For three decades the philanthropist and billionaire investor George Soros has played a prominent role in promoting a vision of 'Open Society' in Central Eastern Europe (CEE), promoting the transition from communist statism to liberal democracy through his philanthropic measures, most notably his support for the Open Society Foundations. Within this body of work an important aspect has been Soros support and commitment to the development of Roma civil society. Support from Soros endeavours has enabled the development and progression of Roma civil society, especially at the transnational level, preparing and training Roma community leaders in the skills of community development and project management. Thousands of Roma individuals have also benefited from generous scholarship programmes funded by Open Society and Soros, completing school and university studies and other forms of training, thereby engendering role models. Soros-supported initiatives have also been highly influential in transnational diplomacy within for example the Council of Europe and the European Union, playing an important role in policy frameworks like the Decade for Roma Inclusion and the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.

George Soros has played a prominent role in promoting a vision of an "Open Society" in Central and Eastern Europe through his philanthropic efforts, most notably via the Open Society Foundations. An important aspect of this work has been Soros support for the Roma civil rights movement, civil society, education, rights, academia, and culture. While not without its shortcomings, support from Soros has enabled the development and strengthening of Roma civil society, especially at the transnational level. Thousands of Roma individuals have benefited from scholarship programmes funded by the Open Society Foundations, enabling them to complete secondary and higher education. Soros-supported initiatives have also played an important role in transnational Roma policymaking, notably influencing policy frameworks such as the Decade of Roma Inclusion.

Andrew Ryder is a British academic and social justice campaigner based in Budapest. He is a Professor at Eötvös Loránd University and Director of the Institute for Political and International Studies. Ryder has a deep commitment to Gypsy Roma and Traveller activism: he was researcher to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers and Policy Officer for the Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform Coalition.

Balázs Majtényi is a Hungarian human rights lawyer and activist based in Budapest. He is Professor and Head of the Department of Human Rights and Politics and UNESCO Chair of Human Rights and Peace at Eötvös Loránd University. He has worked for decades with Roma NGOs and Roma rights activists on various projects aimed at protecting Roma rights.

Frank Thomas Zsigó is a Canadian/Hungarian political scientist and assistant professor at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. He has worked with a number of Roma NGOs in Hungary and served as a consultant to Roma organizations at the midway point of the Decade for Roma Inclusion.