REDI Summit 2024: Roma Inclusivity in Green & Digital - Innovation and Environmental Equity

REDI Summit is an annual advocacy event, acting as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders, including government officials, experts, policymakers, business leaders, civil society representatives, and students, with the overarching goal of fostering economic development and social inclusion in the Western Balkans region.

This year, as a third edition, the REDI Summit emerges with renewed focus and determination against the backdrop of the ongoing global changes and challenges for which we explore innovative pathways toward economic empowerment and inclusion of Roma in Green and Digital infrastructure.

Main objective: We aim to explore innovative strategies, policies, and partnerships that empower the region to harness digitalisation for job creation, embrace sustainable practices through green and solar energy initiatives, and ensure equitable access to financial resources and opportunities, ultimately driving inclusive growth and socioeconomic empowerment in marginalised communities.

This year’s summit is themed “Roma Inclusivity in Green & Digital - Innovation and Environmental Equity,” reflecting our commitment to fostering innovation, promoting environmental equity, and creating pathways for Roma communities in the Western Balkans, with three main sessions for discussion:

• Access to Finance for Roma Communities - “Unlocking Opportunities: Introducing Innovative Financing for Roma Entrepreneurs”:  In this session, we tackle the critical issue of financial inclusion of Roma communities. Our objective is to identify effective financing models and promote REDI Fund as a successful model, ensuring equitable access to financial resources for Roma entrepreneurs, as well as shed light on the transformative potential of impact investment, microfinance, community-based funds, and public-private partnerships in addressing the unique financial challenges faced by Roma communities in the WB. Together, we will explore success stories, share best practices, and formulate actionable policy recommendations, forging a path toward a more financially inclusive and prosperous future for marginalised communities.
• Empowering Tomorrow: In the session titled “Empowering Tomorrow: Promoting Inclusive Growth, New Jobs, and Digital Horizon- Western Balkans EU Accession Expedition for Marginalised Communities,” we delve into the new growth plan for the Western Balkans, with a particular focus on their strategies and initiatives for Roma communities. Our goal is to equip attendees with insights and strategies to navigate the digital horizon, promote inclusive growth, and prepare Roma communities for the jobs of the future. In this panel, we will explore potential investments, measures, and programs aimed at bridging the skills gap, fostering employment, and preparing Roma communities for the future job market, particularly in digitalisation.
• Bridging Gaps for Roma in Sustainable Green Energy Transition: In this session, we  explore strategies for bridging the gaps and fostering sustainable energy transition in the Roma communities.

Our objective is to inspire and initiate meaningful discussions on the role of green initiatives in promoting environmental equity and economic growth, particularly for Roma communities.