The path to further education is not always straightforward, and not every young person starts out with the same opportunities. In Győrtelek, a village in Hungary’s Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, 19 Roma girls are receiving personalised support to improve their academic performance, gain confidence in planning their futures and pursue opportunities beyond the classroom.
The journey towards a school-leaving qualification is made up of countless small steps rather than one big decision. A good grade on a test, an encouraging conversation, helpful guidance or simply having the right conditions to study can all make a difference. Supported by the Széchenyi Plan Plus, the two-year programme goes beyond academic support, helping participants build self-confidence, develop healthy habits and prepare for further education.
In September 2026, the Czinka Panna Roma Cultural Association launched the project in Győrtelek with approximately HUF 47 million in non-repayable EU funding under the HRDOP Plus programme. The initiative aims to improve educational outcomes, encourage further study and strengthen future employment prospects for Roma girls aged 10 to 17 whose families receive regular child protection benefits.
Throughout the programme, each participant receives individual mentoring and takes part in regular group sessions. These cover a range of important topics, including personal safety and preventing victimisation, safe internet use, healthy living and preventing early pregnancy. Family members are also involved through joint sessions exploring family roles and how best to support the girls as they grow and make decisions about their futures.
Practical support is another key element of the programme. Participants learn effective study techniques, receive career guidance and have opportunities to visit schools and businesses to explore different educational and career paths. Camps, excursions, health screenings and performance-based scholarships also help keep the girls motivated and engaged.
Further education remains at the heart of the initiative. One of its main goals is to achieve measurable improvements in the girls’ academic performance and ensure that at least four participants either gain admission to a secondary school offering a school-leaving qualification or successfully pass their final school-leaving examinations.
And the support does not necessarily end when the project concludes in August 2028. The association plans to continue monitoring the girls’ educational progress and provide further mentoring where needed. After all, real success is about more than making it through another school year. It is about discovering your own abilities, gaining confidence in what you can achieve and recognising that new opportunities are always within reach.
