In the narrow streets of Yeniköy neighbourhood in Diyarbakır, children’s laughter mingles with curious glances and warm greetings from local residents. Despite the modest conditions, there is a strong sense of community and resilience in the air. Home to many Dom families, Yeniköy carries stories of perseverance, belonging, and the everyday struggle for dignity.

It was here, as part of the European Union–Council of Europe Joint Programme ‘Roma Integration – Phase III’, that a field visit was carried out to listen, learn, and connect with local communities, seeing firsthand how inclusion begins with understanding and empathy.

The programme places people at its centre, with a focus on promoting active inclusion and improving employment opportunities for Roma communities. A key achievement of the programme has been its contribution to the development of the Roma Employment Strategy Action Plan and Roadmap, which was subsequently incorporated into the national roadmap by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. This demonstrates how community-level insights and practical experience can directly inform national policy.

During the visit, particular attention was given to how inclusion policies are applied locally and how coordination among institutions functions in practice. The visit was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Council of Europe, who actively participated in discussions to explore cooperation mechanisms and deepen their understanding of the challenges faced by communities. Their involvement provided valuable insight into the practical implementation of policies at the local level.

The team also examined housing conditions, assessing whether equal and fair housing rights are being realised and which approaches—such as on-site improvement or urban transformation—might best support residents. These options will be further evaluated in cooperation with public authorities.

The purpose of the visit went beyond observation: it sought to understand how project efforts are translating into meaningful change for communities. In the coming period, the programme will continue working with relevant institutions, including the Ministry, to support the implementation of the identified policies and actions, ensuring that plans developed on paper can be realised in practice.

In Diyarbakır, inclusion was not merely observed—it was experienced. The voices, stories, and determination of residents illustrated what genuine progress looks like: change that begins within communities and grows stronger each day.