ACADE-ME: Final phase of a European project promoting inclusion, equality and opportunities

ACADE-ME – “Accelerating Capacity against Anti-Roma Sentiment and Discrimination in Education” ends in April 2026. The project represents a concrete step in the fight against discrimination and in promoting the inclusion of Roma communities in the education system.

Funded by the European CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) programme, ACADE-ME was created with a clear objective: to improve the life prospects of Roma people and promote full social inclusion, using education as a key driver of change. During the project, partners from Slovenia, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria and Serbia worked actively together, involving teachers, social workers, students and members of Roma communities.

This joint effort made it possible to tackle a still highly topical challenge: anti-Roma sentiment in education. Through a multidimensional approach, ACADE-ME developed concrete tools to understand, prevent and counter discrimination, while promoting a more inclusive and aware educational culture.

From research to action: results achieved

One of the main aspects of ACADE-ME was the concrete transition from theoretical reflection to action. The project built a solid knowledge base and transformed it into accessible educational tools usable in daily practice.

The starting point was a significant research work that resulted in an e-book of approximately 200 pages, analyzing in depth the manifestations of anti-Roma sentiment in European education systems. This study did not simply describe the phenomenon, but provided a key basis for developing targeted educational responses.

Based on these findings, a structured educational program was developed, aimed both at professionals working in the field of education and inclusion, as well as at Roma students and young graduates. To complete this path, a multilingual online platform was developed, making these materials easily accessible and offering learning resources and practical tools accessible over time.

Alongside the theoretical development, the project placed a strong emphasis on practical tests. The training models were piloted through activities involving hundreds of participants from different partner countries. Teachers, social workers and professionals from the sector took part in specialised training courses, while Roma university students and graduates attended programmes designed to strengthen skills and self-confidence. This process not only allowed the effectiveness of the tools to be tested, but also improved them through feedback, making them increasingly relevant to real needs.

A particularly important element of the project was the strong investment in the empowerment of Roma women. In each partner country, “Women’s Roma Academies” clubs were created – spaces for active participation where women could exchange experiences, develop and strengthen their role in their communities.

At the same time, ACADE-ME explored the potential of new digital languages ​​by developing a training model for influencers on TikTok. The aim was to provide concrete tools for telling different, positive stories, capable of countering stereotypes and discriminatory narratives.

Awareness-raising accompanied the entire project. By creating multilingual videos, an online library of testimonies on TikTok and organising public events in the participating countries, ACADE-ME helped raise awareness about discrimination in education.

The six national awareness-raising events, which will take place in all partner countries, will represent key moments of discussion where results, experiences and future perspectives will be shared with stakeholders, communities and the general public. In Italy, in particular, the initiative will be implemented through theatrical language with the performance “ROM VS TUTTI”, created and performed by Rashid Nikolić, an artist of Roma origin, scheduled for 23 April in Rome. The performance defies definitions and uses them as a playground: a kind of cultural ring where prejudices are staged, challenged and exposed.

Impact beyond the project

Looking at its overall results, ACADE-ME clearly demonstrates how education can be a powerful tool for social change. The project has raised awareness about anti-Roma sentiment while providing practical tools for education professionals. It has supported the personal and professional development of young Roma, highlighting their role as positive role models and strengthening European cooperation networks.

After the project is completed, not only a set of results remains, but also a tangible legacy. The materials developed, the online platform and the relationships built will continue to serve as valuable resources for educators, practitioners and communities.

In an increasingly diverse European context, ACADE-ME demonstrates that investing in inclusive education means laying the foundations for fairer and more cohesive societies. The project is coming to an end, but its impact continues, paving the way for new initiatives and a future in which equality and opportunity can become a reality for all.