Romano Centro

Romano Centro is a Romani association based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 1991 as one of the first Roma associations in the country. It operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to the empowerment, education, and cultural visibility of Roma and Romnja (Romani women) in Austria. The association organizes events and workshops, provides learning assistance for schoolchildren, and publishes a magazine twice a year. Its activities span information and awareness-raising events, educational and cultural programming, and advocacy related to the European and national strategies for Roma social inclusion. The organization is known for its long-standing commitment to the Roma community, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022. It also engages in research projects such as SENSIRO, which evaluates Austria's national Roma inclusion strategy. Romano Centro relies on donations and public support, with a bank account at Bank Austria for contributions. Its magazine, now in its 103rd issue as of September 2026, covers topics such as Roma memorials, Roma military service in both World Wars, school mediation, and community profiles. The association is a registered association (Verein) under Austrian law and remains active in Vienna.

Romano Centro was founded in 1991 as one of the first Roma associations in Austria. Based in Vienna, it emerged as a grassroots initiative to support the Roma community, particularly in the areas of education, culture, and social inclusion. In its early years, the association focused on providing learning assistance to Roma children and organizing cultural events to foster community cohesion and visibility. Over the decades, Romano Centro expanded its activities to include information and awareness-raising events, workshops, and advocacy work. It became involved in evaluating Austria's national strategy for Roma social inclusion, participating in projects such as SENSIRO, a research project conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Sociology at the University of Vienna. The association also began publishing a magazine twice a year, which has become a key communication channel for the community, featuring articles in both German and Romani. By 2022, Romano Centro celebrated its 30th anniversary with a belated jubilee event held on May 20, 2022, at the Romano Centro and Ilija Jovanovic Park in Vienna. The organization continues to seek learning helpers and relies on donations to sustain its educational and cultural programs. As of September 2026, its magazine reached its 103rd issue, covering topics such as Roma memorials in Vienna, Roma military service in both World Wars, school mediation, and profiles of community members and organizations.

• 2026

  Magazine reaches 103rd issue in September 2026.

• 2025

  Annual report for 2025 published; call for learning helpers starting October 2025.

• 2022

  30th anniversary celebrated on May 20, 2022, at Romano Centro and Ilija Jovanovic Park in Vienna.

• 2011

  Austria adopts national strategy for Roma social inclusion; Romano Centro later participates in its evaluation via SENSIRO.

• 1991

  Romano Centro founded as one of the first Roma associations in Austria.

A community-based non-profit association advocating for Roma inclusion, education, and cultural heritage in Austria.

• Lernhilfe (learning assistance)

  One-on-one tutoring for Roma children aged 6 to 18 in Vienna, covering main school subjects and advising parents on school matters.

• Romano Centro magazine

  Published twice a year, featuring articles in German and Romani on Roma history, culture, and community issues.

• Events and workshops

  Information, educational, and cultural events organized by staff or attended as speakers.

• SENSIRO research project

  Independent evaluation of Austria's national strategy for Roma social inclusion, conducted with the University of Vienna.

1. 1Startromano-centro.org
2. 2Veranstaltungenromano-centro.org
3. 3Romano Centrowikidata.org