# Roma and Egyptian social inclusion in Montenegro and Serbia > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/roma-and-egyptian-social-inclusion-in-montenegro-and-serbia > Updated: 2026-10-19T08:24:45.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. The Roma and Egyptian communities in Montenegro and Serbia face ongoing systemic challenges regarding poverty, education, and social inclusion. The NGO Mladi Romi has highlighted significant disparities in material deprivation and early childhood education, noting that while secondary school completion among Roma youth has risen from 3% to 16%, many families still struggle with lack of access to preschool and stable housing. In response to these issues, regional initiatives have focused on targeted social and educational support. Programs such as the ‘Step to Inclusion’ project have worked to protect children from domestic violence, forced marriage, and street begging. Additionally, efforts to improve literacy have been bolstered by the introduction of new educational tools, including specialized manuals and picture dictionaries designed to help Roma and Egyptian students master basic reading and writing skills. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Roma and Egyptian community support initiatives focus on child protection and literacy New initiatives in Montenegro and Serbia are targeting the protection and literacy of Roma and Egyptian children through specialized workshops and new educational materials. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/roma-and-egyptian-community-support-initiatives-focus-on-child-protection-and-literacy ### 2026-10-17: NGO Mladi Romi calls for education and employment to combat poverty NGO Mladi Romi emphasizes that systemic investment in education and employment is vital to address the material deprivation and educational gaps facing Roma and Egyptian communities. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ngo-mladi-romi-calls-for-education-and-employment-to-combat-poverty --- Cite as: Roma and Egyptian social inclusion in Montenegro and Serbia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/roma-and-egyptian-social-inclusion-in-montenegro-and-serbia