Education / Workshops and Training

Curriculum

I.

European Union – Roma Heroes in Theatre and Everyday Life – Training and Education for Roma Youth

Partners

  • Ternipe – združenie pre rómsku mládež na Slovensku a v Maďarsku (Slovakia)
  • Independent Theater Hungary
  • Association of Hungarian Teachers in Romania (Romania)

About the Workshop

The aim of the initiative is to provide space for people and stories that are often marginalized, through workshops and publications. In the program, Roma and non-Roma young people were not only target groups but also active participants: they became peer trainers, held workshops, and presented the people they considered heroes in their own publications.
As a result of the project, several Hungarian-speaking trainers were trained in Hungary and Slovakia, and two publications were created to provide inspiring examples for those interested.

Below you can find the publications, case studies, and methodologies produced during the project.

Downloadable Materials

"Among Us" Roma Heroes Publication 2024
Among us
2. Methodologies
Methodology I. (Independent Theatre)
Methodology II. (TERNIPE)

2. Case Studies
Case Study I. (Independent Theatre)
Case Study II. (TERNIPE)

II.

Roma Heroes Workshop

Duration: 2×90 or 2×120 minute

Target Group: Ages 14+

About the Workshop

Our Roma Heroes workshop helps participants explore, discuss, and understand the diversity, challenges, and values of Roma dramas, dramatic heroes, and communities. It also encourages them to discover the hero within themselves and their own environment, and to creatively present their own stories to each other.

Goals of the Workshop

The focus in hero stories is on difficulties, decisions, and their consequences. Through the workshop, participants get to know themselves and their peers better, while developing debating, communication, and cooperation skills, and becoming more open to different perspectives. Roma participants strengthen their identity, while non-Roma participants’ prejudices towards Roma people decrease.

How Does It Work?

In the first part, participants analyze dramatic heroes and the general concept of heroes. The dramas offer insight into the lives, challenges, and social situations of different European Roma communities, while also raising questions and issues that are not Roma-specific. Participants watch excerpts from performances based on the dramas, then continue working in groups through guided focus scenes. This concludes with the oral presentation of their version of the play and a moderated plenary discussion. At this stage, they share personal opinions, dilemmas, and reflections on both societal and personal issues.
In the second part, the young participants share their own personal hero stories, discuss the qualities of a hero, and reflect on the importance of value-based decision-making and responsibility in their lives and communities. Finally, they create a joint artistic piece based on any of the stories and present it to each other. The workshops are led by experienced, trained pairs of Roma and non-Roma young trainers.

In the second part, the young participants share their personal hero stories with one another, discuss the qualities of a hero, and reflect on the importance of value-based decision-making and responsibility in their own lives and communities. Finally, they create a collective piece inspired by any of the stories they have encountered and present it to each other. The workshops are led by experienced, trained pairs of young Roma and non-Roma trainers.

Video

III.

Drama Pedagogy Workshop for Inclusion

Duration: 225 minutes (with one break)

Target Group: Teachers

About the Workshop

In Reformed schools, few Roma students are enrolled, while low educational attainment hinders the integration of Roma communities.
The goal of the Reformed Church is to ensure that Roma youth also have access to quality education in its schools, supporting their social integration.

Goals of the Workshop

Real change requires that teachers confront their own biases and take on a supportive role. During the workshop, teachers receive practical tools for handling interethnic conflicts and promoting integration. At the end of the program, they define concrete, achievable goals that help build inclusive school communities step by step.

How Does It Work?

Workshops are always preceded by a needs and characteristics assessment, so the professional plan can be tailored to the group. This includes interviews and anonymous questionnaires with questions such as the presence of Roma students, experiences, motivations, and community relations.

Workshop Structure:

  1. Introduction – Presenting aims and framework (0–10 min)
  2. Introductions – Sharing experiences about a memorable teacher (10–30 min)
  3. Opinion Line – Debating statements about Roma integration (30–60 min)
  4. Motivations – Benefits of Roma integration on social and school levels (60–80 min)
  5. Problem Collection – Identifying challenges (80–100 min)
  6. Solutions – Dramatizing problematic situations and sharing good practices (100–155 min)
  7. Goal Setting – Defining goals and action plans (155–200 min)
  8. Feedback – Participants’ reflections and personal commitments (200–215 min)
  9. Anonymous Evaluation (215–225 min)

At the end of the workshop, the facilitator prepares an evaluation with the group and follows up on their commitments.

IV.

Community Theatre

Duration: 6 days

Target Group: Youth aged 8–16

About the Workshop

The aim of the workshop is to empower and support disadvantaged children and young people, with particular attention to strengthening their communication, cooperation, and creative skills. Participants create stories based on their own experiences, which they present with sets, costumes, and props. The community theatre creation increases self-confidence and self-awareness while encouraging participants to think about their future goals in a broader perspective.

Goals of the Workshop

The project’s aim is to empower and develop disadvantaged communities, especially children and youth. It is important that participants discover their strengths and experience success while developing communication, cooperation, creativity, and other skills. Community theatre creation fosters these abilities and enhances self-confidence and self-awareness.
We aim for young people to broaden their perspectives on future goals and opportunities through the program.

How Does It Work?

In cooperative workshop sessions, groups of 8–12 participants create stories based on their own experiences, which they present with self-designed sets, costumes, and props. Rehearsals and performances take place outdoors, or indoors at the Independent Theatre in case of bad weather.

Methodology

Community Theatre

V.

We Are ’56

Target Group: Ages 14+

About the Workshop

An alternative commemoration of the 1956 revolution in the form of public-space, interactive, action theatre performances combined with follow-up workshops, designed for upper primary and secondary school students and their teachers.

Goals of the Workshop

The workshop aims to provide information about the 1956 revolution, the role of Roma people, and the individuals who inspired the performance. It gives participants the opportunity to share their thoughts, emotions, and questions about the play, while also highlighting the moral dilemmas of revolutions and armed conflicts. By emphasizing Roma-Hungarian dual identity, it encourages inclusion, underlines similarities and shared struggles, and serves as a stimulus for thinking about civic engagement. It also provides the experience of collective, creative work.

How Does It Work?

The workshop can follow two scenarios. If possible, participants attend the We Are ’56 action theatre performance live in a public space, followed by the processing workshop. If this is not possible, the performance is screened at the workshop venue, followed by joint reflection and activities.

Related Case Study:

We Are ’56 Workshop

VI.

Women Ready for Action

Target Group: Young and adult women

Duration: 3×90 minutes

About the Workshop

This program series offers an enjoyable experience while activating participants and developing their cooperation, communication, and creative skills. The main target group is rural women, primarily Roma.

Goals of the Workshop

Our aim is to strengthen the participants’ community through group discussions of their own challenges, values, and goals. The program leads to concrete actions carried out with or for the community.

As a result, participants get to know each other better and recognize the potential within their community. By defining individual and collective goals, they shape their own destiny and that of their wider community as active agents.

How Does It Work?

The program consists of three sessions held at different times. In the first, participants attend a theatre performance focusing on Roma women, followed by a discussion with the creators, exploring various role models. In the second, they take part in the Roma Heroes workshop. Finally, in the third session, they are invited to co-design a concrete action plan together.