The First Transnational Gathering of Roma Office Holders in Europe

Mehmed Mahmudov Ahmedov was born on 26 September 1972. He is married and the father of three children. He holds a secondary education and works as mayor of the village of Dobrotich, currently serving his second term.

Banko Bankov is a municipal councillor in Topolovgrad Municipality, serving his third term. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Spatial Planning, Road and Settlement Infrastructure, Transport, Environmental Protection, Urban Development, Utilities, Public Order and Security, Local Self-Government and Regional Policy, and Agriculture and Forestry. His main priority is tackling high unemployment in the region and creating more employment opportunities. He pays particular attention to the discrimination faced by the Roma community in the labour market and works to ensure equal access to employment and economic opportunities.

Asen Bekov has been mayor of the village of Zlokuchene, Septemvri Municipality, for his fifth term. In his work, he places particular emphasis on integration, improving infrastructure and access to healthcare. His main goal is to contribute to better living conditions and the development of the local community.

Mariyan Ivanov Boyanov is a municipal councillor in Samuil Municipality, Razgrad Province. By education he is an engineer with a master's degree in Safety Control and Management in the Food Industry, and he also holds a teaching qualification. He works as a senior expert at the Razgrad Regional Directorate of Agriculture. Alongside his professional work, he is actively involved in folk dance and teaches various age groups.

Asen Gogov is a municipal councillor in Sandanski Municipality, serving his first term. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Public Order, Security and Transport, the Standing Committee on Healthcare, Integration and Social Affairs, and the Standing Committee on Children, Youth and Sport. His main priority is combating discrimination in the town, in schools and in institutions. In his work, he strives to promote equality and to defend every person's right to equal access to opportunities and services.

Hasan Byulentov Hasanov was born on 11 December 2002 in the town of Novi Pazar. From 21 October 2021 until October 2023, he served as mayoral deputy, after which he was elected with 100% of the vote as mayor of the village of General Kolevo. His main goal for the remainder of his term is to improve the village's infrastructure and to work towards creating better living conditions for local residents.

Chavdar Ivanov is a municipal councillor on the Elhovo Municipal Council, serving his first term. He is active on issues related to the development and improvement of infrastructure in the municipality. One of his main priorities is the legalisation of housing, which he considers an important issue for residents and for improving their living conditions. Another key priority for him is the construction of a sports ground, an idea he is strongly committed to and intends to work actively towards realising, as he sees it as an important opportunity for the children and young people of the municipality. Chavdar Ivanov is also chairman of the "United Roma Hope" Association in Elhovo, which works on issues affecting the Roma community.

Metodi Karamanov is a municipal councillor in Rakitovo Municipality, serving his second term. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Education, Culture, Healthcare, Religious Affairs, Social Policy, Youth, Sport, Tourism and Citizens' Complaints; the Standing Committee on Legality, Local Self-Government, Regulatory Framework and Regional Policy, Traffic Safety, Public Order, Defence, Security and Crisis Situations; and the Committee for the Prevention and Detection of Conflicts of Interest. He is married and the father of two children. His main priorities relate to addressing problems with illegal construction, improving the water supply system, and upgrading road infrastructure, including street paving.

Atanas Hristov Kisimov is 29 years old and is from the town of Perushtitsa. He is a municipal councillor on the Perushtitsa Municipal Council, serving his first term. He holds a bachelor's degree in Telecommunication and Information Systems and is currently completing a master's degree in Public Administration. Atanas Kisimov is a member of the Standing Committee on Legality, Public Order, Security, European Integration and Oversight of Decisions, as well as the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Ethnic and Demographic Affairs.

Yanislav Georgiev Kostov is a municipal councillor in Yablanitsa Municipality, Lovech Province, serving his second term. He is married and the father of three children. As a municipal councillor, one of his main priorities is improving education and supporting children from Roma neighbourhoods. Together with the other three municipal councillors of Roma origin, he works to improve living conditions in Roma neighbourhoods, including building and maintaining water supply and sewage systems, paving streets, improving street lighting and overall infrastructure.

Angel Kozhuharov is Deputy Mayor of Rakitovo Municipality, with more than 10 years of experience in local government and work with the local community. He is open to dialogue on issues concerning the Roma community and actively takes part in discussing challenges and finding practical solutions. His main priorities include improving infrastructure, maintaining cleanliness in the neighbourhood, and addressing problems related to illegal construction in the municipality. In his work, he places particular emphasis on direct engagement with citizens and on finding concrete solutions to improve living conditions and support the development of the local community.

Mitko Minchev is a municipal councillor in the Municipal Council of Septemvri, Bulgaria. He sits on the Standing Committee on Spatial Planning and Agriculture, where his competence covers urban planning, construction, architecture and housing policy, and he is also a member of the Committee on Economic Development.

