Call for Applications: 2026 Roma Leadership Academy “Nicolae Gheorghe”

ODIHR launches a call for applications for the 2026 Roma Leadership Academy “Nicolae Gheorghe”, taking place from 23 to 27 November in Budapest, Hungary.

Roma and Sinti remain significantly underrepresented in elected office, public administration and other decision-making structures. Increasing representation is essential, but effective participation requires the skills to navigate institutions, understand how decisions are made, build support, communicate persuasively and turn priorities into policy. The Roma Leadership Academy focuses on the practical skills needed to participate effectively in political and institutional processes and influence public policy.

The 2026 edition is implemented by our office in co-operation with the Central European University Romani Studies Program and it is part of ODIHR’s partnership with the EEA and Norway Grants. 

Applications are open to Roma and Sinti from the following OSCE participating States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia.

You can watch a video from the 2019 Roma Leadership Academy below.

During the five-day programme, participants will work on stakeholder and influence mapping, briefings and talking points, simulated meetings, speech-writing and delivery, media interviews and negotiation exercises.

The programme is delivered by an experienced team of mentors who have served in senior roles across public institutions, international organizations and civil society. Drawing on their professional experience, mentors will provide participants with practical guidance and feedback throughout the Academy.

By the end of the Academy, participants will be better equipped to:

• understand policy-making processes and identify where and how they can influence decisions;
• use evidence and priorities to develop clear policy objectives and messages;
• prepare briefings and communicate effectively with decision-makers;
• speak to different audiences and handle media interviews; and
• negotiate and build support for policy objectives.

The Academy will bring together selected Roma and Sinti participants from different professional backgrounds, including elected officials, political appointees, public servants, aspiring political candidates and civil society advocates. This will provide opportunities to compare experiences of policy influence and political participation across different roles and national contexts, and to discuss current challenges in Roma leadership.

The Academy is intended for Roma and Sinti engaged in, or seeking to enter, public and political decision-making. Priority will be given in the following order:

1. Roma and Sinti elected officials and political appointees;
2. Roma and Sinti public officials working in executive structures, public administration or state institutions;
3. Roma and Sinti aspiring political candidates, whether representing Roma and Sinti parties or organizations, mainstream political parties, or standing as independent candidates; and
4. Roma and Sinti civil society representatives actively engaged in policy advocacy at local, regional or national level.

The working language of the Academy is English. Participants must have sufficient command of English to take part fully in the programme and must attend all five days.

ODIHR will cover all participation costs, including travel to and from Budapest, accommodation and meals.

Applications are open until 1 September 2026.

Selection will consider applicants’ current or prospective role in public and political decision-making, relevant experience and motivation. Gender and geographical balance will also be taken into account.

Candidates should complete the online application form: APPLY HERE

Successful applicants will be notified by: mid-September.

For questions about the Academy, please contact Jashar Jasharov at Jashar.Jasharov@odihr.pl.

The Academy is named after Nicolae Gheorghe (1946–2013), a prominent Roma activist and intellectual who led ODIHR’s Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues from 1999 to 2006. His work linked Roma civic mobilization with engagement in political institutions and public policy, and he played a key role in developing the 2003 OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area. His legacy continues to shape the Academy’s approach to Roma leadership.