Background: According to EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency (2018), Finland is among the most racist countries in the EU. The Special Eurobarometer (2023) specifies that it is exactly the Roma who are the group facing the most discrimination in Finland by origin. For example, the most significant factor putting a job seeker in a significantly weaker position than the other applicants is a Roma background. However, racism in general and anti-gypsyism, a specific form of racism, in particular is not properly recognised in Finland, not even among those who encounter it in their day-to-day life. Multiple socio-historical factors have resulted in the present situation where many Roma do not recognise racism or want to take it up as a key challenge. Being silent or humorous about experiences of racism is used as a general coping mechanism.

The Amengo Saaka project  raised awareness on how antigypsyism is perceived and addressed among Roma communities in Finland. Objectives included learning from ERGO Network practices, collecting qualitative data through interviews with Roma activists, anti-racism experts, and academics, and disseminating findings. 

Learning: Along with the meeting, the Finnish Roma Association employees learned on the ERGOs’ activities and practices on antigypsyism. They also familiarised themselves with the ERGO Network Guidalines on Countering Antigypsyism. 

Collecting and analysing data from Roma by Roma: In this project, data was gathered from the Roma community by their Roma peers, using the focus group interview method. Altogether, 17 participants took part in the focus group interviews. Eventually, two separate focus groups interviews were held, among which the first was participated by 13 Finnish Roma in Finnish language, and the second by four migrant Roma in Romanian language. Among all respondents, 14 were female and three were men. Eleven participants were young (18-30 years old) and six were adults (over 30 years old). All respondents lived in the Helsinki Metropolitan region. The primary data was analysed and complemented by the secondary data (eg data collected by government agencies) analysis. By repurposing this existing information, it was possible to gain a deeper understanding of the topic and uncover findings that were not initially apparent. Finally, a report was written and published (see the link below). 

Results: All respondents had experiences on discrimination, which once again underlines the earlier statement of Finland being one of the most racist countries in the EU despite its reputation as a country of equality. The respondents were identified as Roma primarily through their external appearance. Unlike Finnish Roma, Roma migrants reported being discriminated against because they were labelled through their appearances and presence in public spaces as homeless street people as Roma, and as foreigners.

In this study the most often mentioned discriminatory environments were the schools, stores, and workplaces, which however does not mean the physical places as such, but all the people who make the places. Schools came up, because most of the respondents were young (18-30 years old). The most often mentioned persons in the context of racism were the private security guards whose treatment of Roma in public spaces significantly affects Roma’s ability to participate in society and move freely. It impacts their well-being, sense of security, and mental health, and the feeling of inequality, fear and lack of trust are transmitted to Roma children. These incidents also influence how Roma are perceived by others present in public spaces.

All respondents agreed that they felt safe at home with their own family, or with the Roma community, to the extent that they may avoid going out of their communities due to discrimination and a lack of trust in the society. Roma migrants who live harsh lives in the streets however highlighted the numerous ordinary Finns who intervene when they notice inappropriate treatment. Sometimes strangers also buy them food and coffee. This is a significant perspective, as the history of the Roma is full of benevolent interactions between the majority population and the minority.

In public places, Finnish Roma feel safe only when they move around with a group of Roma. Their experiences in unsafe places did not actually differ from common fears of any citizen, as they felt unsafe in public places when it is dark and they are alone, but also if there were a lot of people, loud and drunk. The experience of fear was gendered, and women used self-protective strategies or employed avoidance. The Roma migrants highlighted the overall danger of living and working on the streets, which illustrates the fragility of their life.  

The changes in discrimination over time were related to the widespread use of social media (since the 2010s) and the atmosphere of discussion in society, which has become mean, divisive and provocative (since 2011). At the same time, the internal cohesion of the Roma community has become more fragile. All respondents had experienced discrimination by another Roma inside the Roma community. This is something that significantly limits the participation of the young Roma in general, but any non-traditional or disadvantaged Roma in particular. 

When comparing the status of the Roma in Finland with that of the Roma in other European countries, it is clear that the Finnish Roma enjoy more social and economic rights than the Roma people in many other EU member countries. However, structural racism and antigypsyism are widespread also in Finland, and the Finnish Roma face constant inequality and discrimination in all areas of their lives. According to respondents, discrimination in Finland tends to be embedded within structures and institutions, while in other countries it is more visible and violent.

The most positive thing about the survey was that the respondents were very well aware and knew how to act when faced with racism.

Dissemination: This project was to change mentalities regarding racism, notably among the Roma themselves, as well as among stakeholders. In the long-term, better understanding of racism among all the relevant actors will generate lasting social change.

The project was funded along with the ERGO Network’s Annual Work Programme “Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2025” under the category of capacity-building, campaigning, and advocacy projects.