The Roma Education Fund (REF) is an international foundation established in 2005 and dedicated to closing the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma. With an active and growing network of representative offices across Central, Eastern, South-Eastern Europe and Turkey, REF provides grants and scholarships to entities and individuals who share its belief in quality, inclusive education and desegregated schools and classrooms. 

Underpinned with organizational values of tenacity, justice and accountability, the Roma Education Fund seeks to increase the number of educated Roma children, youth and parents aimed to become active voices of change. In parallel, the program supports result-oriented actions, provides evidence for the effectiveness and efficiency of REF models. After more than ten years of assessing and meeting the needs of the Roma community through grant management, monitoring and evaluation, the Grant Program has designed five core models. 

  

1. Expanding Access to Preschool Education 
2. Ensuring Full Roma Participation in Basic Education 
3. Expanding Access to Secondary Education 
4. Expanding access to Higher Education 
5. Assuring Desegregation and Integration of Roma in Education 

   

Several stakeholders including the European Commission, World Bank, and national governments have acknowledged that REF has made a valuable contribution in bettering the educational outcomes of Roma children. In several countries, REF has well-established partnerships with governments, local municipalities, and civil society organizations.