Asen Mitev is mayor of the village of Salmanovo, Shumen Municipality, Shumen Province. He is married and the father of two children. As mayor, he places particular emphasis on addressing issues that matter to the local community and on improving living conditions in the village. His main priority is the legalisation of houses in Salmanovo, with the aim of helping residents formally register their homes and creating safer conditions for them and their families. He strives to work in dialogue with local residents and to contribute to the development and improvement of the village.

Georgi Rangelov is a municipal councillor serving his second term in Dupnitsa Municipality, with accumulated experience in local self-government and work for the benefit of the local community. As a councillor, he is actively engaged in issues related to the municipality's development and to improving the living conditions of its residents. Among his main priorities are the development and improvement of local infrastructure, as well as education. He places particular emphasis on the need for better infrastructure and access to quality education as important preconditions for the sustainable development of the municipality and for creating more opportunities for young people.

Angel Simeonov is a municipal councillor in Velingrad Municipality, serving his first term. He is a member of the Committee on Economy, Finance, Budget and Companies, the Committee on Education, Culture, Healthcare, Religious Affairs and Social Policy, and the Municipal Council's Oversight Committee. Angel Simeonov is director of the "Georgi Benkovski" Primary School in Velingrad. He holds a university degree in Psychology.

Plamen Temelkov has been mayor of the village of Semchinovo, Septemvri Municipality, since 2015. His main priority is improving the village's infrastructure. Although many improvements have been made over the years, he continues to work towards the overall renovation and development of Semchinovo, with the aim of creating better living conditions for local residents.

Marin Tihomirov is a Member of the Bulgarian National Assembly, serving on the Committee on Human Rights, Religions and Citizens' Complaints and the Committee on Direct Citizen Participation and Interaction with Civil Society. His parliamentary and public work focuses on human rights, equal participation, social inclusion and strengthening dialogue between institutions and Roma communities. He is actively engaged in addressing cases affecting vulnerable communities, including housing rights, access to public services and protection against discrimination. Tihomirov advocates for stronger Roma participation in public and political life and for practical cooperation between elected representatives, civil society and local communities, to turn political representation into tangible institutional change.

Petar Iliev Tsurev is a municipal councillor in Rakitovo Municipality, serving his first term. As a representative of citizens, he focuses his work on improving infrastructure, upholding the rule of law, and addressing the problem of illegal construction. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Improving Living Conditions, Roma Community Integration, and Children's Education. He believes that the municipality's development must be based on order, justice and equal rules for everyone. He is married and the father of two children, which motivates him to work towards a safer, better-organised and more promising municipality where young people can see their future.

Lyuben Vasilev is a municipal councillor in Yablanitsa Municipality, serving his third term, and currently Deputy Chairman of the Municipal Council. He chairs the Committee on Spatial Planning and is a member of the Committee on Budget and Finance. He holds a bachelor's degree in Project Management and a master's degree in Public Administration. His main priorities are the development of education, the prevention of early marriage, and the integration of the Roma population, with the aim of creating better conditions and opportunities in life.

Angel Velev is a municipal councillor in Perushtitsa Municipality, serving his first term. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Spatial Planning, European Integration, Ecology and Agriculture, as well as the Standing Committee on Education, Culture, Sport, Healthcare and Social Affairs. His main priorities are improving infrastructure, maintaining cleanliness and protecting the environment, and paving the municipality's main roads. He also places particular emphasis on education and the development of children.

József Oláh is a local councillor in Józsefváros, the eighth district of Budapest, where he serves as the council's commissioner for equal opportunities and sits on the Committee for Social Affairs. He is a qualified social worker and cultural anthropologist. Alongside his elected role he is active in the Roma movement as founder and leader of the Dignity for Roma Movement (Méltóságot a Romáknak Mozgalom), which organises remembrance events and, together with partner organisations, Roma Pride Day.

I am János Klajban. I have been working as a municipal councillor since 2024. Before that, I served for several terms as a member of the Roma self-government. I have also worked with civil society organisations and foundations on issues affecting large numbers of Roma people, such as education, housing, and social urban rehabilitation programmes.

