The MIRANDA – Roma Inclusion Through Vocational Education project is working to promote social inclusion through vocational education and training (VET) and improve access to education and employment opportunities for Roma learners and other people facing fewer opportunities.
Implemented by a consortium of partners from Germany, Greece, Austria, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, MIRANDA combines research, stakeholder engagement, capacity building and practical tools to address the barriers Roma learners face in vocational education.
From research and engagement to practical solutions
A central part of the project implementation has been understanding the experiences and needs of Roma learners and identifying the factors that can prevent them from accessing, participating in or completing VET.
Through questionnaires, interviews, stakeholder engagement activities and outreach work, the project has gathered insights into these challenges and translated them into practical resources. This work has resulted in the Engagement Methodology with the Roma People and the Summary Reports of Outreach Strategy for Roma Learners, which support more effective communication and engagement between VET institutions, stakeholders and Roma communities.
The project has also developed the Guide and Action Plan for VET Schools to Address the Challenges Facing Roma Learners in VET. The resource provides practical recommendations for improving outreach, adapting teaching and learning approaches, strengthening intercultural competence and creating more inclusive learning environments.
Tools to support Roma learners
MIRANDA’s implementation goes beyond identifying challenges. The project is developing practical tools that can support Roma learners throughout their educational journey.
One of the key results is the Supporting / Empowerment Services Guidebook for Roma Learners. The guidebook brings together practical support approaches for educators, VET trainers, social workers, Roma mediators, NGOs and other professionals. These include mentoring and counselling, language support, career guidance and employability skills, psychosocial support, digital literacy, leadership and social inclusion activities.
Another important result is the Intervention Mechanism Guidebook for Tackling Dropouts of Roma Learners. It provides practical strategies to help VET institutions identify learners who may be at risk of dropping out and respond with appropriate support.
The guidebook includes an Early Warning and Monitoring System (EWMS), which considers indicators such as attendance, academic performance, behaviour and socio-economic risks. This approach can help institutions recognise early signs of disengagement and develop individualised intervention and support plans.
Digital and flexible learning opportunities
MIRANDA also incorporates digital learning and e-learning opportunities into its approach to make project resources and learning more accessible and flexible.
The project’s planned learning resources include short-term “power up” courses for Roma learners, designed to support skills development and provide additional learning opportunities. The project also aims to strengthen the digital and learning capacities of its target groups through accessible educational resources.
Strengthening VET professionals
Supporting Roma learners also requires strengthening the capacity of the professionals who work with them.
For this reason, MIRANDA is developing resources for VET trainers and staff, including learning objectives, a curriculum outline and training materials focused on effective engagement with Roma learners and inclusive educational practices. The project also includes Guidebooks for VET Empowerment and a Training of Trainers component to help VET professionals apply inclusive approaches in their daily work.
A key step in this process was the Learning, Teaching and Training Activity held in Vienna from 20–24 April 2026. VET trainers and project staff from the participating countries came together to exchange good practices, participate in workshops and peer-learning activities, discuss practical case studies and strengthen their skills for creating more inclusive learning environments.
Building lasting impact
The results achieved so far demonstrate how MIRANDA is turning research and stakeholder engagement into practical resources for vocational education.
From engagement methodologies and outreach strategies to guidebooks, action plans, dropoutprevention tools, digital learning opportunities and training resources for VET professionals, the project is building a comprehensive set of tools to support Roma inclusion.
By empowering Roma learners, strengthening VET professionals and helping educational institutions respond more effectively to diverse learner needs, MIRANDA contributes to reducing educational inequalities, preventing dropout and improving pathways towards employment and social participation.
The project implementation continues to focus on one key goal: making vocational education more inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of Roma learners.
