On 30 and 31 October 2025, the Roma Integration III Joint Programme and the Commissioner for Protection of Equality in Serbia conducted a training on addressing discrimination and antigypsyism at the Council of Europe (CoE) Office in Belgrade. The training was attended by 26 representatives from 20 Centres for Social Work across Serbia.
The aim of the training was to support public servants from the social protection system in recognising, understanding and responding to discrimination and antigypsyism. Participants had the opportunity to gain additional knowledge on the causes, forms and consequences of antigypsyism, as well as on relevant legislation and institutional mechanisms for protection against discrimination. Challenges in addressing antigypsyism were discussed, alongside examples of good practice in the prevention of and response to discriminatory situations.
The Commissioner for Protection of Equality, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, and an Adviser from the Republic Institute for Social Protection addressed participants during the opening session. Representatives of these institutions highlighted the importance of combating antigypsyism as a precondition for ensuring equal access to social protection services and the fulfilment of human rights for the Roma community.
On the first day, a session on forms of discrimination and the mandate of the Commissioner for Protection of Equality was held, followed by a presentation on the historical and social context of antigypsyism. The focus was on understanding key concepts, learning about institutional protection mechanisms, and encouraging professionals to reflect on their own practices. The second day included practical work, case analysis and group activities, during which participants identified manifestations of antigypsyism and proposed concrete steps for appropriate professional intervention, in line with the ethical principles of social work.
The Research on the Perception of Roma on Discrimination, prepared within the joint CoE and EU Roma Integration III Programme in cooperation with the Commissioner for Protection of Equality, showed that 63% of respondents from the Roma community had experienced discrimination in public institutions, including Centres for Social Work. The Action Plan 2022–2024 for the implementation of the Strategy for Social Inclusion of Roma 2022–2030 recognises the need to organise training on discrimination and antigypsyism for public servants.
The training provided an opportunity to raise knowledge and awareness of discrimination and antigypsyism among public servants in the social protection system in Serbia. The initiative contributed to strengthening institutional capacities, improving professional practice, and enhancing service provision to ensure the fulfilment of the human rights of the Roma community in Serbia.
The activity was organised within the EU/CoE Roma Integration - Phase III Joint Programme.
