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New tools for teachers and community-building events proved vital in transforming segregated, disadvantaged schools into inclusive learning spaces where all pupils can benefit and thrive.
Against a backdrop of rising and deepening inequalities in Europe, there is a crisis in the democratic system and disintegration of communities. This is particularly the case in post-socialist countries in central and eastern Europe where there is a resurgence of nationalism and neoconservative dogma. Schools play a significant role in tackling social inequality. However, the traditional school format of the 20th century is struggling to meet the challenges of the new millennium with the result that these inequalities are becoming entrenched in society.
Methods of measuring integration in schools
The EU-funded Inclusion4Schools project took action to support segregated schools in underprivileged regions, helping them reconnect with the community and the immediate social environment. “Our project undertook a literature review and analysis of national and local educational policies relevant to school segregation, particularly those affecting Roma and disadvantaged communities,” says Béla Kardon, project coordinator. Structured questionnaires were sent to over a thousand schools. “This revealed not only where segregation occurred, but how it was experienced and reproduced through systemic and institutional dynamics,” Kardon points out. Fieldwork was then carried out in over 40 schools across Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia. Schools were selected based on various indicators of social disadvantage and potential segregation, using local knowledge and existing data. Interviews, focus groups and school visits were used to gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of segregation and inclusion at the school level. A ‘school dialogue’ method involving staff, students and parents was used to gauge how segregation manifested in everyday school life and how schools perceive and tackle the issues. Significantly, Roma mediators and local facilitators ensured the process was culturally sensitive and trusted within communities. Tailored interventions and action plans were based on this to foster more inclusive environments.
Action in the classroom
Teachers play a pivotal role in challenging segregation but need systemic support. Inclusion4Schools promoted inclusive education through training, peer-learning and collaborative activities with parents, social workers and local stakeholders. “We developed ‘open school’ classes and community-building events to reconnect schools with their social environments,” Kardon explains. Teachers were encouraged to reflect on their own assumptions, adapt culturally responsive methods and build trust with students from disadvantaged backgrounds. “By supporting teachers as facilitators of inclusion – rather than isolated implementers – we helped create learning spaces where diversity is valued, and all students can thrive,” he adds.
Next steps and globalisation
The project developed an integrated knowledge-sharing platform, open-access tools and a handbook now used across the participating countries. Moreover, the project has generated or directly inspired several new initiatives, including the RomaRise project. “Our online platforms remain active, our tools are in use by schools and NGOs, and we continue to advise policymakers,” Kardon says. The project laid the foundations for a Europe-wide – and potentially global – community of practice focused on reversing school segregation through community empowerment.
Changing perceptions
“One of our proudest achievements was transforming schools often written off by the system as isolated and underfunded,” reveals the coordinator. The project’s approach helped change perceptions. These schools are no longer seen solely as places of failure but as key partners in driving social inclusion, Kardon concludes: “This narrative shift, combined with practical tools and collaborative models, is perhaps our most lasting contribution to European efforts to reverse inequality.”
Published by: K.F.
10.06.2025
Published by: K.F.
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Published by: K.F.
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Inclusion4Schools