Youth for Remembrance – Handbook on Youth-Led Remembrance of the Roma and Sinti Holocaust

ternYpe International Network and the Dikh He Na Bister Roma Genocide Remembrance Initiative is glad to present the “Youth for Remembrance – Handbook on Youth-Led Remembrance of the Roma and Sinti Holocaust”.

This handbook provides a detailed approach to youth-led remembrance efforts, with a focus on the Roma and Sinti Holocaust and its relevance in modern society. It allows young people to develop and organize innovative, community-based commemorations that remember the past while addressing ongoing concerns such as antigypsyism and shrinking democratic spaces. The handbook contains examples of grassroots initiatives, tools, and approaches that can be used to encourage high-quality, sustainable activities and amplify the voices of young people.

This resource, created by ternYpe International Roma Youth Network, emphasizes the power of remembering as a tool for empowerment, activism, and social justice.

Chapter "What is remembrance?", p. 16-17
Handbook “Youth for Remembrance”, chapter “What is remembrance?”, p. 16-17

The Roma and Sinti Holocaust is still one of the most underrepresented and forgotten chapters in World War II history. Despite the horrific persecution and suffering endured by Roma populations across Europe, recognition and remembrance of this genocide are still rare in public discourse, education, and collective memory. This erasure perpetuates the systematic antigypsyism, which continues to marginalize Roma communities to this day.

We navigate in an increasingly polarized world, characterized by shrinking democratic spaces, rising far-right extremism, growing hate speech and social disparities. Remembering the past is important and urgent — not only as a history lesson but also as a call to action to address today’s injustices.

Handbook "Youth for Remembrance", portrait of Ceija Stojka (1933-2013, Holocaust Survivor, Poet and Activist) and a quote from our Spanish partners at FAGiC, p. 24-25
Handbook “Youth for Remembrance”, portrait of Ceija Stojka (1933-2013, Holocaust Survivor, Poet and Activist) and a quote from our Spanish partners at FAGiC, p. 24-25

For us, remembrance is more than just commemorating for a day and then forgetting; it is a tool for empowerment. By challenging the dominant narrative surrounding Roma and by combating antigypsyism, we can empower young people to become agents of change. Understanding and honoring the history of the Roma and Sinti Holocaust, especially also about the resistance of victimized communities and survivors, empowers them to reclaim their voice, identity, and place in society.

This manual builds upon this vision. It aims to inspire and provide young people with new tools for designing and implementing their own remembrance and commemoration activities, thereby encouraging creativity and community-based action. By taking ownership of their history, they can connect the past to the present, fostering resilience and solidarity within their communities.

Empowering youth to take action is not only about remembering the Roma Holocaust—it is about building a future of justice, equality, and recognition. We trust that young people will find the courage in their hearts to move their communities by remembering and honoring the victims of the Roma and Sinti Holocaust.

Handbook “Youth for Remembrance”, chapter “Commemoration tools and techniques”, p. 20-21
Handbook “Youth for Remembrance”, chapter “Commemoration tools and techniques”, p. 22-23
Handbook “Youth for Remembrance”, chapter “Grassroots Remembrance Initiatives” with contributions from Phiren Amenca International Network, p. 40-41
Handbook “Youth for Remembrance”, chapter “Grassroots Remembrance Initiatives” with contributions from Sdružení mladých Romů and TENET, p. 58-59

We extend our deepest gratitude to the organizations, individuals, and young people who contributed their time, expertise, and dedication to the creation of this handbook. Their invaluable support and commitment have made this initiative possible:


Amaro Drom e.V., Germany
Association Point of View, Serbia
Federació d’Associacions Gitanes de Catalunya (FAGiC), Spain
International Youth Center Pernik, Bulgaria
Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, Ireland
Phiren Amenca International Network, Hungary
Public Institution Roma Community Centre (RCC), Lithuania
Romani Godi, Türkiye
Roma Youth Organization ‘Walk With Us – Phiren Amenca’, Montenegro
The Regional Roma Educational Youth Association ‘Rromassn’, Republic of North Macedonia
The Roma Youth Development Platform ‘TENET’, Ukraine
Sdružení mladých Romů, Czech Republic
Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Roma Culture ‘’ARCA’’, Ukraine

This project was made possible with the generous support of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and co-funded by Documentation and Cultural Center of German of Sinti and Roma and the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma.