# CE2004065EN.01019101.xml

| 13.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 65/191 |
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(2004/C 65 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2684/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject:   The problems of gypsies in Greece

In Greece gypsies face problems relating to social and economic exclusion and accommodation. As part of the operational programme ‘Combating exclusion from the labour market’ within the second Community support framework for Greece, projects were implemented which included actions aiming to combat the problems of gypsies, such as basic training (including combating illiteracy), training, the promotion of employment and the provision of accompanying and support services.

Can the Commission provide data to evaluate, in terms of actual content, the above-mentioned operational programme in the second Community support framework? Have any actions been planned in the third Community support framework to combat the problems of gypsies? If so, in which operational programmes and with what level of expenditure? What progress has been made to date with such actions?

Answer given Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(15 October 2003)

According to the information received from the Greek authorities, actions specifically targeting gypsies funded under the second and third Community Support Frameworks (CSF II and III) are as follows:

| I. | Programme: combating exclusion from the labour market under CSF II:
1.
Sub-programme: entering or returning to the labour market
These measures involved training, support services, and employment support for the gypsy population.
Year
Budget (euro)
Total number of beneficiaries
Number of hours training 1996
1 287 252
290
8 540 1997-1998
880 541
243
5 230 1999-2001
3 668 264
370
14 584 Total
5 836 057
903
28 354 2.
Sub-programme 5, measure 3 ‘Awareness and publicity campaigns’.
In 1999-2000, six information campaigns were organised highlighting the occupational activities of gypsies and promoting gypsy art.
In addition, six one-day events were organised by the Ministry of Labour to promote the economic and social inclusion of young gypsies. The total budget for this action was EUR 146 814. | 1. | Sub-programme: entering or returning to the labour market
These measures involved training, support services, and employment support for the gypsy population.
Year
Budget (euro)
Total number of beneficiaries
Number of hours training 1996
1 287 252
290
8 540 1997-1998
880 541
243
5 230 1999-2001
3 668 264
370
14 584 Total
5 836 057
903
28 354 | Year | Budget (euro) | Total number of beneficiaries | Number of hours training | 1996 | 1 287 252 | 290 | 8 540 | 1997-1998 | 880 541 | 243 | 5 230 | 1999-2001 | 3 668 264 | 370 | 14 584 | Total | 5 836 057 | 903 | 28 354 | 2. | Sub-programme 5, measure 3 ‘Awareness and publicity campaigns’.
In 1999-2000, six information campaigns were organised highlighting the occupational activities of gypsies and promoting gypsy art.
In addition, six one-day events were organised by the Ministry of Labour to promote the economic and social inclusion of young gypsies. The total budget for this action was EUR 146 814. |
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| 1. | Sub-programme: entering or returning to the labour market
These measures involved training, support services, and employment support for the gypsy population.
Year
Budget (euro)
Total number of beneficiaries
Number of hours training 1996
1 287 252
290
8 540 1997-1998
880 541
243
5 230 1999-2001
3 668 264
370
14 584 Total
5 836 057
903
28 354 | Year | Budget (euro) | Total number of beneficiaries | Number of hours training | 1996 | 1 287 252 | 290 | 8 540 | 1997-1998 | 880 541 | 243 | 5 230 | 1999-2001 | 3 668 264 | 370 | 14 584 | Total | 5 836 057 | 903 | 28 354 | | | | |
| Year | Budget (euro) | Total number of beneficiaries | Number of hours training | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1996 | 1 287 252 | 290 | 8 540 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1997-1998 | 880 541 | 243 | 5 230 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1999-2001 | 3 668 264 | 370 | 14 584 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | 5 836 057 | 903 | 28 354 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2. | Sub-programme 5, measure 3 ‘Awareness and publicity campaigns’.
In 1999-2000, six information campaigns were organised highlighting the occupational activities of gypsies and promoting gypsy art.
In addition, six one-day events were organised by the Ministry of Labour to promote the economic and social inclusion of young gypsies. The total budget for this action was EUR 146 814. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| II. | Action under the other CFS II and CSF III programmes was as follows:
3.
Education 4.
Over the period 1998-2001 (CSF II), under the ‘Continuing training’ operational programme, an educational programme was run for school age children in 30 locations with a gypsy population. The main activities comprised training 3 000 teachers for schools attended by gypsy children, producing appropriate teaching materials, setting up accelerated catch-up courses and promoting awareness among parents.
Following this programme, in 2000, 75 % of the children regularly attended primary school as opposed to 25 % previously. 5.
2002 onwards (CSF III)
This educational programme has been extended to all areas with a gypsy population and supplemented by new measures. It is co-financed by the CSF III ‘Employment and continuing training’ programme.
In the initial phase, 130 accelerated catch-up courses are planned to integrate children into mainstream education. These are not special schools for gypsies but entail a preparation and support programme to help them reintegrate into the school system. Courses for trainers and production of teaching materials are also on the agenda.
This initial phase will also include: literacy courses for 600 adults, courses in oral and written communication in Greek for 150 adults and training of 150 adults in basic areas such as health, children's education, etc. 6.
Health 7.
Over the period 1997-2002, the Ministry of Health, Prefectures and non-government organisations (NGOs) ran a vaccination programme. 8.
For 2002-2008 (CCA III) a public health programme is planned, co-financed under the CSF III Health and Welfare operational programme. It includes action on preventive health, vaccination and health education. A particular example is a mobile medical unit which has already visited 20 gypsy encampments. By the end of the period it will have visited all the communities concerned. The unit performs preventive examinations (blood tests, chest x-rays, PAP tests, etc).
In some communities, with the help of national funds, a permanent housing programme is being implemented, which will include 50 health centres. These centres will be co-financed by the corresponding CSF III regional programmes. 9.
Employment Promotion 10.
1997-2001 saw the implementation of some hundred occupational training programmes. The participants included around 1 800 members of the gypsy community. 11.