Radu Marian is currently a Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, and has served as Chairman of the Economic, Budget and Finance Parliamentary Committee. He is also Vice-President of the Party of Action and Solidarity, the largest party in the country. Prior to becoming an MP, he co-founded and managed TwentyTu – an educational project providing free online courses to schoolchildren in Moldova. He holds a Master's Degree in International Business from the University of Edinburgh, awarded as a recipient of the prestigious Chevening scholarship from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. For three years before starting his graduate degree, he was communication manager for Expert-Grup, a leading think tank in the country. Radu holds a BSc in Finance & Banking from the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (2013) and a Specialty Baccalaureate Diploma in Corporate Management from the Financial Banking College in Chișinău (2010), in addition to a one-year fellowship in Marketing at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, USA (2012), funded by the US Department of State. His other interests include international development, foreign policy and consumer behaviour. He is one of the country's youngest MPs and the first ever parliamentarian of Roma origin.

I am Allmir Tahiri, a construction entrepreneur, business owner, and public representative from Montenegro. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a diploma in Business Management. I also completed the Roma Graduate Preparation Program (RGPP) at the Central European University (CEU), a program designed to prepare talented Roma students for graduate studies. I am the founder and owner of Line Construction DOO, a company specialising in residential and commercial construction. In addition, I am the founder and owner of Lannister DOO Yacht Charter, a company operating in the yacht charter industry and providing premium nautical services. Alongside my entrepreneurial activities, I serve as a Municipal Councillor in the Municipal Assembly of Herceg Novi, representing the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), the largest political party in Montenegro. I am of Roma ethnicity and have been actively involved in Roma activism since 2012, advocating for equal opportunities, education, social inclusion, and the empowerment of Roma communities. Over the years, I have taken part in numerous initiatives and programmes promoting human rights, civic engagement, and community development. I strongly believe that education, entrepreneurship, and public service are essential drivers of economic growth, social inclusion, and equal opportunity. Through my work in business, politics, and civil society, I am committed to contributing to the sustainable development of Montenegro and to creating opportunities for future generations.

Mensur Šaljaj was born on 10 January 1993 in Podgorica. From an early age he has been actively involved in civil society and the NGO sector, with a particular focus on improving the position of the Roma community in Montenegro. From 2013 to 2019 he served as president of the NGO "Young Roma of Podgorica." During this period he authored a Roma–Montenegrin dictionary, produced with the support of the Fund for the Protection and Realisation of Minority Rights. As a volunteer and activist, he has taken part in numerous initiatives and organisations dedicated to the development of the Roma community. He is one of the founders of the first Roma political party in Montenegro – the Democratic Party of Roma – of which he is also the leader. He completed his primary education at the "Marko Miljanov" school in Podgorica, and secondary education at the "Ing. Marko Radević" Vocational School in Podgorica. He graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Montenegro, in Pre-School Education, where he also completed specialist studies. He further trained through the Journalism School of the Media Institute of Montenegro, as well as through seminars and programmes dedicated to strengthening Roma and Egyptian activism and leadership in the NGO sector, within the CRNVO programme. He gained professional experience through positions at the Roma Scholarship Fund (2010–2012), Radio Roma (2012–2013), and the Roma Education Fund – REF (2013–2016). He became a member of the Roma Council in 2012. From 2017 he served on the Roma Council's Management Board, and in 2021 he was elected President of the Roma Council of Montenegro. He held this position until 2025, and in September of that year he was re-elected to the role. Since 2023 he has also served as a councillor in the Assembly of the Capital City of Podgorica. Mensur Šaljaj is married and the father of four children.

Aki Akiov has excellent communication skills and strong organisational abilities, and works easily as part of a team. He is committed to acting as an advocate for the Roma community in his municipality.

Gjulbin Bajrami holds a degree in Informatics and is a councillor on the Council of the Municipality of Shuto Orizari. He is employed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an IT administrator, and gained further professional experience through engagements at the Mission of the Republic of North Macedonia to the European Union in Brussels and the Delegation of the Republic of North Macedonia to NATO. Born and raised in Shuto Orizari, he is committed to initiatives that improve the local community and the quality of life of its citizens.

Mustafa Demirovski served in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia from 2012 to 2016, and is currently a councillor in the Municipality of Shuto Orizari (2025–2029).

Elson Iljaz has been serving as a Member of the Municipal Council of Šuto Orizari since 2025, driven by a strong commitment to advancing local economic development and creating sustainable opportunities for the community. His primary focus within the Council is on strengthening the local economy through the creation of new business opportunities, attracting domestic and foreign investment, developing economic and business zones, and supporting the creation of new jobs. With a professional background in banking and finance, Elson currently works at the largest bank in North Macedonia, where he is responsible for controlling incoming payment transactions from abroad. This role has provided him with valuable insight into financial systems, international transactions, regulatory processes, and the broader dynamics of the financial sector. Alongside his banking career, Elson brings several years of experience working as a business consultant and business facilitator for the Roma business community. As part of the Roma Entrepreneurs Development Initiative (REDI), he has supported entrepreneurs in developing their businesses, accessing opportunities, navigating financial and institutional systems, and strengthening their capacity to grow and become more competitive. His professional experience is complemented by a strong academic background in economics and business management. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Business Management from the Faculty of Economics. Combining experience in banking, business consulting, entrepreneurship development, and public service, Elson is committed to turning economic potential into tangible opportunities. His vision is to contribute to a more dynamic and inclusive local economy in Šuto Orizari, one that attracts investment, empowers entrepreneurs, creates quality employment, and enables sustainable economic growth for the wider community.

