The fresh Munich safety Conference has highlighted urgent questions regarding Ukraine’s future. A US proposal seeking access to Ukraine’s uncommon earth minerals as repayment for military aid has drawn criticism from president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, European leaders are debating fresh safety guarantees and the anticipation of a European army. At the same time, peace negotiations appear to be advancing without direct European – or Ukrainian – participation.
Yet, the future of Ukraine depends not only on military strategies or diplomacy but besides on economical resilience. As Zelenskyy stated in Ukraine’s interior Resilience Plan: “A strong economy is the key to sustainable growth, national defense, and retaining human capital.” For this to happen, number communities like the Roma must be recognized as central to Ukraine’s future.
Ukraine’s workforce shortage has a solution if leaders act
One of the biggest challenges Ukraine’s economy faces is uncovering the workforce to sustain growth, innovation and productivity. Businesses from construction and manufacturing to services and healthcare are struggling to find skilled workers. At the same time, young Roma (more than one-third of Roma in Ukraine are under 15) represent untapped possible – people eager to work, contribute and build a future. Yet many face barriers to entering the workforce. These include a deficiency of education, limited access to professional networks, and outdated perceptions about their work ethic.
Ukraine cannot afford this economical mismatch. Yet, even before the war, Roma communities faced systemic barriers to education and employment. Children were frequently excluded from learning due to a deficiency of basic resources like transportation, food and clothing. Now, as Ukraine receives crucial global aid, these inequalities hazard becoming further entrenched unless targeted measures are taken.
Roma are ready to work. Will Ukraine let them?
The precedence should be equipping young Roma with skills that Ukraine’s businesses need. That means expanding apprenticeships, investing in vocational training, and ensuring employers can connect with emerging Roma talent. EU partners have pledged 700 million US dollars to retrain 180,000 Ukrainians over 3 years. However, these programmes frequently do not scope Roma due to eligibility requirements and a deficiency of targeted outreach. Recruitment processes must be streamlined. This will aid reduce bureaucracy and guarantee that erstwhile individual is ready to work there are no artificial barriers blocking them from reskilling and contributing to society.
Stereotypes besides stay a major obstacle. any employers hesitate to hire Roma due to outdated narratives. That was the case with Ilyana – 1 of the Roma surveyed in our study – who fled Toretsk and applied for a occupation in the Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad. “I filled out the questionnaire and had a large telephone interview. But erstwhile we met, the owner saw me and immediately said, “I will call you back.” I never got the job.” The fact is, Roma workers, erstwhile given the right tools and opportunities, are just as capable, hardworking and ambitious as anyone else.
Acknowledgment is not adequate – time to invest
The real hazard is not in giving people a chance. Instead, it is in failing to get into Ukraine’s full workforce potential. Roma have already shown their commitment. According to our Fighting for a Fairer Future report, 1 4th of surveyed Roma families have members serving in Ukraine’s military, with 1 3rd of them volunteering for service. Their experience demonstrates their dedication to their homeland and should shift perceptions about their community.
Despite this, Roma stay one of the least accepted groups in Ukraine. However, social tolerance is expanding in frontline regions like Kherson and Mykolaiv, showing that attitudes can change. designation must be accompanied by concrete policies ensuring Roma are included in Ukraine’s economical and social recovery. For besides long, discussions about Roma in Ukraine have been framed as a substance of integration alternatively than designation of their function in the country’s future. This must change.
The real test of Ukraine’s future
As European leaders discuss Ukraine’s next steps, the focus should not only be on safety guarantees and economical deals. The real test will be whether Ukraine’s reconstruction is built on equity and chance for all its citizens. Investing in Roma communities is not just an ethical obligation. Indeed, it is simply a strategical imperative for Ukraine’s stableness and prosperity in the years to come.
Neda Korunovska is the vice president for analytics and results at the Roma Foundation for Europe.
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