Resilient Threads:
Roma Stories Across Generations
Creating space for Roma voices and diversity.
About the Project
Resilient Threads is an innovative European Erasmus+ project dedicated to promoting the visibility and preservation of Roma cultural heritage and empowering Roma youth through the universal language of storytelling, art, and creative expression.
The project seeks to establish a positive narrative for Roma culture in Europe and promote a deeper appreciation of their traditions, music, art, and resilience among non Roma audiences. We aim to strengthen social and cultural connections, helping to bridge the intercultural and social divide across the continent.
The project duration is 15 months, beginning on 01 September 2025 and concluding on 30 November 2026.
Our Core Objectives
The primary goals of the Resilient Threads project focus on empowerment, cultural preservation, and dialogue:
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Empowerment and Representation: To provide Roma youth with a strong public platform to share their experiences and celebrate their resilience and diversity.
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Preservation of Cultural Heritage: To document the rich oral traditions and stories of the Roma community in a structured, lasting format.
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Promotion of Understanding: To cultivate empathy and mutual appreciation between Roma and non Roma communities, thus helping to combat stereotypes and cultural invisibility.
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Educational Enrichment: To enhance the skills of youth artists in public speaking, creative writing, and storytelling.
Key Activities and Deliverables
The project plan is built around structured learning, public performance, and digital outreach:
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Handbook: We are developing a comprehensive six module methodological curriculum on storytelling, public speaking, and creative writing. This Handbook will serve as the foundation for the training activities.
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Bootcamp in Sweden: A specialized 2-day Bootcamp will be hosted in Stockholm, Sweden, between January and February 2026. This intensive session will bring together 20 youth artists (10 Roma from various EU countries and 10 non-Roma, primarily from Sweden) to practice their skills and build networks for future collaborations.
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Storytelling Nights: We will organize four public storytelling nights titled "Voices of Diversity" across Europe, hosted in PAL Network countries. These events will feature artists presenting personal or ancestral Roma stories that focus on positive cultural aspects like resilience, creativity, and empathy.
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Digital booklet: We will ensure the long term accessibility and preservation of Roma voices by creating an interactive digital booklet containing selected stories.
Partners
FUNDED BY:
The Resilient Threads project is implemented through a transnational partnership, combining expertise in creative industries and social inclusion:
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SMartSe AB (Sweden): The Applicant and Coordinator, leading project management, the Bootcamp, digital booklet design, and dissemination.
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PAL Network (Belgium): The Project Partner, leading the development of the training methodology, organizing the four Storytelling Nights, and mobilizing the Roma youth artists from across Europe.
This project is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme, supporting inclusion and diversity in the youth field.
Disclaimer:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Myndigheten för ungdoms- och civilsamhällesfrågor (MUCF). Neither the European Union or MUCF can be held responsible for them. (2023-1-SE01-KA220-VET-000155330)
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