Menu
work

Blindspot: Kosovo Roma and the Decade

In 1999, more than 100,000 Roma were forced to leave Kosovo and seek refuge in other Balkan countries or in Western Europe. Their displacement was an underreported human tragedy.

By joining the Decade of Roma Inclusion, the governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia assumed the obligation to work toward improving the situation of their Roma communities. Although many Roma from Kosovo live in these countries, their needs are not reflected in programs conducted under the Decade.

Leaving these people to solve their own problems neglects the moral responsibility of the societies in which they arrived and the one which they fled. Eleven years after their expulsion, writes Roma Initiatives fellow Mensur Haliti, the Roma from Kosovo have little hope that they can escape their miserable living conditions, and integrating into new communities seems nearly as impossible as returning home.

This report was originally published on opensocietyfoundations.org

Author(s)

Roma Foundation for Europe

Share this article
Send

The latest

Read about our work and the issues we are addressing.
George Soros (credit: Open Society Foundations)
Voices

George Soros and the Fight for Roma Dignity

24 October 2025
For over 40 years, George Soros has been the leading private supporter of Europe’s Roma—the continent’s largest and most excluded ethnic minority—championing Roma leaders in their fight for equality and against deep-rooted discrimination.
Berlin Process Economy Ministers’ Meeting, London, 16 October 2025
Press

Western Balkans Growth at Risk Without Roma Inclusion, Roma Foundation for Europe Warns Ministers in London

17 October 2025
As Western Balkan and EU ministers gathered in London for the Berlin Process Economy Ministers’ Meeting, the Roma Foundation for Europe called for economic policies that fully include Roma in the region’s growth agenda.
6th Roma Ministerial Meeting, 6 October 2025, Tirana, Albania. Photo: Romet Rogner
Press

Roma Ministerial Meeting 2025: Reinforcing Roma Rights Through the Berlin Process

6 October 2025
The Roma community across the Western Balkans benefits from renewed commitment to tackle discrimination and improve access to essential services. Representatives from across the region gathered in Tirana for the Berlin Process Roma Ministerial Meeting to strengthen efforts on employment, education and housing.

Browse by category

Campaigns

We are on the ground with our network to bring Roma power where it matters.
Campaigns

Events

Information about events from the Roma Foundation for Europe and its network members.
Events

Facts

Briefings, explainers and analyses that explain and highlight complex issues.
Facts

Press

Media coverage of our work, press releases and information for journalists.
Press

Voices

Perspectives, experiences and narratives from the community.
Voices
Offices
BrusselsBerlinBucharestBelgradeSkopje
Sign up for news

Sign up here so you don’t miss out on campaign updates, upcoming events and other news from the Roma Foundation for Europe and our network.

Sign up for our newsletter