Step by Step Foundation for Educational and Cultural Initiatives of Macedonia is organizing an online initiative under a nationwide campaign raising awareness about the importance of equal access to education for Roma children and parents. This campaign is part of the activities of the Roma Empowerment and Awareness for Democracy through Education Project that the foundation is implementing with the financial support of the European Commission and Open Society Foundations.

The online initiative “I want to...” shares individual messages collected from Roma children, young people and parents. These messages highlight their desire for better education and a higher standard of living. This poignant campaign reminds people that, though Roma often have a lower level of education and employment, their hopes and dreams are often no different than anyone else’s. Desires like quality education, a clean environment, healthy food and a steady income are universal. Some of the “wants” voiced by Roma children include, “I want to be an English language teacher when I grow up”, “I want to breathe clean air” and “I want to have my own room.”  

Between 29th May and 20th June 2017, Step by Step Foundation for Educational and Cultural Initiatives of Macedonia will share these messages via their official website and social media channels to raise awareness about the challenges that Roma communities face each day.

The Project for Roma Empowerment and Awareness for Democracy through Education aims to improve the situation of the Roma community. Roma communities often suffer from inadequate education, lack of knowledge and skills to improve employability, low quality of domestic and community life and poor financial situations. These obstacles keep them from participating in democratic decision-making processes on local and national level.

Through this project, the foundation is organizing a series of field events and online initiatives. The project will offer activities to improve education achievements, including school readiness of pre-schoolers, school performance of primary school children and literacy levels of women. The project also shares information to create better parenting practices and support responsible citizenship. The Project for Roma Empowerment and Awareness for Democracy through Education is being implemented until August 2017, and will take place in two Roma communities in the capital of Skopje, Macedonia.

Follow the campaign here.