material deprivation, compared to 34.8% of the general population. More recent MICS research for 2025–2026 shows that only 16% of children in Roma settlements attended preschool or started school a year before the official age, whereas 79% of the general population did so.

While the share of Roma youth aged 20–23 who completed secondary school rose from 3% to 16%, the NGO stresses that projects alone cannot replace a functional state system. They advocate for increased investment in early childhood education, better housing conditions, and legalizing informal work, such as secondary raw material collection, to ensure dignified livelihoods.