Roma helped defend Ukraine – now they must help rebuild it 

Roma soldier Viktor Ilchak from Uzhhorod, Ukraine, with his family.

The recent Munich Security Conference has highlighted urgent questions regarding Ukraine’s future. A US proposal seeking access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as repayment for military aid has drawn criticism from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, European leaders are debating new security guarantees and the possibility 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 also on economic resilience. As Zelenskyy stated in Ukraine’s Internal Resilience Plan: “A strong economy is the key to sustainable growth, national defense, and retaining human capital.” For this to happen, minority 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 finding 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 potential – people eager to work, contribute and build a future. Yet many face barriers to entering the workforce. These include a lack of education, limited access to professional networks, and outdated perceptions about their work ethic. 

Ukraine cannot afford this economic mismatch. Yet, even before the war, Roma communities faced systemic barriers to education and employment. Children were often excluded from learning due to a lack of basic resources like transportation, food and clothing. Now, as Ukraine receives substantial international aid, these inequalities risk becoming further entrenched unless targeted measures are taken. 

Roma are ready to work. Will Ukraine let them? 

The priority 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 three years. However, these programmes often do not reach Roma due to eligibility requirements and a lack of targeted outreach. Recruitment processes must be streamlined. This will help reduce bureaucracy and ensure that when someone is ready to work there are no artificial barriers blocking them from reskilling and contributing to society. 

Stereotypes also remain a major obstacle. Some employers hesitate to hire Roma because of outdated narratives. That was the case with Ilyana – one of the Roma surveyed in our report – who fled Toretsk and applied for a job in the Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad. “I filled out the questionnaire and had a great phone interview. But when we met, the owner saw me and immediately said, “I will call you back.” I never got the job.” The truth is, Roma workers, when given the right tools and opportunities, are just as capable, hardworking and ambitious as anyone else. 

Acknowledgment is not enough – time to invest 

The real risk is not in giving people a chance. Instead, it is in failing to tap into Ukraine’s full workforce potential. Roma have already shown their commitment. According to our Fighting for a Fairer Future report, one quarter of surveyed Roma families have members serving in Ukraine’s military, with one third of them volunteering for service. Their experience demonstrates their dedication to their homeland and should shift perceptions about their community. 

Despite this, Roma remain one of the least accepted groups in Ukraine. However, social tolerance is increasing in frontline regions like Kherson and Mykolaiv, showing that attitudes can change. Recognition must be accompanied by concrete policies ensuring Roma are included in Ukraine’s economic and social recovery. For too long, discussions about Roma in Ukraine have been framed as a matter of integration rather than recognition of their role 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 security guarantees and economic deals. The real test will be whether Ukraine’s reconstruction is built on equity and opportunity for all its citizens. Investing in Roma communities is not just an ethical obligation. Indeed, it is a strategic imperative for Ukraine’s stability and prosperity in the years to come. 

Neda Korunovska is the vice president for analytics and results at the Roma Foundation for Europe.

Please support New Eastern Europe's crowdfunding campaign. Donate by clicking on the button below.

reconstruction, Roma, Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine