Reviving civic spirit
Active citizenship and democratic values, for a better society.
Learn more: Reviving civic spirit
Our mission
Three directions, one road
Civic spirit, education, inclusion: three directions that support one another. Here is what each one means to us, and what we have actually done.
Our starting point
What our name says
The phoenix is forever reborn from its own ashes. Our name says what we believe: that, with enthusiasm and optimism, we can revive civic spirit, reinvent youth education and reinvigorate social inclusion.
Reinventing youth education
Education that motivates, instead of an outdated, almost mechanical system.
Learn more: Reinventing youth educationReinvigorating social inclusion
Practical support for disadvantaged people and families in the community.
Learn more: Reinvigorating social inclusion
Direction 01
Reviving civic spirit
For us, reviving civic spirit means taking an active part in the life of the community, for a better society.
We believe the achievements of those who came before us did not turn to ash, and that they have heirs marked by humanity, not by bribery and selfishness. Our statutory purpose opens with the development of civic spirit, and includes encouraging active citizenship, participation in community life and democratic values.
- On 3 November 2015, after the Colectiv nightclub tragedy, we too took to the streets peacefully, alongside those calling for a fairer public life.
- On our Social studies page you will find European reports on justice, young people, gender equality and quality of life – a starting point for informed involvement.
Direction 02
Youth education – the art of developing people
In our founding text we wrote that young people are educated in an outdated, almost mechanical system – one that fails to motivate them and cannot keep up with the very fast pace of everyday life.
We want to reinvent it wherever we can: we bring children and young people closer to school, to university and to people who can be role models for them. The very first area in our statutory purpose is developing education and research for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and ethnic groups.
- Through Baro Drom, pupils from the commune of Cernica visited the Faculty of Law of the University of Bucharest and learnt that the law protects them too. On 2 April 2026, eighth-grade pupils from Cernica and Tânganu came back for a talk about criminal law, explained in terms they could relate to.
- In our Christmas campaign, “Children’s smiles”, we put the greatest emphasis on learning: puzzles, games that challenge children’s intelligence and creativity, and school supplies.
Direction 03
Reinvigorating social inclusion
Inclusion cannot be done from behind a desk. We set out to breathe new life into the ways disadvantaged people are included in society – through concrete steps.
Our statutory purpose includes developing social and public services, protecting human rights and children’s rights, and overcoming the stigma that comes from other members of society.
- In October 2015, a Romanian family received free legal assistance from us, and its four children, who had been at risk of being put up for adoption abroad, returned to Romania.
- At Christmas we supported children in Glina and in Bucharest’s Ferentari neighbourhood. More than 50 children in Glina received gifts, clothes, food and school supplies.
- Through Baro Drom, we work for genuine Roma inclusion strategies and against racism, for a society in which no one is judged by their ethnicity.
How we work
Principles we never negotiate
We set them out as part of the Baro Drom project. They are a few simple rules that guide us.
We start with people
We talk with people, not about them. Good solutions are worked out together with communities and adapted to each place.
Culture is a bridge
Prejudice fades when people get to know each other. That is why we showcase Roma culture: its crafts, its music, its history.
We think long-term
What we do today with children and young people will only bear fruit years from now. That is why we look for continuity, not one-off events.
We work together
Schools, universities, local authorities and other organisations have resources that we do not. We thank those who have opened their doors to us, as the Faculty of Law of the University of Bucharest did.
Take the road with us
Each of our three directions needs people who will put their time, ideas or profession at the service of the community. You can become a volunteer or support the association in another way.