Mirsad Ramazanoski holds a degree in Public Administration. He worked for five years at the Centre for Social Work in Kičevo (2015–2020) and volunteered with the Municipality of Kičevo. From 2017 to 2018 he served as Coordinator for Western Macedonia for undocumented persons within the project "Outside the Circle – Invisible to Society." Since 10 November 2025, he has been a member of the Council of the Municipality of Kičevo.

Samed Salievski has been a member of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) since 2003. He was first elected as a councillor in 2012 and continued in that role until 2021, representing SDSM. During his three terms as an SDSM councillor, he successfully carried out a number of projects in the settlements around Kumanovo, including Sredorek, Bavci, Stari Lojza, Banevo Trlo and Vonicki Pat. Since 2025 he has been a member of the ZNAM party, led by Maksim Dimitrievski, and currently serves as a councillor on its behalf. His commitment is to represent the interests of, and address the problems facing, the Roma community in Kumanovo.

Jashe Sefer is a councillor of the Municipality of Shuto Orizari, North Macedonia, where he has also been elected President of the Municipal Council, and he serves as Deputy President of the ROM political party, founded in 2014. He is currently serving his first mandate as part of the governing coalition, which has given him the opportunity to help implement national programmes and strategies. With experience in both central and local government, his work has centred on infrastructure, education and council reform, as well as on improving communication with the community about the priorities of the municipality.

Kemal Suleymanov is a Municipal Councillor at the Council of the Municipality of Strumica, North Macedonia, actively contributing to local policymaking and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens. He serves as a member of the Commission for Public Safety, Traffic Safety and Fire Protection, as well as the Commission for the Assessment of Damages, and is also a member of the Management Board of JPKD “Komunalec” – Strumica, one of the municipality's key public utility enterprises. His work focuses on local development, social inclusion, equal opportunities, community engagement and improving public services. He is particularly committed to creating opportunities for young people, supporting education and employment, and strengthening cooperation among different communities. Through local and international cooperation, he promotes the exchange of experience and practical solutions that can contribute to more inclusive and sustainable development of local communities.

Alberto-Iosif Caraian is a Roma local councillor in Sector 1 of Bucharest, Romania. First elected in 2020, he is currently serving his second term in office. His work has included a focus on social inclusion, education and the representation of minority communities.

Ion Cristea currently serves as a local councillor in the municipality of Călărași. He has been active in the Roma movement since 2020, and in 2022 he was elected president of the Călărași municipal branch of the Pro-Europa Roma Party.

Sorina Ianev is a teacher of economic subjects with more than 20 years of experience in education, and a former inspector for minorities/Roma in Dâmbovița County. Since 2024 she has held the position of local councillor on the Local Council of the town of Titu, Dâmbovița County, Romania, where she is involved in representation and civic participation activities at the local level. Throughout her professional career, she has coordinated and initiated numerous projects dedicated to students, volunteering, social inclusion and community development. She coordinated the National Strategy for Community Action (SNAC) at her school and organised educational and cultural activities that encourage community participation, intercultural dialogue and youth involvement. She is involved in projects dedicated to financial education and life-skills development, contributing to the design of non-formal educational programmes adapted to different age groups. At the community level, she promotes education, equal opportunities and social inclusion. She studied Economic Communication at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, and is currently continuing her academic and professional development, with a particular interest in researching economic history and the processes of economic and social inclusion of Roma people.

Florin Manole served as Romania's Minister of Labour, Family, Youth, and Social Solidarity from June 2025 to April 2026. He is a graduate of the Faculty of History at the University of Bucharest, and has complemented his education with training in foreign policy and human rights from the U.S. State Department. Before his ministerial role, Manole was a Member of Parliament for Bucharest (2016–2020 and 2023 onward) with the Social Democratic Party (PSD), serving as President of the Joint Special Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons. His career also includes roles as a local councillor in Bucharest Sector 5 (2012–2015), advisor to the Minister for Social Dialogue (2012–2013), and member of the National Council for Combating Discrimination (2015– 2016). Manole has also worked as a World Bank consultant (2021–2022), State Secretary under the Deputy Prime Minister (2022–2023), and with Roma rights organisations such as the Roma Education Fund and the Aven Amentza Center.

