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Roma people

We promote the realisation of Roma human rights in Finland and Eastern Europe. 

Our Roma work in Finland 
Our Roma work internationally 
Two women sitting close together on a bed in a warmly decorated room, smiling and holding hands, conveying a sense of support and friendship.

The vulnerable position of Roma people remains one of Europe’s major human rights issues

Roma are Europe’s largest and most discriminated-against ethnic minority, and particularly in Eastern Europe, severe discrimination and segregation from the rest of the population affect Roma lives in many ways. 

Extreme poverty, malnutrition, poor housing conditions and the lack of health and social services have led to Roma having the shortest life expectancy of any population group in Europe. Many do not even have citizenship of their country or identity documents entitling them to basic services. 

Their position is weakened above all by structural barriers and discriminatory practices that are deeply rooted in society. In Eastern Europe, it is not uncommon for doctors to refuse to touch Roma patients. In Romania, for example, emergency services may even refuse to enter a Roma community in an emergency. 

Kaksi henkilöä juomassa kuppia ulkona, taustalla auton kylki, jossa lukee "Rohkeasti ihmisarvon puolesta".

Eastern European Roma in Finland

Discrimination, poverty and lack of prospects in Eastern Europe lead Roma to seek better livelihoods in other countries. When Eastern European Roma first began to appear on the streets of Helsinki in 2007, the Deaconess Foundation was among the first to support them in Finland and to influence the situation in their countries of origin. 

The Hirundo day centre, established in 2011, continues to offer support and services to Roma from Eastern Europe in Helsinki. Hirundo Mobile brings psychosocial support and advisory services to where people are. We also promote the employment of migrant Roma in Pietarsaari, support young Roma women through mentoring, and develop Roma people’s digital and financial skills. 

Our work with Roma people in Finland

Nuori nainen katsoo sivulle ulkona hämärässä, taustalla epätarkka talo ja luonto.
Photo: Meeri Koutaniemi.

Our Roma work in Eastern Europe 

In Eastern Europe, we work closely with Roma organisations in various countries through our development cooperation programme. We have also worked in Romania for a long time and conduct joint projects with other Roma organisations within the EU area. 

We strengthen the capacity of Roma organisations, promoting networking and social advocacy. Advocacy work aimed at changing legislation and structures is central to our activities, both within countries and internationally. 

This work is gradually producing results. The human rights situation of Roma in Eastern Europe is slowly but surely changing, as the campaigning work of Roma organisations and activists for Roma human rights has led to many improvements. 

We strengthen Roma participation and do anti-racist work 

The Deaconess Foundation also works closely with Finnish Roma organisations. 

Our approach to anti-racist work is based on the intersectional feminism approach, where we recognise how different dimensions of identity, such as ethnicity, gender and socio-economic position, are intertwined in the experiences of Roma communities. 

We tackle multi-ground discrimination holistically, strengthening Roma rights and participation both in Finland and in Europe. 

We support Roma pride in their culture, sense of community and creativity, thereby strengthening an identity that is passed down through the generations.. 

Our work emphasises the courage, vitality and significant contribution of Roma communities to European cultural heritage. We promote opportunities to learn and share their own history, traditions and language. 

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Questions and answers about Eastern European Roma in Finland

Roma are Europe’s largest and most discriminated-against ethnic minority, and particularly in Eastern Europe, severe discrimination and segregation from the rest of the population affect Roma lives in many ways. Roma face systematic discrimination in their home countries from the rest of society and from authorities. They often live in inadequate conditions, and not all homes have electricity or water connections. Crimes against Roma are not always properly investigated. 

Discrimination often prevents people from getting work and undermines school attendance. Consequently, the Roma population is often poor and behind the rest of society in terms of education. Social benefits in many Eastern European countries are nowhere near Finnish levels, often being insufficient to cover essential expenses. In the absence of any other options, Roma families send members to earn a living in wealthier European countries. 

From time to time, it is alleged that begging is an organised criminal activity involving situations such as forced labour or human trafficking. 

According to what the Deaconess Foundation has observed, this is not the case, at least not on any significant scale. The Roma people that we see begging on the streets are ordinary individuals with families in Eastern European countries. Typically, one adult from these families will seek work opportunities in a wealthier European country while the rest of the family remains behind. Their children are left in the care of a trusted relative. The idea is that the person earning an income abroad sends money to their family back home. 

Firstly, the Eastern European Roma community does a tremendous amount itself. The Deaconess Foundation provides support in the background to help people to build a brighter future. 

The Foundation offers help and support to Eastern European Roma at Hirundo, a day centre located in Herttoniemi, Helsinki. Here, people can shower, do their laundry, use the internet, rest in a safe environment, and enjoy refreshments over a cup of coffee. We also provide guidance and advice on social and health services, as well as help with daily matters. 

Together with our partners, we seek to provide better livelihood opportunities than begging. Through our support, dozens of Roma have already obtained their first employment contracts. Activities for immigrants are funded by the Deaconess Foundation, the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health (STEA), the City of Helsinki, and the European Union, among others. 

Eastern European Roma who have come to Finland actively seek work opportunities. After years of trying, some individuals have obtained permanent employment in sectors such as cleaning or construction. 

Over the years, they have found various ways to earn a living, such as selling handicrafts and visual art alongside professional artists. We also regularly employ Eastern European Roma as part-time experts by experience at the Hirundo community centre. 

An important source of income is from selling Iso Numero magazine. Anyone can sell the magazine, and the seller receives half of the €10 sale price. 

The Roma have found many creative ways to earn money, such as selling flowers and picking berries. Collecting bottles is another common way to earn money. Begging is always a last resort, but many people are forced to do it. 

The Deaconess Foundation has been actively working for many years to improve the rights of the Roma population in Bulgaria, Romania and Kosovo. In spring 2019, we expanded our work to include the Roma communities in Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. 

We work to improve employment opportunities for Roma women and help them set up their own enterprises. We enhance Roma education and support their participation in decision-making processes that affects them. 

Read more about our international work

We are actively involved in political advocacy work to eliminate structural discrimination and poverty among the Roma community. Our most important discussion partners are EU bodies as well as decision-makers and authorities in Eastern European countries. 

If you want to help, we heartily recommend donating to our work to support and defend the rights of the Roma community. 

Many Roma people sell the magazine Iso Numero. Buying the magazine is an effective way to support them, as the seller receives half of the €10 sale price. Selling the magazine is a much more effective way of earning money than begging. 

Together as civil society, we can demand from our country’s government and the European Union a solution to the unsustainable situation and unnecessary suffering of Roma.