This project seeks to challenge systemic discrimination, violence, and invisibility faced by young Roma girls in Bosnia and Herzegovina by enabling them to reclaim their voices through participatory media production. Roma girls often face intersecting forms of marginalization related to ethnicity, gender, poverty, and limited access to education and social services. Their lived experiences are rarely represented in mainstream media, and when they are, they are often portrayed through stereotypes or without their direct participation.

Through the project Tikne Romni – Phenen! (Young Roma Girls – Speak Out!), the Association for Research and Social Innovation ADT will work with Roma girls from Sarajevo and Kakanj to create a safe and empowering environment where they can reflect on their experiences and transform them into powerful narratives. The project will establish two Roma Girls’ Media Teams composed of young participants aged 13–18 who will receive training in storytelling, digital media production, and advocacy. Guided by experienced journalists, filmmakers, and social inclusion experts, the girls will co-design and produce a 30-minute documentary film that captures their everyday realities, challenges, and aspirations.

The participatory production process is itself a core component of the project’s impact. By engaging the girls directly in the creative process—from concept development to filming and storytelling—the project strengthens their confidence, digital skills, and ability to articulate their perspectives publicly. In parallel, the media teams will run a social media campaign sharing weekly multimedia content that documents their experiences and reflections on education, discrimination, and social inclusion.

Beyond empowering the participants, the project aims to influence broader public discourse and media representation of Roma communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The completed documentary will be submitted to the national public broadcaster BHTV and promoted through social media platforms, online portals, and community events. By amplifying authentic voices and experiences, the initiative challenges harmful stereotypes, promotes positive representation of diversity, and fosters dialogue about social justice, gender equality, and inclusive education.

Through its innovative combination of participatory research, media production, and advocacy, the project contributes to building a more inclusive media landscape and strengthens the civic participation of one of the most marginalized groups in the country. It also creates a model for future initiatives that combine media literacy, youth empowerment, and social justice advocacy.