Education can open doors to new opportunities, greater independence and stronger participation in society. But access to learning is not the same for everyone. For many adults, especially those facing social or economic barriers, the opportunity to develop new skills can be an important first step towards greater confidence and inclusion.
This is where EDURom comes in.
Education that responds to real needs
EDURom – Education for the Social Inclusion of Roma is an Erasmus+ project focused on improving access to education and strengthening the social inclusion of Roma adults.
The project brings together organisations from Croatia, Germany/Austria and Romania to explore educational needs, identify barriers to participation and develop learning opportunities that are practical, accessible and relevant to everyday life.
At the heart of EDURom is a simple idea: education should respond to the real needs of people and give them knowledge and skills they can actually use.
Building digital and soft skills
Digital skills have become an essential part of everyday life. From accessing information and communicating online to using digital services and navigating the workplace, technology is increasingly present in almost every area of life.
EDURom focuses on helping Roma adults develop greater confidence in using digital tools, while also strengthening soft skills that are important for personal development, employment and participation in the community.
Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability and confidence can make a real difference when people are looking for work, continuing their education or simply trying to navigate everyday challenges more independently.
The aim is not only to teach new skills, but to create a learning environment in which participants feel supported and encouraged to use what they have learned.
From learning to new opportunities
EDURom also explores ways of connecting non-formal learning with opportunities within formal education, including programmes leading to micro-qualifications.
For adults who may have previously experienced barriers to education, these pathways can provide an opportunity to continue learning, strengthen their competences and improve their position in the labour market.
Education is therefore viewed as a process that can lead to concrete opportunities — for employment, further learning, greater independence and more active participation in society.
Learning through international cooperation
EDURom connects the experience and knowledge of three partner organisations working in different national and social contexts.
Centar za cjeloživotno učenje i kulturu Bjelovar coordinates the project and brings extensive experience in adult education, European cooperation and the development of educational programmes.
Academia Rromaï, represented by Verein für Rroma zu Rroma e.V., contributes expertise in Roma education, culture, language, research and the fight against antigypsyism.
Pe Bune from Romania brings experience in non-formal education and working with vulnerable groups, including Roma communities, through local and international educational initiatives.
This international cooperation allows partners to exchange experiences, compare approaches and learn from examples of good practice in different European contexts.
One of the first EDURom learning and exchange activities took place in Vienna, where project partners discussed educational needs and barriers faced by Roma, stereotypes and discrimination, the role of education in empowerment and inclusion, as well as the importance of Romani language and culture. The programme also included an exchange of good practices with Romano Centro, one of Austria’s prominent Roma organisations.
Such exchanges provide valuable insight for the further development of EDURom activities and help partners look at education and inclusion from different perspectives.
From individual skills to stronger communities
The impact of education goes beyond the individual.
When people have better access to learning, develop new competences and gain confidence in their abilities, they are better equipped to participate in their communities and make use of opportunities available to them.
For this reason, EDURom approaches education as an important part of building a more inclusive community — one in which participation, learning and personal development are accessible to more people.
For CUK Bjelovar, this project is also a continuation of its work in adult education and its commitment to creating new learning opportunities. Through international cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experience, EDURom contributes to the development of new approaches to adult education and social inclusion in Bjelovar and beyond.
What comes next?
The next phase of the project will bring learning opportunities directly to participants. The programme is planned to begin at the beginning of autumn and will focus on developing digital and soft skills through non-formal education.
Anyone interested in learning more about participation can contact CUK Bjelovar by email at info@cuk.hr, by phone at 043 241 298, or visit CUK Bjelovar in person.
EDURom is a 21-month Erasmus+ project running from 15 September 2025 to 14 June 2027. The total project value is EUR 120,000.
Project number: 2025-1-HR01-KA220-ADU-000363333
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Facebook: EDURomproject
Instagram: edurom.project
Website: edurom.eu
