Social Entrepreneurship for Roma appears as an ideal career option by combining an entrepreneur’s benefits and the amelioration of society and the environment.
But how Roma people are related to this?
Roma people are working as musicians and fortunetellers at local events. They usually work in low-quality conditions or even living from mendicancy, common in most European countries.
Especially young people seem quite often without higher education and follow a different career path than their parents.
Roma people and especially young people seem to repeat their parents and ancestors’ career paths. They usually leave school before completing formal education, and the majority do not go to high school or college.
As a result, the vicious cycle of unstable and non-permanent jobs leads young Roma people to marginalization and poverty.
Being characterized by interpersonal skills such as persuasion, argumentation, and a spirit of commerce, they could channel these skills into social entrepreneurship.
Most Roma people usually work as unofficial entrepreneurs, so they have accumulated the proportional experience informally. Entrepreneurship is a field of work with the benefits of independence and decision making, which is familiar and desirable for Roma since they rarely admit working as employees.
Why Social Entrepreneurship for Roma?
On the other hand, Social Entrepreneurship offers entrepreneurship benefits combined with advantages to society and vulnerable groups. It would be a great opportunity for them to venture into Social Entrepreneurship. Through it, they can contribute to society’s improvement and improve disadvantaged Roma people’s lives.
Roma could become officially employed, independent, and in a position, which allows them to benefit others. The possibilities of Social Entrepreneurship are endless, and therefore they can choose something close to their interests and needs. It is a fact that Entrepreneurship requires commitment, devotion, and flexibility. On the other hand, Social Entrepreneurship requires consideration of society’s needs, willingness to support vulnerable groups, and to offer.
Through training, financial and practical support, and coaching, Roma people will be able to undertake the responsibility of a Social Enterprise, to implement their idea and make it sustainable. The government’s responsibility is to decide how Roma people will be placed: either marginalized and unable to retain a standard of living, independent, productive, and included.