Ionel Năstase is a Roma local councillor in Lehliu-Gară, Călărași County, Romania. First elected in 2016, he is currently serving his third consecutive term in office. He has a long-standing involvement in local public life and has also run for mayor of Lehliu-Gară.

Alin-Ionuț Voicu is a Roma local councillor in Sector 3 of Bucharest, Romania. First elected in 2016, his background includes work with Roma-focused organisations, and his public activity has included social inclusion, minority issues and education.

Enis Ajeti has served as a councillor in the Bujanovac Municipal Assembly since 2024, in his first term, elected on the list of the Justice and Reconciliation Party (SPP), part of the ruling coalition in the municipality. By profession he is a businessman - a long-standing trader with a successful business and strong, direct contact with people in the community. His public work focuses on organising and mobilising Roma voters and strengthening Roma political participation in Bujanovac, with particular emphasis on building a new generation of Roma leaders capable of taking on responsible positions within the municipality. During his term, he has paid special attention to advocating that municipal budget allocations for investment in the Roma community be proportional to the official share of Roma in the municipality's population, as well as to concrete infrastructure investments in Roma settlements.

Igor Jovanović holds a degree in Economics. He built his professional career in the construction sector, where from 2010 to 2016 he worked as an assistant project manager on infrastructure projects. Since 2008, he has been dedicated to promoting human and minority rights, and since 2014 he has been particularly engaged in work with the Roma national community through projects focused on empowering and educating local leaders. He has served as Deputy Speaker of the Belgrade City Assembly since June 2022. In November 2022, he was elected a member of the National Council of Roma, and in August 2023 he became an ambassador in the fight against anti-Gypsyism and discrimination. He has been a member of the Social Democratic Party of Serbia since 2021, where he serves as President of the Executive Board of the Belgrade City Committee.

Nataša Tasić Knežević has served since 2024 as a Councillor of the Assembly of the City of Belgrade, and previously sat in the National Assembly of Serbia from 2022, where she was Deputy Chair of the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality. Her public work has centred on housing and social inclusion — the legalisation of informal Roma settlements, access to basic infrastructure, and social housing — and on the recognition of Roma cultural heritage. A lyric soprano, she was the first Roma woman to perform at the Opera of the National Theatre in Belgrade and has been a permanent soloist of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad since 2018. In office, she has given particular attention to remembrance and to the position of Roma women and girls: her initiative led the City of Belgrade to rename Mitićeva rupa as Dušan Jovanović Park in 2025, honouring the Roma boy murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1997. She studied solo singing at the Academy of Fine Arts and completed specialist studies at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.

Sadrija Raimović has served as a councillor in the Bujanovac Municipal Assembly since 2024, in his first term, elected on the list of the Justice and Reconciliation Party (SPP). He is a student and one of the most recognisable young people in the Roma community in Bujanovac. He runs a Roma football club that has achieved notable results - including a five-a-side football championship title - and whose matches draw crowds of more than a thousand people, giving him visibility and community trust beyond formal institutional channels. His public work focuses on young people, on sport as a tool for bringing people together and fostering inclusion, and on connecting social recognition with political representation of community interests. During his term, he has paid special attention to advocating that the municipal budget allocate funds to the Roma community in proportion to the number of Roma in the municipality, as well as to programmes for young people and sports infrastructure.

Miljan Rašić is a social activist from Zaječar and president of the association Society of Roma of Zaječar, which works to improve the position of Roma, protect human and minority rights, and advance education and social inclusion. He actively takes part in humanitarian, educational and cultural projects, and in organising workshops, festivals and initiatives in support of the Roma community. As a member of the local council, he advocates for equality, for including citizens in decision-making, and for developing the local community through cooperation with state institutions and international organisations.

Bc. Beata Berkyová has been a member of the Municipal Council of Poltár since 2022. In her public work, she is actively engaged mainly in social affairs, support for families, children and young people, improving housing conditions, and developing community life. She is a member of the Supervisory Board and of the Housing Committee, where she takes part in addressing housing issues and improving the quality of housing in marginalised Roma communities. She has long been engaged in work with children and young people, guiding them towards responsibility, education, cultural awareness and building their own identity. An important part of her public and community work is her engagement with Roma women, supporting their personal growth, self-confidence, independence and active participation in public life. She is involved in local politics and encourages women to become civically engaged, to learn about their rights, and to take part in decisions affecting the life of their community. In her work, she promotes cooperation, mutual respect and the creation of better opportunities for children, women, families and the community as a whole.

