Meetings

The THRIVE Project Kick-Off Meeting brought together representatives of European Multicultural Association, Association of Roma AVENA Kočani, and Branicevo District Roma Association in Kočani, North Macedonia. The meeting marked the formal beginning of the partnership and established a common understanding of the project’s purpose, target groups, planned activities, and expected results.

The partners reviewed the project objectives and discussed how THRIVE would support Roma and Roma-origin youth through employability development, digital skills, confidence building, youth-worker training, and stronger community support. Particular attention was given to ensuring that activities would respond to local needs while following one consistent approach across Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

During the meeting, the organisations clarified their responsibilities and agreed on the main implementation timeline. The discussion covered the research phase and development of the Employability Toolkit, the international training for youth workers, youth employability and digital-skills workshops, stakeholder engagement, dissemination activities, and the responsibilities connected to project coordination and reporting.

The partnership also established practical communication and management arrangements. Monthly online meetings, shared digital workspaces, progress reporting, transparent financial documentation, and rapid communication channels were agreed as the basis for monitoring activities, sharing materials, addressing challenges, and keeping all partners informed throughout the project.

The meeting concluded with agreement on the immediate tasks, deadlines, documentation requirements, and next steps for the research and toolkit-development phase. By creating a clear working framework from the beginning, the partners laid the foundation for coordinated implementation and effective cooperation during the twelve-month project period.

The second THRIVE Transnational Partner Meeting brought together representatives of the three partner organisations in Serbia to review implementation progress and coordinate the final phase of the project. The meeting provided an opportunity to assess the work completed since the Kick-Off Meeting and to ensure that the remaining activities continued to reflect the project’s objectives.

Partners reviewed the development and use of the Employability Toolkit, the Youth Workers Training and Capacity Building event in Bulgaria, and the employability and digital-skills workshops delivered for Roma and Roma-origin youth in the partner countries. They also exchanged observations from local implementation and discussed participant feedback, practical challenges, and lessons that could strengthen future activities.

The meeting included a review of the stakeholder workshops for employment and inclusion. Partners compared the perspectives gathered from local organisations, institutions, employers, and community representatives and discussed how cooperation among these stakeholders could improve access to employment guidance, digital support, mentoring, and inclusive opportunities for Roma youth.

Administrative and coordination matters were also addressed, including project documentation, progress monitoring, financial records, communication activities, evaluation materials, and the responsibilities connected to final reporting. The partners reviewed outstanding tasks and agreed on the deadlines and practical arrangements needed to complete the project successfully.

The meeting concluded with joint planning for the National Dissemination Events, continued access to project resources, and the sustainability of the partnership’s work beyond the funded project period. The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to sharing the project’s results, supporting their continued use, and exploring future cooperation focused on Roma inclusion, employability, digital participation, and youth empowerment.