The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a training for its staff and colleagues from other UN agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which participants had the opportunity - through personal stories and open dialogue - to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and resilience of the Roma community in everyday life.

This activity is part of the implementation of the Country Programme Document 2026–2030, which emphasizes full social participation of marginalized groups and equal access to opportunities across all segments of society.

Participants from various UN agencies and partner institutions heard authentic testimonies from members of the Roma community and discussed ways to overcome existing barriers. The training reaffirmed that the principle “No one should be left out” is not reflected only in projects and documents, but in creating spaces where the voices of those who are often excluded are heard and respected.

Opening the training, Renaud Meyer, UNDP Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reminded that Roma culture, music, and tradition form an inseparable part of the country’s cultural heritage and are a source of shared pride. “We all love Roma music, we take pride in its rhythm and energy,” said Meyer, “but when it comes to real opportunities to support Roma people, to open doors to employment and equal opportunities, we still do not see enough progress.”

In line with the approach defined in theCountry Programme Document 2026–2030, Meyer emphasized that inclusion cannot be reduced to a principle - it must become a daily practice lived through programmes, policies, and partnerships.

Dragana Seferović Pilav, a physical education teacher and single mother of three, shared her life story that connects personal resilience with artistic expression through painting and dance. Her story began in a children’s home after her parents left her, believing she would never walk. They saw a limitation—she saw a challenge. Growing up in a children’s home and later in an SOS Village, she found warmth and support that shaped her life path.

During the training, Dragana spoke about what it means to be Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina today, stressing that life remains difficult and that her greatest fear is that her children will face discrimination. Her work in the inclusive performance PULS, realized within the project The Body of Sound: Inclusive Performing Practices for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Persons, demonstrates how art can become a bridge between different worlds of experience and sensitivity, amplifying voices that society too often marginalizes.

The training also featured Leon I., a young transgender person of Roma origin, whose story of growing up in institutions and struggling for access to education revealed the multiple layers of exclusion. “The system rejects you – is it because you’re Roma, or because you’re trans? It’s hard to tell,” said Leon, emphasizing how important it is to recognize the complexity of each person’s identity and needs.

Additional perspectives were shared by Dalibor Tanić, journalist and activist, who spoke about systemic barriers ranging from education to employment, and Begzada Jovanović from Bijeljina, who highlighted the position of Roma women, youth, and persons with disabilities in local communities.

The training was a reminder that inclusion is not an addition to projects—it is their essence. Stories like those of Dragana and Leon showed that social equality begins with recognizing each individual as a driver of change, while art, education, and solidarity remain essential bridges toward genuine social cohesion.