I am Marie Oláhová, known in Slovakia as Maryša. My life's path has been about connecting people through Roma culture, helping Roma women grow, and actively changing life in our towns and villages. For more than thirty years I have been the statutory representative of the civic association Rómka, and I lead a folklore ensemble in Detva, where I now sing and dance together with the third generation. I organise the Jiloskero Hangóro Roma song festival and work to ensure that our traditional songs and costumes are not forgotten. Besides culture, I am deeply engaged in social work and in strengthening the position of women. I founded a network of Roma mother-and-child centres, where we help young mothers and girls complete their education, pass their school-leaving exams, or go on to university. An important part of my work is activism in local politics. I focus on educating Roma women about the powers and responsibilities of local self-government. I motivate and prepare them not to be afraid to get involved in local politics themselves, to stand as candidates for local councils, and to take a direct part in decisions about life in their communities. For this comprehensive work in breaking down social stereotypes, I was awarded the "Ray of Light from the Darkness" prize.

Július Pecha works for the NGO Dom.ov (Home), focusing on the construction of affordable housing for low- income families, as well as social and financial counselling related to housing. He has been active in the non- profit sector and social services for more than 20 years. He is serving his third term as a councillor in the municipality of Kecerovce (Košice district, Slovakia), where he focuses mainly on development activities for the benefit of the local Roma community and on work with young people.

Eugen Radič has served as mayor of Martinová (population 200, Rimavská Sobota district, Slovakia) since 2006. Alongside his work in local and regional politics, he has a strong interest in activities related to reviving traditional Roma crafts and cultural traditions.

Roman Viola was first elected mayor of Pašková in the Rožňava district, Slovakia, in 2010, and has held the position since that year. He was awarded the Roma Spirit prize in 2018 for the effective work of the municipal office and for activities supporting quality of life in the community.

Marcel Šaňa is the mayor of Lunik IX, a district of Košice, Slovakia, home to more than 7,000 Roma. Since his first mandate in 2014, Marcel's work has helped improve the quality of life in the neighbourhood through the reconstruction of flats and roads, improving employment opportunities, and improving the neighbourhood's public image. He is a member of the board of the Roma Coalition Party (SRK).

My name is Tomáš Ščuka, and I come from the village of Hrabušice. I currently serve as a member of the Hrabušice Village Council, a position I have held since the 2022 elections. Within the village council, alongside my role as a councillor, I also chair the Committee for Social Affairs, Housing and Health, and I am a member of the school board. In 2025, elections were held for the Government Council of the Slovak Republic for National Minorities, where I became a member. I have long been engaged in social inclusion and in the implementation of projects funded by the European Union. I currently work as a supervisor in the helping professions.

Miroslav Žiga is a member of the local council in Vydrník (Prešov county, Slovakia), serving his first term. As a councillor, he focuses mainly on municipal budgeting and the financial accountability of the municipal office.

Kinga Réthy is executive vice president of the Roma Foundation for Europe, where she leads operations and supports the institutional development of organisations in the foundation's network. Until 2024, she was deputy director of the Open Society Roma Initiatives Office. Her experience ranges from working with national governments and international institutions — mostly through the Decade of Roma Inclusion — to working with Roma communities across Europe as well as with majority populations on challenging anti-Roma prejudice and discrimination. Kinga joined the Open Society Foundations in 1997 as an intern and continued to work as a paralegal for the New York-based General Counsel's Office. She then served as an executive officer to the Open Society Foundations and Central European University before transitioning to work on Roma programmes. She holds bachelor's degrees in communications and sociology and a master's degree in sociology and social anthropology, and has attended executive courses at Harvard's Kennedy School and INSEAD. She is a certified coach accredited by the International Coaching Federation.

Anita Czinkóczi is network development director for the Roma Foundation for Europe. She worked for the Open Society Foundations from 2006 to 2024, first for the Roma Participation Program and then for the Roma Initiatives Office. Anita holds an MA in international studies–European studies from Berzsenyi Daniel College in Szombathely, Hungary, as well as an MA in sociology and social anthropology from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.

Neda Korunovska is an advocate, strategist and researcher with over two decades of experience advancing social justice and equity in Europe. As vice president for analytics and results, she helps lead the Roma Foundation for Europe's work to support advocacy, shape public policy and strengthen investment in Roma communities. Based in Berlin, she brings a sharp analytical lens to ensure that programmes deliver meaningful outcomes. Before joining the foundation she worked at the Open Society Roma Initiatives Office and, earlier, with youth and gender movements in the Western Balkans, focusing on economic empowerment and political participation. A lawyer by training, she has received several honours — including NDI's Madeleine Albright Award (2015) and the UK Foreign Office Diversity Fellowship (2014) — and has participated in both the US International Visitor Leadership Program and the European Union Visitors Programme.

