More than 12 million Roma people across Europe share our shared history – they are the continent’s largest ethnic minority, having been present for centuries. Yet, true integration has not yet been achieved. Many Roma continue to face severe socio-economic exclusion, discrimination and segregation in their daily lives, and have limited access to education, employment, healthcare and adequate housing compared to non-Roma.

At Romani Design, we believe it is time for these voices – especially those of Roma women and girls – to be visible and recognised. Our social enterprise supports talented creators in transforming heritage and hardship into pride and inclusion.

Supporting Roma women is not only the right thing to do, but also a powerful agent of change:

Empowering Roma women helps to break the cycles of exclusion and poverty that have persisted for generations.

Although Roma communities are remarkably resilient, their economic participation – especially that of women – still lags far behind the average. In the EU, the employment rate of Roma women is only 28%, and the situation of young people is particularly worrying: 56% of Roma youth are not in education, employment or training – five times the EU average.

Romani Design is not just about creating beautiful objects, it is about building a movement. When Europe recognises, supports and invests in Roma entrepreneurs, it gains a vital resource: a source of diversity, creativity and economic dynamism.

Let’s help change the narrative. Let’s celebrate the creativity of Roma women, share their stories and work together for an inclusive economy where everyone has a place – because after centuries, it’s time.

Romani Design has been working for 15 years following the principles of CSR, social awareness and social responsibility. A portion of the market-based revenues are used to support Romani’s programs, which have been operating for a decade and a half, that support the mentoring, career guidance, secondary and higher education, and cultural identity of children with disabilities.