Claudia Lixandru

Roma Education Fund Foundation

The mission of Roma Education Fund (REF) is to contribute to closing the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma. The REF Network includes four legally separate foundations that have been established in Switzerland (2005), Hungary (2006), Romania (2009), Slovakia (2014), Serbia (2019). How does REF achieve its mission? Grants REF provides grants to civil society and public institutions to implement education projects for: • expanding Roma children's access to quality early childhood education and care. • improving primary education outcomes for Roma children ages 6-14. • boosting academic performance and graduation rates from secondary education for Roma pupils. • improving graduation rates and strengthening the identity of Roma students in tertiary education • enhancing employment prospects for young Roma and adults through second chance programs for adult education and training Tertiary education scholarships REF provides merit-based, open competition academic scholarships for Roma students pursuing Bachelor, Master or Doctorate degrees at state-accredited universities. Advocacy and research REF promotes evidence-based models of good practice and advocates for innovative methodologies, curriculum reform and renewed policies targeting Roma students. External support REF implements large-scale projects funded by European Structural Funds, EU Instruments for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), EEA/Norway Grants and the German Development (KfW) to amplify its mission. Investing and innovating in Roma education: Toy Libraries - learning by playing Your story sessions - empowering mothers School desegregation - enrolling children in mainstream schools Tutoring and mentoring - improving grades and preventing dropouts Secondary and tertiary education scholarships - financial and academic support to complete their studies RomaVersitas student centers - transitioning to employment info@romaeducationfund.org