Zeljko Jovanovic is president of the Roma Foundation for Europe. From 2010–2024, he was director of the Roma Initiatives Office of the Open Society Foundations. He was board chair of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture until 2026 and is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations and the Aspen Institute. Before joining the Open Society Foundations in 2006, he worked for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Catholic Relief Services. He also led a grassroots Roma organization, a community radio, civic and political campaigns, and mentored and trained managers, advocates, and leaders. Jovanovic graduated in law from the University of Belgrade and in governance from the University of Oxford.

Thorsten Schröder is communications director for the Roma Foundation for Europe. Before starting this role, he worked as a journalist and communications consultant for more than 15 years. Most recently, he worked for the Open Society Foundations' Europe and Central Asia programme. He previously covered U.S. politics and economics for German-speaking media and was the political correspondent for Zeit Online during the Trump presidency. He has worked on election campaigns for the European Parliament and explored the intersection of arts and politics in Eastern Europe with his magazine, Béton Bleu. Thorsten attended the Cologne Journalism School and studied in Passau, Paris and Cologne. He holds a master's in economics and political science.

Redjepali Chupi is Director of the Roma Education Fund for Serbia and North Macedonia. He has twenty years of experience in the governmental and NGO sectors, focusing on promoting minority rights and inclusive education. As the former Director of the Directorate for Promotion and Development of Languages for Ethnic Minorities at the Ministry of Education and Science in North Macedonia, he spearheaded efforts to ensure the realisation of constitutional rights for minorities in education and language rights. With expertise in law and extensive experience in project leadership, legal advocacy and training facilitation, he has contributed to national and international initiatives advancing policies for minority integration and community empowerment.

Manuela Demir-Kariman is Head of Pride and Community Outreach at the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC), where she leads Pillar I, designing strategy and programming that strengthens Roma pride, identity and community engagement across Europe. Born and raised in Šuto Orizari, North Macedonia, she brings over fifteen years of experience in Roma civil society, community organising and research across the Western Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe. Her path began in North Macedonia's civic space with the Romano Avazi initiative, and she went on to serve as Program Officer for the Roma Initiatives Office's democracy portfolio and later as Research Manager at the Roma for Democracy Foundation, designing the foundation's data architecture. She holds an MA in Political Science from Central European University and a BA in Psychology from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School's programme on leadership, organising and narrative-driven change.

Petrica Dulgheru is executive director of the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI) and a former member of the Roma Advisory Board of the Open Society Foundations. In 2011 he received his PhD in chemistry from University College Dublin, Ireland. Shortly thereafter he moved to Belgium, where he held a management position in a private company and continued his academic career with a post-doctoral fellowship at the Free University of Brussels. As a Roma who has spent substantial time working in largely non-Roma private and government organisations, Petrica is able to provide both insider and outsider views about Roma issues and policies.

Stanislav Daniel is Director of the Roma Education Fund in Slovakia — a Roma rights activist, advocate, researcher and trainer. As a member of the community, his knowledge combines first-hand experience with theory gained through formal and non-formal education. His previous roles include the Roma Education Fund, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the European Roma Rights Centre, among others. His research focuses primarily on education, but also covers housing, state responses to racially motivated violence, and freedom of movement.

Aleksandra Georgieva is Program Officer within RFD's Deliver pillar, implementing initiatives that help Roma mayors, councillors and public officials convert electoral mandates into tangible results. She concentrates on governance development, institutional frameworks, project design and municipal development opportunities. Drawing on more than five years of experience, she has worked with Roma municipal leaders across Bulgaria through consultations, stakeholder facilitation and policy contributions, and she previously served as a municipal councillor in Razlog. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from South-West University Neofit Rilski.

Dancho Yakimov is Research Specialist at Roma for Democracy, contributing to the research architecture of the Roma for Democracy Index by integrating indicators, country-level evidence, institutional data, political analysis and findings from the Roma Trust Barometer. Before joining RFD he was Grants Manager at the Paul Hamlyn Foundation in London, managing support for 90 civil society organisations, and he completed fellowships with the Council of Europe's Roma and Travellers Team and Operation Black Vote London. He holds a Public Policy degree from Central European University in Budapest.

Akif Kariman is Program Director at Roma for Democracy, leading the Strengthen pillar and overseeing durable Roma constituencies and leadership pathways across electoral cycles. Before joining RFD he was active in Roma's Voice in North Macedonia and co-founded AVAJA, where he directed grassroots organising. From 2019 to 2023 he was a fellow with the Open Society Roma Initiatives Office. He studied medicine at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and completed training in organising, political campaigning, leadership and public engagement through programmes connected to Harvard Kennedy School, Columbia University and the Hertie School. At RFD he integrates political information, leadership development, constituency organising and public dialogue.

