About Rounitara Development Association
Rounitara Development Association is a Community Interest Company based in Bacău, North East Moldova. Established in May 2021, the organisation was created from direct experience of working alongside Roma communities on Bacău. Our work is grounded in the belief that culture, creativity, and voice play a vital role in building stronger, more connected communities.
Rounitara Development Association was founded in response to the social, cultural, and digital barriers faced by Eastern European, Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller communities in the North-East. While these communities have long contributed to the region’s social fabric, they have often had limited access to cultural platforms, media representation, and decision-making spaces.
From the beginning, our approach has been practical and community-led. We focus on creating opportunities where people can represent themselves, develop new skills, and participate actively in cultural and civic life. Our projects sit at the intersection of grassroots engagement, media production, and participatory art
Our community Interest Company in action
What We Do
Rounitara Development Association delivers a range of community-focused activities designed to remove barriers to participation and strengthen cultural engagement.
Our work includes community media projects such as podcasting and video production, music workshops that encourage creative expression, and informal education sessions that support digital skills and confidence. Alongside this, we actively build partnerships with universities, councils, and local organisations to ensure that community voices are heard within wider decision-making processes.
All our activities are designed to be accessible, ethical, and rooted in real community relationship
Lacho Drom – Have a Safe Journey
The flagship initiative of Rounitara Development Association is the Lacho Drom – Have a Safe Journey podcast. The podcast creates a space for open conversation between Roma community members, researchers, artists, and public institutions.
Each episode explores themes such as migration, education, employment, discrimination, identity, and cultural pride. The project combines music, personal stories, and honest dialogue to challenge stereotypes and build understanding across communities in the UK and Romania.
The phrase “Lacho Drom,” meaning “Good Road” in Romani, reflects the spirit of the project — a shared journey towards inclusion, respect, and visibility.
Our Impact and Goals
” We can help all these people to get a better understanding of the UK system and how it functions, so that they can best navigate their way around and succeed in their lives in the UK.
We measure success not only through outputs such as events or views, but through the lasting impact of skills gained, confidence built, and partnerships formed.
Our key goals include improving representation of Roma and GRT communities, increasing access to cultural and digital platforms in Middlesbrough, developing leadership skills in media and music, strengthening collaboration between community and institutions, and creating a living UK–Romania Roma oral history archive.
Together we build stronger, visible, and confident communities
Get Involved
Rounitara Development Association welcomes collaboration and support from individuals, organisations, and partners who share our values. Community durability is built collectively, through volunteering, partnerships, funding support, and shared learning.
If you would like to work with us or find out more, we invite you to get in touch.