56  //  CONTACT POINT FOR ROMA AND SINTI ISSUES Civil society representatives from Roma and Sinti communities during a training event on participation and advocacy organized by the ODIHR on the margins of the annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw, 17 September 2017. (OSCE/Ewa Jasińska) “P articipating States of the OSCE have to ensure full and effective participation of young Roma and Sinti in public and political processes. This benefits not only the individuals, but also their communities, the participating States and society as a whole.” — Roland Ferkovics, young Roma professional from Hungary PROMOTING PARTICIPATION OF ROMA AND SINTI, INCLUDING WOMEN AND YOUTH ODIHR’s work on improving the situation and promoting participation of Roma and Sinti women and youth was reinforced by the 2013 Ministerial Council Decision on “Enhancing OSCE Efforts to Implement the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, with a Particular Focus on Roma and Sinti Women, Youth and Children”. ODIHR continued work on the Roma and Sinti Youth Initiative and supported three civil society organizations in implementing national projects aimed at building the capacity of Roma and Sinti youth to become politically active. Part of this work involved educating youth on the rules governing voting procedures, the importance of voting in local and national elections and the benefits of engaging with local governments and national parliaments. Project beneficiaries also implemented local initiatives in their communities where they practiced leadership, community organizing and mobilizing for a common cause. One implementing partner established a national Roma youth platform and trained its members in advocacy, monitoring and gender mainstreaming. Another project strengthened the potential of young Roma and Sinti to tackle security challenges at a local level through education about the concept of human security.