Before joining Roma for Democracy, Selvije Mustafi Alkan worked as a grassroots organiser with AVAJA in North Macedonia, where she supported national election campaigns, led local teams, organised protests and facilitated public mobilisation. She earned a degree in English Language and Literature from South East European University and is currently pursuing a master's in Diplomacy. Her professional development includes the Obama Foundation Leaders Europe programme in 2022 and the American Council of Young Political Leaders programme in 2024. At RFD she identifies emerging leaders, facilitates skill-building and accountability, and supports their advancement into roles involving voter organisation and public leadership.

Over the past decade Adela Militaru has advanced Roma political participation through roles at OSCE/ODIHR and the Open Society Foundations. Her field experience extends across Southern, Central and Eastern Europe and India, and she has worked with the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and civil society partners. Her academic and professional background spans psychology, educational sciences, international development and political science. At RFD she turns individual incidents into documented patterns that institutions must answer, protecting participation before, during and after elections by strengthening procedural safeguards and carrying evidence into national and European decision-making.

Anda Constantin is Country Manager for Roma for Democracy in Romania, managing RFD's country development initiatives and coordinating implementation across political participation, democratic governance, institutional accountability and support for Roma-led public leadership. Her background encompasses human rights advocacy, public communication and civic engagement work with Roma elected officials, and she previously took part in Aresel campaigns and public initiatives centred on representation, dignity, anti-racism and equal political participation. She is currently studying Public Administration at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest.

Adrian Tudor is Program Officer in RFD's Protect pillar, working closely with Program Director Adela Militaru on institutional engagement and on developing relationships and funding opportunities that advance RFD's mission. Before joining RFD he coordinated communications at Aresel in Romania, where he shaped public strategy and supported civic mobilisation and electoral observation. His experience spans content production, campaign management, technology and the translation of complex political issues into clear public narratives. Adrian holds degrees in Law and Management and is a fellow of the Aspen Institute, the National Democratic Institute and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Mensur Haliti leads the Roma for Democracy Foundation with a focus on expanding political representation. He previously directed political leadership and institutional development at the Open Society Roma Initiatives through 2024. He holds several leadership positions, including Vice President for Democracy and Network Development at the Roma Foundation for Europe and Chair of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture. He holds an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Hertie School, with additional executive training at Harvard Kennedy School, MIT Sloan and Oxford's Saïd Business School. His research examines Romanipe as a governance framework, and his work centres on the connections between democratic legitimacy, political representation and institutional strength across Europe.

Stevica Nikolić is Movement Building Specialist at Roma for Democracy, contributing movement-building expertise to the organising capacity, leadership and public infrastructure through which Roma can act as a constituency and engage decision-makers on systemic change. Active since the age of 16, he began with the Red Cross and the Association of Roma Students before co-founding Opre Roma Serbia. He has worked on voter turnout, census self-identification, anti-racism, infrastructure and mass dialogues connecting Roma with Serbia's President, Prime Minister and ministers, and has trained more than thirty trainers. He holds a degree in Management Engineering, is a former Roma Education Fund scholar and Open Society Foundations fellow, a GIZ-certified trainer of trainers and an NDI-certified political skills trainer.

Stevan Gligorin is Digital Specialist at Roma for Democracy, contributing digital expertise and systems across Strengthen, Protect and Deliver. His work spans digital strategy, communications infrastructure, public engagement, media relations and practical technology. He previously served as State Secretary at Serbia's Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, and at the Roma Education Fund he progressed from National Coordinator to Regional Programme Manager for the Western Balkans. He has taught database systems and computer networks at the University of Novi Sad. His further training includes Stanford University's Digital Transformation Programme and the Hertie School's political campaign management programme.

Jelena Reljić is Research Specialist at Roma for Democracy, where she conducts social research across the organisation's three areas of focus. Her work examines public opinion, political attitudes and behaviour, and translates these findings into programme strategy and leadership development. Her research interests include leadership performance, electoral readiness, leadership progression and the factors influencing participation and collective action. She holds a master's degree in Sociology from the Faculty of Philosophy, and applies sociological and feminist perspectives to structural inequality and Roma women's political agency.

Diana Boia leads communications across Roma for Democracy's three pillars — Strengthen, Protect and Deliver — overseeing institutional and field communication, media relations and public positioning. With over thirteen years in European campaigns, public affairs and international communications, she has supported European Commission presidential campaigns in 2014 and 2024, directed global communications for Climate-KIC across more than 45 countries, and worked with Microsoft Europe and BBC StoryWorks. She holds a degree in Management and Economic Studies and took part in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.