He came to Montenegro as a child. Growing up in Nikšić was not easy. Life without parents, often without necessities, taught this young and successful Roma man what it means to struggle, but also what it means to be human.
Nardi Ahmetović is a Roma activist and Director of the non-governmental organisation “Centre for the Affirmation of the Roma and Egyptian Population” (CAREP). He is engaged in advocating for Roma rights, their inclusion in society, and the improvement of education and employment within the Roma community. He is also known as a humanitarian, a Red Cross volunteer, and an organiser of various projects and media activities dedicated to the Roma community.
“I have been part of the Red Cross from a very young age, and that is where I found myself. I remember the first time I put on that red uniform – that was when I realised I wanted to help others,” Nardi said.
His desire to engage in activism developed gradually.
“I slowly became involved in activism. I did not plan it; life simply led me in that direction. I saw the problems in my community, especially among young people, and I could not stand aside. I felt the need to act, to help as much as I could, and to set an example,” Ahmetović recalls.
According to him, the greatest challenge faced by young Roma people in Montenegro today is a society without equal opportunities. However, the solution, he says, lies in education.
Ahmetović leads CAREP, an organisation that brings young people together, involves them in social processes, and provides support to help them develop their abilities, addressing, in concrete ways the challenges faced by the Roma and Egyptian communities.
“We wanted to create a space where young people would have the opportunity to learn, grow, and become active members of the community,” Ahmetović emphasised.