The establishment of the Roma National Congress (RNC) was connected to the drastic changes which the political transition in eastern Europe brought upon the Roma: Along with freedom of expression and organization, eastern Europe's Roma face increasing dis crimination and violence, Many of them have sought refuge in the West, but nationalist sentiments have prevented their absorption and protection. Moreover, the political climate in Germany, one of the main refuge countries, has become increasingly hostile to the Roma, and pressure has been exerted on other European Community countries as well to take measures against Romani refugees, leading to large scale incitement campaigns against the Roma in general.

While Romani organizations have now become active virtually everywhere in Europe, including on the international level, none of the existing bodies assumed responsibility for the Romani refugee population, although refuge has always been part of Romani hi story. The RNC was founded in order to help protect and represent Roma who have become stateless or de facto stateless through political developments in which they were prevented from taking an active part, despite the impact of such events on their lives. While operating an the European level, the RNC also participates in other international efforts to represent the Roma, including EUROM and the Standing Conferenc for Cooperation and Coordination of Romani Associations in Europe (SCCCRAE).