From 1 October 2026, we are implementing a new international project, LEAR – Litigation, Equality and Awareness about Roma Rights.

The project is implemented in partnership with Minority Rights Group Europe from Hungary, which coordinates the project, and Equal Opportunities Initiative Association from Bulgaria as a project partner.

The LEAR project focuses on strengthening the protection of the fundamental rights of Roma people, improving their access to justice, and promoting the use of strategic litigation to address discrimination and violations of fundamental rights.

What will we focus on?

As part of the project, we will:

  • develop training sessions and educational materials for civil society organisations, Roma activists, and legal professionals;
  • create online educational tools and resources on the protection of fundamental rights;
  • share experiences in strategic litigation and provide mentoring;
  • develop a practical guide to strategic litigation;
  • create an online database of legal cases concerning the fundamental rights of Roma people;
  • raise awareness among Roma communities about their rights and available legal remedies;
  • connect organisations, activists, legal professionals, and institutions working in the field of human rights protection;
  • share experiences at the international level, including through a study visit to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Our goal

Our goal is to contribute to ensuring that Roma people have a better understanding of their fundamental rights and more effective access to legal protection in cases of discrimination and violations of their rights.

At the same time, we aim to strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations, Roma activists, and legal professionals in using strategic litigation and European Union legal tools.

The project also aims to foster closer cooperation between civil society organisations, lawyers, Roma activists, and institutions working in the field of human rights protection.

We believe that greater awareness of rights, more effective access to legal remedies, and the strategic use of law can contribute not only to protecting individuals, but also to advancing broader systemic change.

The project will be implemented from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2028, in cooperation with our partner non-governmental organisation Minority Rights Group Europe, based in Hungary, and our partner organisation Equal Opportunities Initiative Association from Bulgaria.

The project is co-funded by the European Union.

The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.