The Ugly Truth!

By Deny Dobobrov.

My dear friend and colleague, Janos Sztojka always says, this is the "Ugly Truth" when we share images of Roma people's living conditions or make comments on policies. Well this time, I would like to share the truth from my perspective.

For far too long, the Roma community has been trapped in a vicious cycle perpetuated by so-called experts and stakeholders who profit from maintaining the status quo. This self-serving industry thrives on drafting attractive policies that look good on paper but are never implemented. The result? A constant flow of funding and resources into the pockets of those who claim to be working on solutions, while real, feasible solutions that could genuinely improve the lives of Roma communities are sidelined.

Take a hard look at the past two decades. Initiatives like the Decade of Roma Inclusion were launched with great fanfare, promising to uplift the socio-economic status of Roma across Europe. Yet these efforts failed spectacularly, precisely because they perpetuated the very exclusion they aimed to combat. Roma voices were marginally heard, if at all, and the real needs and aspirations of the community were ignored in favor of maintaining bureaucratic control and ensuring continuous funding flows to non-Roma organizations and so-called experts.

The EU Framework for Roma inclusion is nothing more than words and a fairytale. Despite the grandiose promises, the reality is starkly different. I've spoken to multiple Roma national contact points responsible for developing and implementing national strategies, and they all say the same thing: they don't have the resources. They face numerous barriers in developing and implementing their strategies, from insufficient funding to bureaucratic red tape. This framework, touted as a solution, is in practice a hollow shell.

This has created a grotesque marketplace where Roma issues are kept in a perpetual state of crisis, ensuring that funds keep flowing and jobs remain secure for a whole industry of NGOs, consultants, and governmental bodies. The tragic irony is that many of these 'experts' and stakeholders have no real incentive to solve the problems they are paid to address. In fact, if the issues faced by the Roma were genuinely solved, a drastic reduction in funding and relevance for these entities would occur.

Non-Roma led organizations dominate the landscape, often with token Roma figures who serve as mere puppets to give a veneer of legitimacy. Meanwhile, Roma-led organizations, which truly understand and represent their communities, are continually ignored and marginalized. Smaller NGOs, which are often more culturally sensitive and attuned to the needs of the communities they serve, struggle to compete for the same scarce funds. This competition exacerbates the problem, as funding is disproportionately allocated to larger, less culturally sensitive organizations.

When I visited Europe multiple times, I saw firsthand the extreme poverty and harsh living conditions that many Roma endure. In the EU and Balkans, poverty rates among Roma communities are disproportionately high, with many living in substandard housing without basic amenities. Unemployment rates among Roma are staggering, often exceeding 50%, which is significantly higher than the general population. This lack of opportunity forces people into dire situations, where they must take drastic measures to survive and feed their families.

Children are forcibly removed from their homes and families, losing their cultural ties, language, and identity in the process. These removals not only disrupt family structures but also strip Roma children of their heritage and the ability to carry forward their cultural practices. The systematic discrimination and prejudice Roma face are appalling, perpetuated by a society that refuses to see the root issues.

People easily discriminate when they don't see the root issue. It's convenient to blame individuals without understanding the systemic barriers they face. Non-Roma often discriminate against Roma for being poor, dirty, or criminal, but if poverty were genuinely addressed, many of these prejudices would diminish. If Roma were given equal opportunities for education and employment, allowing them to earn a decent living, the narrative would shift significantly. Financial stability can lead to better living conditions, improved health, and greater social integration.

So, what are the true motives of those who work in institutions, governments, and stakeholder positions? Why do they perpetuate a system that continues to fail Roma communities? Why do they allocate funding to organizations that lack cultural sensitivity and genuine understanding of the Roma experience? Why do they continue to create policies that look good on paper but do nothing in practice?

After years of being an activist, I cannot deny the fact that I see forced assimilation and modern-day genocide. The status quo benefits those in power, but it continues to fail the Roma. It is time to question the motives and actions of those who claim to be allies but perpetuate a system of exploitation and tokenism. Enough is enough. The exploitation and tokenism must end now. Addressing poverty is a crucial step towards achieving equality and justice for the Roma people.