On the 26 June the European Commission launched a report calling on EU Member States to enhance the effectiveness of their commitments of their national Roma integration strategies, to promote equality and the economic and social integration of the Roma population in Europe. The Commission has also proposed that the Council adopt a Recommendation for Roma integration.
Across Europe there are approximately 10-12 million Roma, many of whom remain marginalised, socially excluded and are living under very poor socio-economic conditions. In 2011 under the Hungarian EU Presidency, Member States agreed to set up an EU Framework for national Roma strategies which monitors the integration of the Roma population in four key areas: education, employment, housing and health-care.
In its country-specific recommendations for 2013, the Commission has proposed Roma specific recommendations for 5 Member States, namely Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, all of which have sizeable Roma populations. According to the Commission’s recent report, there is a large gap between the commitment made by Member States and the delivery on Roma integration. In light of the need to strengthen the efforts of Member States, the report highlights some of the pre-conditions that need to be in place at national, regional and local level for the successful implementation of the national Roma strategies.
- Involving local and regional authorities at all stages of the Roma integration process
- Improving the monitoring and evaluation the implementation of the strategies
- Allocating the necessary funding to promote integration (from both the European and national budgets)
- Stepping up the fight against discrimination of Roma people
- Mainstreaming Roma inclusion into other policies, including those on combatting poverty and social inclusion and promoting social investment
- Establishing effective national contact points for Roma integration
The report places emphasis on translating national efforts into local and regional action by improving the latter’s capacity to manage, monitor and evaluate the process of Roma integration. It states that local and regional authorities “should set a clear baseline, quantified targets and specific measures” and that they “should be given appropriate financial and human resources” to do so. Promoting cooperation and the exchange of experiences amongst local authorities is also underlined as a tool to ensure progress on this front.
In order to highlight positive stories of Roma integration, the Commission has collected examples of good practice already in place in many Member States. We have featured a few good ones below.
CountryGood practice examples on Roma integration
BelgiumOne-on-one social work
In the borough of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode in Brussels, Roma families are able to meet with their social worker once a month in order to encourage their social and professional integration and help them start new lives. The social worker works with each family one-on-one to help solve problems with housing, money, or simply making themselves understood.
GreeceA holistic approach to integration
A socio-medical centre in the city of Volos has taken a holistic approach by supporting Roma to get work, deal with health issues and find out about their social rights. The centre is currently run by the municipality, but other such centres have been closed down elsewhere in the country due to the economic crisis and lack of funding.
Romania“A Good Start”
This EU Roma pilot project focuses on bringing early childhood education to a Roma community in Bihar county, which had been living without proper housing, electricity and running water. After building up infrastructure using mostly private donations, an education centre, a crèche, as well as a kindergarten for 3-6 year olds were opened welcoming up to 40 children from the local community, both Roma and non-Roma. The project aims to integrate Roma children from a very early age, so that they will find it easier to participate in society as adults.
NetherlandsLabourPlus project
The Dutch municipality of Nieuwegein offers assistance to families with complex needs. The project is led by Nieuwegein, but is run in partnership with 9 countries and seeks to exchange best employment practices for migrants and Roma. The project receives funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
Looking to the future, the Commission has also proposed that the Council (that is all 28 Member States unanimously) adopt a Recommendation for Roma integration. This would aim to ensure that Member States take positive action to bridge the gap between the Roma and the rest of the population. Whether Member States will agree to such efforts remains to be seen.
The European Social Network (ESN) has repeatedly highlighted the importance of the participation of local and regional authorities’ in the design and delivery of the national Roma strategies and the need to pay particular attention to the situation of vulnerable Roma children.