Spring 2022: The Order of Malta’s work with Roma communities in Europe

Ten Years of Presence:

The Order of Malta’s work with Roma communities in Europe

A Hungarian Relief Service volunteer with a Roma guest

His Excellency Franz Salm-Reifferscheidt

Ambassador at Large for the Roma People

HE Franz Salm-Reifferscheidt has been a member of the Order of Malta for over 50 years. In 2013, he took on the role of Ambassador at Large for the Roma People.

Over the last ten years, the Order's work with Roma communities has expanded from a handful of projects to 25 centres across nine countries. His Excellency co-ordinates efforts between countries: fundraising, speaking to policy makers and social and healthcare professionals, and building support for Roma communities.

The growth of these programmes is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the Ambassador as well as the many dedicated Order of Malta staff and volunteers breaking down barriers and removing stigma to create change. The Fund is proud to have been a partner in developing these projects together with Ambassador Salm.

To celebrate this milestone, the Global Fund for Forgotten People has produced a brochure detailing the growth and achievements of this work and highlighting the plight of the Roma people.

Click here to read the brochure

Centuries of need

Between ten and twelve million Roma people live in Europe. They have faced persecution, rejection and forced assimilation for centuries; discrimination continues today.

48% of Roma people in Europe live in poverty. 68% of Roma children leave school earlier than their peers and only 18% go on to higher education. They may be refused access to housing or evicted without notice, denied entrance to mainstream schools, and refused jobs. Many are stateless, lacking papers to prove citizenship in the country where they live.

Countries where the Order of Malta is working with Roma communities across Europe

The importance of presence

The key to the Order of Malta’s approach to working with Roma communities is presence. We build relationships with the communities we serve, based on mutual trust and respect between our volunteers and staff, and the families and community leaders with whom we work.

To address the issues faced by Roma communities, the Order of Malta prioritises seven key areas of work:

Support from the Global Fund for Forgotten People

Over the last ten years, the Fund has awarded 32 grants to Roma projects which have helped establish new programmes, and expand others to reach ever greater numbers of people. Some examples include:

“The Order of Malta has always worked with those who have no other means of support. As we look to the future, I want to ensure our continued presence in these communities for as long as the need exists, expanding the services and support we offer our Roma friends to safeguard their health and happiness.”

H.E. Franz Salm-Reifferscheidt

Click here to read the brochure

A new Roma centre in Slovakia

Last week saw the opening of a new Roma centre in Topoľčany, providing pre-school education programmes, extracurricular activities and mentoring for children, and programmes for young mothers. The Centre was officially opened on 21^st March by H.E. Franz Salm-Reifferscheidt.

Left to right: Mr Ján Hero, Representative of the Slovakian Government to the Roma Communities, H.E. Franz Salm-Reifferscheidt, the Order's Ambassador at Large for the Roma People, H.E. Justin Simpson, CEO of the Fund, Dr. Alexandra Gieciová, Mayor of Topoľčany, Július Brichta, President of the Slovakian Relief Service

Fund wins film award!

In 2022, the Global Fund for Forgotten People released a three-minute film to showcase how the Order of Malta serves the world’s neediest. The film recently won an award at the international FilmAt Festival competition in the category ‘Fundraising, Non-profit, CSR’.

The film was created to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Fund and is available in six languages: English, French, Italian, German, Arabic and Chinese. Read more here.

Watch here

H.E. Niels Lorijn, the Order’s Ambassador to Poland, collecting the award on the Fund’s behalf.

Romanian Relief Service

Support the Forgotten

"I want to complete university successfully and I dream of having a job that I love. Now I realise that it is my turn to support my family and other children in a way that I was supported in the past by the Order of Malta. Who am I now? A young girl with a dream of a better future for the children and their families.”

Anabela first attended an Order programme aged four. She is now a volunteer, helping other young children.

Help us to help more children like Anabela reach their full potential.

Donate here