THE CONGRESS BELONGS TO ALL ROMA
About the Congress
The XV World Roma Congress will bring Roma representatives, organisations, activists and communities from across the world together in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 29–31 October 2026.
Â
Building on the legacy of the First World Roma Congress of 1971, Sofia 2026 is part of a continuing international Roma movement — connecting generations, communities and organisations around representation, rights, culture and a stronger Roma voice.
Â
The Congress is being prepared through international cooperation involving Roma organisations, delegates and communities across many countries.
Â
THE CONGRESS BELONGS TO ALL ROMA.
THE CONGRESS BELONGS TO ALL ROMA
XV WORLD ROMA CONGRESS
SOFIA 2026
29–31 OCTOBER 2026 | SOFIA, BULGARIA
ONE PEOPLE • ONE VOICE • A GLOBAL ROMA MOVEMENT
Roma representatives, organisations, activists and communities from across the world are coming together in Sofia to discuss issues affecting Roma internationally. This gathering is part of a longer international process focused on strengthening participation, cooperation, and representation across generations.
CONGRESS • CULTURE • GLOBAL ELECTIONS
Sofia 2026 — Three Days
Day 1 — 29 October 2026
VISIBILITY • MEMORY • REALITY
DAY 1 OBJECTIVE:
- DAY 1 OBJECTIVE:
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS
• Roma Holocaust Memorial initiative
• Public gathering in Sofia
• Peaceful Roma procession
• Flags, music and culture
• Official Congress opening
• International guests and delegates
• Roma communities present their realities
• Discrimination and rights violations
• Documented cases through the Tribunal
Day 2 — 30 October 2026
FROM PROBLEMS TO RULES
DAY 2 OBJECTIVE:
- DAY 2 OBJECTIVE:
BUILD THE RULES AND MANDATE
• Delegates work as a representative assembly
• Turn identified problems into solutions
• Define the future representative structure
• Number and role of representatives
• Length and scope of the mandate
• Powers and responsibilities
• Accountability and democratic oversight
• Transparent financing and safeguards
• Develop a common founding document
Day 3 — 31 October 2026
DECISIONS • MANDATE • ACTION
DAY 3 OBJECTIVE:
- DAY 3 OBJECTIVE:
TAKE THE DECISIONS
• Present proposals to the delegates
• Debate each proposal
• Vote point by point
• FOR • AGAINST • ABSTAIN
• Agree the representative structure
• Approve its mandate and responsibilities
• Establish accountability and control
• Define what elected representatives must deliver
• Adopt the Congress decisions
PROBLEMS → SOLUTIONS → RULES → MANDATE → DECISIONS → ACTION
GLOBAL ELECTIONS
VOTING BEGINS — 31 OCTOBER 2026
THE CONGRESS DEFINES THE MANDATE.
THE PEOPLE CHOOSE THE REPRESENTATIVES.
During the Congress, delegates identify the problems, develop the rules and mandate, and take the decisions that define what the future representatives will be expected to do.
The Global Elections then give Roma voters the opportunity to choose the people who will receive that mandate.
Voting begins on 31 October 2026 and continues through the official international voting period.
Participation will be possible through authorised voting stations and other officially approved voting methods.
After voting closes, ballots and results will be verified and counted according to the adopted election procedures, followed by publication of the official results.
The elected representatives will then be expected to act within the mandate established through the Congress process.
A CONGRESS ACROSS BORDERS
LOCAL COMMUNITIES • INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION • ONE PROCESS
The XV World Roma Congress is not limited to three days in Sofia.
Roma delegates, organisations, activists and communities from different countries are being connected through one international process — before, during and after the Congress.
Participation is being built through international delegates, local Roma organisations, voting stations, online participation and cooperation with institutions and partners.
The purpose is to connect local realities with international representation: communities identify the problems, delegates help build the common rules and mandate, and Roma voters participate in choosing the representatives who will be expected to act.
Sofia is where the Congress comes together.
The process belongs to Roma communities everywhere.
FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION
International preparation for the XV World Roma Congress — working meeting at the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), Geneva.
Key Congress Themes
REPRESENTATION & MANDATE
Building a democratic international Roma representation with a clearly defined mandate, responsibilities and accountability.
EDUCATION & YOUTH
Expanding educational opportunity and ensuring that younger Roma generations have a meaningful voice in shaping the future.
WOMEN & EQUALITY
Strengthening the participation, representation and leadership of Roma women in community and international decision-making.
HEALTH, SOCIAL & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Addressing healthcare, social exclusion, employment and economic development through practical solutions and international cooperation.
CULTURE, IDENTITY & DIGITAL FUTURE
Protecting Roma culture, language, history and identity while using media, technology and international networks to connect communities.
RIGHTS, JUSTICE & TRIBUNAL
Bringing documented cases of discrimination, persecution and rights violations before the Congress and turning evidence into proposals for action.
LONDON VOTING STATION
Hosted by Roma London
ROMA LONDON
98 Allerford Road
London
SE6 3DF
United Kingdom
Roma London is hosting the London Voting Station as part of the international election process connected with the XV World Roma Congress.
The station provides a local point where Roma communities in London can access official election information and participate in the Global Elections.
GLOBAL ELECTIONS
VOTING BEGINS
31 OCTOBER 2026
31 OCTOBER 2026
POSTAL VOTING
Roma London will provide access to official information for those wishing to participate through the postal voting process.
Official instructions, requirements and relevant dates will be published through the authorised election information channels.
OFFICIAL CONGRESS & ELECTION INFORMATION
IN PERSON • POSTAL VOTING • INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
THE CONGRESS DEFINES THE MANDATE.
THE PEOPLE CHOOSE THE REPRESENTATIVES.
CONGRESS & ELECTION MATERIALS
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS • MEET THE CANDIDATES • PARTICIPATE
The XV World Roma Congress connects the decisions made by delegates with democratic participation by Roma communities internationally. The Congress identifies the problems, develops solutions, establishes the rules and defines the mandate. The Global Elections allow Roma voters to choose the representatives who will be expected to carry that mandate forward.
XV WORLD ROMA CONGRESS — SOFIA 2026
29–31 October 2026
NDK, Hall 8
Sofia, Bulgaria
The Congress follows a clear process:
PROBLEMS → SOLUTIONS → RULES → MANDATE → DECISIONS → ACTION
Global Elections begin on 31 October 2026.
GLOBAL ELECTION — BALLOT PREVIEW
The ballot introduces the candidates participating in the World Roma Congress Global Election process. The final official ballot and candidate list will follow the confirmed election process and any officially approved updates.
GLOBAL ELECTIONS
VOTING BEGINS — 31 OCTOBER 2026
The election process connects Roma communities internationally and gives voters the opportunity to choose the people who will receive the mandate defined through the Congress process. For current candidate information, voting instructions, participating voting stations and official election updates, visitors should use the official election information.
