ACADE-ME – Accelerating Capabilities against Anti-Gypsyism and Discriminations in Education comes to an end in April 2026. The project represents a concrete step in the fight against discrimination and in the promotion of the inclusion of Roma communities within the education system.
Funded by the European CERV programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values), ACADE-ME was created with a clear goal: to improve the life prospects of Roma people and foster full social inclusion, using education as a key driver of change. Throughout the project, partners from Slovenia, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria and Serbia worked actively together, involving educators, social workers, university students, and members of Roma communities.
This joint effort made it possible to address a still highly relevant challenge: anti-Gypsyism 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 core aspects of ACADE-ME was the concrete shift from theoretical reflection to action. The project built a solid knowledge base and transformed it into accessible educational tools usable in everyday practice.
The starting point was significant research work, which resulted in an approximately 200-page e-book analyzing in depth the manifestations of anti-Gypsyism in European education systems. This study did not simply describe the phenomenon but provided a key foundation for developing targeted educational responses.
Based on these findings, a structured educational programme was designed, aimed both at professionals working in education and inclusion, and at Roma university students and young graduates. To complete this pathway, a multilingual online platform was developed, making these materials easily accessible and offering teaching resources and practical tools available over time.
Alongside the theoretical development, the project placed strong emphasis on field testing. The training models were piloted through activities involving hundreds of participants across partner countries. Educators, social workers and sector professionals took part in dedicated 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 aligned with real needs.
A particularly significant element of the project was its strong investment in the empowerment of Roma women. In each partner country, Women Roma Academy Clubs were created—spaces for active participation where women could exchange experiences, grow, and strengthen their role within their communities.
At the same time, ACADE-ME also explored the potential of new digital languages by developing a training model for TikTok influencers. The aim was to provide concrete tools to tell different, positive stories capable of countering stereotypes and discriminatory narratives.
Awareness-raising accompanied the entire project. Through the production of multilingual videos, the creation of an online TikTok library of testimonies, and the organisation of public events across participating countries, ACADE-ME helped raise greater awareness of discrimination in education.
The six national awareness events taking 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 wider public. In Italy, in particular, the initiative will be carried out through theatrical language with the performance “ROM VS TUTTI”, created and performed by Rašid Nikolić, an artist of Roma origin, scheduled in Rome on 23 April. The performance defies definitions and uses them as a playground: a kind of cultural ring where prejudice is staged, confronted, and exposed.
An impact that goes 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 increased awareness of anti-Gypsyism while also providing practical tools for those working in education. It has supported the personal and professional growth of young Roma people, highlighting their role as positive role models, and has strengthened European cooperation networks.
With the project’s conclusion, what remains is not only a set of results but a tangible legacy. The developed materials, 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 shows that investing in inclusive education means laying the foundations for fairer and more cohesive societies. The project ends, but its impact continues, paving the way for new initiatives and for a future in which equality and opportunity can become a reality for all.