For the current period, a number of vocational training and employment support programmes are planned under the ‘Employment and vocational training’ OP and the regional CSF III programmes. They primarily target disadvantaged groups, including the gypsy community. 12.
Gypsy Support Centres (Adults and children)
This project is co-financed under the EQUAL initiative. There are currently ten centres operating in ten different districts. They provide advice and information in areas such as education, employment, health, housing and relations with the administrative authorities. In the districts with housing projects (national funds) 20 more such centres are planned for the current period. | 3. | Education | 4. | Over the period 1998-2001 (CSF II), under the ‘Continuing training’ operational programme, an educational programme was run for school age children in 30 locations with a gypsy population. The main activities comprised training 3 000 teachers for schools attended by gypsy children, producing appropriate teaching materials, setting up accelerated catch-up courses and promoting awareness among parents.
Following this programme, in 2000, 75 % of the children regularly attended primary school as opposed to 25 % previously. | 5. | 2002 onwards (CSF III)
This educational programme has been extended to all areas with a gypsy population and supplemented by new measures. It is co-financed by the CSF III ‘Employment and continuing training’ programme.
In the initial phase, 130 accelerated catch-up courses are planned to integrate children into mainstream education. These are not special schools for gypsies but entail a preparation and support programme to help them reintegrate into the school system. Courses for trainers and production of teaching materials are also on the agenda.
This initial phase will also include: literacy courses for 600 adults, courses in oral and written communication in Greek for 150 adults and training of 150 adults in basic areas such as health, children's education, etc. | 6. | Health | 7. | Over the period 1997-2002, the Ministry of Health, Prefectures and non-government organisations (NGOs) ran a vaccination programme. | 8. | For 2002-2008 (CCA III) a public health programme is planned, co-financed under the CSF III Health and Welfare operational programme. It includes action on preventive health, vaccination and health education. A particular example is a mobile medical unit which has already visited 20 gypsy encampments. By the end of the period it will have visited all the communities concerned. The unit performs preventive examinations (blood tests, chest x-rays, PAP tests, etc).
In some communities, with the help of national funds, a permanent housing programme is being implemented, which will include 50 health centres. These centres will be co-financed by the corresponding CSF III regional programmes. | 9. | Employment Promotion | 10. | 1997-2001 saw the implementation of some hundred occupational training programmes. The participants included around 1 800 members of the gypsy community. | 11. | For the current period, a number of vocational training and employment support programmes are planned under the ‘Employment and vocational training’ OP and the regional CSF III programmes. They primarily target disadvantaged groups, including the gypsy community. | 12. | Gypsy Support Centres (Adults and children)
This project is co-financed under the EQUAL initiative. There are currently ten centres operating in ten different districts. They provide advice and information in areas such as education, employment, health, housing and relations with the administrative authorities. In the districts with housing projects (national funds) 20 more such centres are planned for the current period. |
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| 3. | Education | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 4. | Over the period 1998-2001 (CSF II), under the ‘Continuing training’ operational programme, an educational programme was run for school age children in 30 locations with a gypsy population. The main activities comprised training 3 000 teachers for schools attended by gypsy children, producing appropriate teaching materials, setting up accelerated catch-up courses and promoting awareness among parents.
Following this programme, in 2000, 75 % of the children regularly attended primary school as opposed to 25 % previously. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 5. | 2002 onwards (CSF III)
This educational programme has been extended to all areas with a gypsy population and supplemented by new measures. It is co-financed by the CSF III ‘Employment and continuing training’ programme.
In the initial phase, 130 accelerated catch-up courses are planned to integrate children into mainstream education. These are not special schools for gypsies but entail a preparation and support programme to help them reintegrate into the school system. Courses for trainers and production of teaching materials are also on the agenda.
This initial phase will also include: literacy courses for 600 adults, courses in oral and written communication in Greek for 150 adults and training of 150 adults in basic areas such as health, children's education, etc. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 6. | Health | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 7. | Over the period 1997-2002, the Ministry of Health, Prefectures and non-government organisations (NGOs) ran a vaccination programme. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 8. | For 2002-2008 (CCA III) a public health programme is planned, co-financed under the CSF III Health and Welfare operational programme. It includes action on preventive health, vaccination and health education. A particular example is a mobile medical unit which has already visited 20 gypsy encampments. By the end of the period it will have visited all the communities concerned. The unit performs preventive examinations (blood tests, chest x-rays, PAP tests, etc).
In some communities, with the help of national funds, a permanent housing programme is being implemented, which will include 50 health centres. These centres will be co-financed by the corresponding CSF III regional programmes. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 9. | Employment Promotion | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 10. | 1997-2001 saw the implementation of some hundred occupational training programmes. The participants included around 1 800 members of the gypsy community. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 11. | For the current period, a number of vocational training and employment support programmes are planned under the ‘Employment and vocational training’ OP and the regional CSF III programmes. They primarily target disadvantaged groups, including the gypsy community. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12. | Gypsy Support Centres (Adults and children)
This project is co-financed under the EQUAL initiative. There are currently ten centres operating in ten different districts. They provide advice and information in areas such as education, employment, health, housing and relations with the administrative authorities. In the districts with housing projects (national funds) 20 more such centres are planned for the current period. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

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