The year 2024 was a significant period for the Czechoslovak Roma Union, which brought not only many successes, but also new challenges, opportunities and important progress in our goals. Our organization focused on what we consider to be key this year – improving the living conditions of residents of excluded localities, strengthening community cohesion, fighting for equality and justice and, last but not least, supporting cultural heritage and education. These areas have long been a priority for us, which is why we invested significant effort and resources in their development in 2024.
Every single project, every activity and every event that we devoted ourselves to this year had one common goal – to contribute to positive change and improve the quality of life of the people our work targets. In this report, we would like to present all activities, successes and challenges in detail and provide you with a detailed overview of what we achieved in 2024.

Community work in Mojžíř and Předlice

Our community work has been one of the most important pillars of our activities for several years, which is why in 2024 we continued to intensively support the communities in Mojžíř and Předlice. These areas, which are struggling with problems associated with social exclusion, are home to many families facing everyday challenges. In these communities, we managed to create a stable network of 34 volunteers who are actively involved in various activities aimed at improving the lives of local residents. In addition, we were joined by another 4 volunteers who are mainly dedicated to activities at the Vladimír Hotel, where we help Ukrainian refugees.

The main activities of our volunteers included, for example, regular cleaning of public spaces. These actions not only contributed to a better appearance and hygiene of the local area, but also strengthened the sense of belonging and responsibility among residents. Another important initiative was the organization of football training for children, which not only developed their fitness and sports skills, but also strengthened team spirit and offered a safe space for fun and development. In addition to sports activities, we also prepared various competitions and other community events that supported interpersonal relationships and brought joy to the everyday lives of residents.

We placed special emphasis on activities focused on education. Czech language teaching and leisure educational programs proved to be a very effective tool for involving children and adults in the majority society. Thanks to financial support from the Via Foundation, we were able to purchase new equipment for our volunteers, which significantly facilitated their work. Based on cooperation with local residents, we also founded the Pro lepší Mojžíř association in Mojžíř, which focuses on long-term improvement of conditions in this location. This initiative was received with great enthusiasm and showed how important the participation of the residents themselves is in changes in their own community.

Fighting discrimination and promoting equality

One of the key objectives of our Union is to fight discrimination and promote equal treatment of all groups of the population, regardless of their origin, ethnicity or social status. In 2024, we decided to focus not only on solving specific cases of discrimination, but also on preventive measures and awareness-raising activities. We organized several campaigns aimed at drawing attention to the problems of social exclusion and promoting dialogue between different groups of the population.

One of the most successful projects was a series of workshops aimed at young people, who were introduced to the principles of equal treatment, tolerance and understanding. These events took place in schools and community centers with the aim of educating the younger generation about the importance of respect and solidarity. In addition, we participated in several regional and national initiatives aimed at improving the legislative framework for the protection of minority rights.

Children’s Days and Creative Competitions

We also had great success in organizing children’s days and creative competitions. These events were aimed not only at children, but also at adults, who could spend time with their children in a pleasant and inspiring atmosphere. Creative competitions in painting and other artistic disciplines supported the development of many children’s talents and at the same time contributed to strengthening community ties. These activities were especially popular among families, who thanks to them spent more time together and established new relationships with other residents.

Helping the elderly

One of our important priorities this year was also the care of the elderly, who often struggle with loneliness and isolation. Our volunteers regularly visited the elderly, helped them with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping or minor cleaning, and above all provided them with much-needed company. This activity is very important to us, because we believe that everyone deserves a dignified old age and the feeling that they are not alone.

Professionalization of the association and new projects
In February 2024, we applied for a grant to professionalize our organization from the grant call 073. Thanks to the funds received, we were able to employ two part-time workers from October, who focus on developing fundraising, supporting volunteering and increasing the visibility of our activities. This step was crucial for us, as it allowed us to better plan and coordinate our projects. In addition, we created a new logo for our union, which better reflects our values ​​and mission. In cooperation with experts, we are also preparing a new website that will help us improve communication with the public and partners.

Sunday lunches for the poor and homeless

For the sixth year in a row, we have been cooking and serving Sunday lunches for the poor and homeless. This tradition is a key pillar of our activities and provides assistance to those most in need.

Cooperation with the Food Bank

Thanks to our cooperation with the Food Bank Prague, we ensure the weekly delivery of fast-food to excluded locations, which significantly contributes to the fight against hunger and food waste.

Conclusion

The year 2024 was an exceptionally challenging, but also very successful period for the Czechoslovak Roma Union. However, all our activities would not be possible without the support of our volunteers, partners and donors. We thank everyone who participated in our work, and we look forward to another year full of new opportunities and challenges. Together we can continue to bring positive changes to the lives of many people.

Sincerely,
The Czechoslovak Roma Union