Research Information System
The Fourteenth International Congress of Educational Research , Çanakkale, Turkey, 27 - 30 October 2021, pp.107
The purpose of this participatory action research study was to improve the educational experiences of
the Roma children through fostering collaboration between Roma community, Tasavvuf Society of
Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMU) and various local NGOs including Turkish Educational
Research Association in Canakkale. The literature indicates that the local stakeholders (universities,
municipalities, public schools and NGOs) are commonly engaged in a sustainable local development
of Roma communities in Europe and Turkey, nevertheless their activities are not sufficiently linked.
This research study developed a community-based strategic approach led to substantial improvement
of educational experiences of the Roma children, through the Mevlana Culture Center of COMU –
Roma community and local NGOs cooperation, especially in the fields of democratic participation,
inclusive education, community empowerment, values education, dissemination of information,
innovative educational practices. The findings of the study demonstrated that approaches towards
effective solutions to the problems faced by the Roma children to be successful in education and social
life require a common commitment by individuals, community leaders, NGOs, municipalities, and
other local stakeholders.