The primary aim of this article is to place the current situation of Roms in the
Western Balkans in the broader historical context of Roms’ experiences since their
arrival in the region. A subsidiary aim is to examine some of the ways in which the
work of the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) has taken steps to address
this situation. Beginning with a discussion of Roms’ origins and ethnogenesis, the
article provides a broad overview of Roms’ experiences in the Western Balkans from
their arrival in the region through the post-communist period. Also offered is a brief
examination of some of the difficulties encountered in measuring the size of Romani
populations in the region. Presenting in more detail the situation of Roms in
Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia, the article moves next to an examination of
ECMI’s novel approach to assessing Roms’ needs and to the action-oriented followon
initiatives designed on the basis of the needs assessments. The conclusion of the
article is that lasting change in Roms’ status is likely to depend in large part on the
integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the European Union.