12 August, International Youth Day [editar]
In recent years, Fundación Secretariado Gitano has promoted numerous initiatives to strengthen the participation of Roma youth.
International Youth Day is celebrated every 12 August, a date established by the United Nations to recognise the fundamental role of young people as key agents of change. At Fundación Secretariado Gitano, we want to shine a spotlight on the hundreds of young Roma who, from different parts of Spain, are getting involved, organising themselves, making their voices heard and helping to transform the reality of their communities. These are young people who do not wait for things to change, but who decide to get involved to bring about change themselves.
Participation is a tool for personal and collective transformation that enables young people to exercise their rights, take an active role in society and contribute to building a fairer and more inclusive future. That is why, at FSG, we are working to ensure that more and more young Roma find spaces where they can develop their leadership skills, strengthen their voice and drive real change in their communities.
One of the cornerstones of this work is the FSG Network of Facilitators, currently comprising 60 young Roma from different places across Spain. This is a group of young people committed to participation and, above all, who act as agents of change in their communities. Their work has a significant multiplier effect: not only do they participate directly in civic and representative forums, but they also organise activities, inspire other young people and create new opportunities for participation in the communities where they live.
The impact of this Network extends far beyond its current members. Over the years, more than a hundred young Roma from across Spain have been part of it, becoming role models in their local areas and passing on what they have learnt to their communities, associations, educational institutions and participatory forums. Many remain involved today in the voluntary sector, with social organisations or by actively participating in representative bodies, demonstrating that investing in youth leadership generates a lasting impact.
In recent years, Fundación Secretariado Gitano has continued to promote numerous initiatives to strengthen the participation of Roma youth. Through activities carried out across different regions of Spain, spaces for meeting, dialogue and reflection have been created on key issues such as the European elections, the fight against discrimination and contributions to participatory and consultative processes linked to the political agenda, ensuring that the voice of young Roma is heard in decisions affecting their present and their future.
Thanks to this work, more than 8 000 Roma people across Spain have been directly reached, promoting active citizenship based on participation, rights and commitment. This approach enables an increasing number of young Roma to express their ideas, propose solutions and become key drivers of the change they wish to see in their communities and in society.
This commitment is also reflected in the increasingly active presence of young Roma in forums for political and institutional participation and advocacy, such as the Standing Committee of the Spanish Youth Council, INJUVE, and dialogue meetings with key stakeholders in the Congress of Deputies, the European Parliament and other institutions. In these forums, they share their experiences, put forward their proposals and help ensure that public policies take account of the realities and needs of young Roma.
From participatory bodies at national and European level to consultation processes initiated by public authorities, young Roma are taking their rightful place in decision-making. Fundación Secretariado Gitano supports them on this journey so that their voices are heard, recognised and able to drive changes that build a more diverse and inclusive society.
On this International Youth Day 2026, we wish to recognise the commitment of all young Roma who participate, lead, inspire and pave the way for those who follow. Because when a young person gets involved, they not only transform their own reality, but also drive positive change and help build a more democratic, diverse and equal society.
