From January to September 2025, 54 Roma families in five municipalities of North Macedonia (Kavadarci, Kochani, Prilep, Veles and Vinica) received official ownership certificates for their homes.

This tangible result marks a significant step forward in improving housing security and promoting social inclusion of Roma communities. The initiative conducted withinthe European Union and Council of Europe Joint Programme “Roma Integration Phase III directly contributes to reducing inequality and ensuring access to safe, legal and dignified housing for Roma families.

For the Roma community, the housing ownership certificates represent much more than formal documentation. Legal ownership brings security, stability, and new opportunities, from accessing public services and applying for housing improvements, to being officially recognised in municipal records.

The process was implemented through close cooperation between local authorities, Roma community representatives and Council of Europe legal experts, demonstrating the value of partnership and coordinated action at local level.

This achievement reflects the Roma Integration Phase III Joint programme’s continued commitment to support Roma families in securing their housing rights in line with Council of Europe standards on adequate housing - a fundamental human right and key condition for social inclusion.

Beyond numbers, the impact is deeply personal: for many families, legal recognition of their homes brings long-awaited dignity, equality, and peace of mind.

With several additional properties currently in the process of legalisation, these efforts are set to expand further, ensuring that even more Roma families in North Macedonia can enjoy the safety and stability of a home they can truly call their own.

This activity is implemented within the European Union and Council of Europe Joint Programme “Roma Integration Phase III”, supporting national authorities in advancing Roma inclusion policies.