EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 7.10.2020 COM(2020) 620 final COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL A Union of Equality:













EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation {SWD(2020) 530 final}



Where is the essence of humanity when every single day Roma people are excluded from society and others are held back simply because of the colour of their skin or their religious belief? Commission President von der Leyen, State of the Union 2020 Europe has a duty to protect its minorities from racism and discrimination. We must replace antigypsyism with openness and acceptance, hate speech and hate crime with tolerance and respect for human dignity, and bullying with education about the Holocaust. Above all, we must promote diversity as a wonderful gift that makes Europe strong and resilient. This is why the Commission calls on all Member States to join the pledge to end racism and discrimination, which blatantly affects our large ethnic Roma minorities. We urge Member States to commit to a new EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation to bring social fairness and more equality in all senses of the word. Statement by President von der Leyen, Vice-President Jourová and Commissioner Dalli ahead of the 2020 Roma Holocaust remembrance day I. Introduction Building a Union of equality is one of the major priorities of the Commission. The EU has legal instruments and a comprehensive policy to build a true Union of equality. Nevertheless, as underlined in the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025, discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin persists. This is particularly true for Roma, who often remain marginalised. Many of the continent’s estimated 10-12 million Roma continue to face discrimination, antigypsyism and socioeconomic exclusion in their daily lives. In 2011, the Commission adopted an EU framework for national Roma integration strategies up to 2020 . It primarily aimed at tackling the socioeconomic exclusion of Roma in the EU and enlargement countries by promoting equal access to education, employment, health and housing. It called on Member States to design national Roma integration strategies, to appoint national Roma contact points and to set national goals. Two years later, the Council adopted a Recommendation on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States, which provided guidance to Member States on how to strengthen implementation of their national strategies . The Western Balkan region voluntarily aligned with the EU framework for national Roma integration strategies up to 2020. These two instruments important for placing Roma inclusion high on EU and national agendas and mobilising EU policy, legal and funding instruments. Nevertheless, overall progress in Roma integration has been limited over the past 10 years, even if there are significant differences across policy areas and countries . Education is the area that progressed the most, notably by reducing early school-leaving and improving participation in early childhood education and compulsory schooling. However, cases of segregation of Roma pupils in education have increased. Poverty risk and self-perceived health status of Roma improved but medical coverage continues to be limited. Access to employment did not improve, and the share of Roma youth not in employment, education or training has even increased. Especially due to inadequate and segregated housing the housing situation remains difficult. There is evidence of some reduction in discrimination experiences among Roma and increased acceptance of Roma by the general population. However, antigypsyism, hate crime, trafficking in Roma, in particular women and children, continue to be a matter of high concern . The conclusion of the EU framework for national Roma integration strategies provides an opportunity to step up action to address this persistent failing. This is all the more important as the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the extreme exposure of excluded and marginalised Roma communities to negative health and socioeconomic impacts. To achieve more and faster progress, this Communication sets out a new EU Roma strategic framework, promoting effective equality, socio-economic inclusion and meaningful participation of Roma. Whilst Member States are on the front line to drive real change for Roma, which requires a strengthened political commitment, the EU can help them to shape an effective approach and equip them with the right tools. This strategic framework draws on the findings from the evaluation of the previous framework, extensive consultations , annual assessments of the implementation of national strategies and analysis of the reasons for the limited effectiveness of past measures . It responds to calls from the European Parliament, the Council and civil society for a strengthened post-2020 EU initiative . It recognises that not all Roma are socially excluded, but all can experience discrimination and disempowerment. It takes an intersectional approach, sensitive to the combination of ethnicity with other aspects of identity and the ways in which such intersections contribute to unique experiences of discrimination. This EU Roma strategic framework also contributes to several other initiatives. It is a direct contribution to implementing the EU anti-racism action plan, the European pillar of social rights and to the achievement of the UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving equity and inclusion calls for increased use and better channelling of resources, and the involvement and partnership of Roma communities, all government levels, sectors and stakeholders (national governments, EU institutions, international organisations, civil society and, as well as industry and academia). Close cooperation between the European and the national level is particularly crucial. At EU level, this strategic framework sets out ambitious common objectives and targets. At national level, governments should develop strong national Roma strategic frameworks to make long-term commitments and work hand in hand with the EU institutions on Roma equality, inclusion and participation. As proposed in the 2016 Council conclusions, the Commission is adopting a proposal to review and replace the 2013 Council Recommendation. II. Common objectives for Roma equality, inclusion and participation The evaluation of the current framework and the conclusions drawn from it by the European Parliament, Council, and several Europe-wide and national civil society organisations show a need to renew and step up the commitment to Roma equality, inclusion and participation at both European and national level. A strengthened commitment is necessary to tackle persistent discrimination, including antigypsyism, and to improve inclusion of Roma people in education, employment, health and housing . Roma people should be involved from the design to the implementation of measures. At the same time, action should acknowledge the diversity and needs of specific groups within the Roma population. The Commission therefore sets seven objectives at the EU level for the period up to 2030. Three of these objectives are horizontal in the areas of equality, inclusion and participation. The other four are sectoral objectives in the areas of education, employment, housing and health. To implement these objectives effectively, they need to be backed up with the ability to measure progress. For this reason, and for the first time, the Commission proposes quantitative EU headline targets to monitor achievement towards these objectives. While such targets require minimum progress to be achieved by 2030, the long-term aim remains to ensure effective equality and to close the gap between Roma and the general population. These targets are the fruit of experience with surveys among Roma communities and result from an in-depth consultation involving the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Member States as well as Roma and pro-Roma civil society. The charts below set out the seven objectives, the EU-level targets, the progress to be reached and the current situation.

Other indicators are being explored.



III. Renewed and strengthened national action for equality, inclusion and participation Meeting the objectives of this strategic framework needs action at both EU and national level. This complementary approach is the only way to drive a change on the ground. Member States hold the main competences in the areas covered by this framework and a structured approach is needed. While the situation of Roma varies across countries, there is a need to increase commitment and accountability at national level to bring a real change in Roma everyday life. This includes involvement of civil society and all relevant stakeholders in the preparation of national Roma strategic frameworks. Taking forward national action through national Roma strategic frameworks Member States are invited to develop, adopt and implement national Roma strategic frameworks including: ocommon features ominimum commitments which should apply to all opossible additional commitments depending on the national context omore ambitious commitments for Member States with large Roma populations Proposals for these elements are set out below. Where possible, specific national targets should be set. The Commission will assist this process with all necessary guidance. It will also support national measures including by enforcing equality legislation, mainstreaming Roma equality, inclusion and participation in EU policy initiatives, mobilising EU funds for Roma and combating antigypsyism. Member States are invited to complete the development of these national frameworks by September 2021, and to share these with the Commission. Together with this Communication, the Commission is adopting a proposal for a Council Recommendation on Roma equality, inclusion and participation, which sets out a list of specific measures to be taken by Member States in order to achieve the EU objectives. The two are therefore complementary. The proposed Recommendation also guides capacity-building of and partnerships between stakeholders, including national Roma contact points, equality bodies, civil society and the regional and local actors. In addition, it provides guidance for ensuring a better use of EU and national funds, as well as effective national monitoring, reporting and evaluation of national Roma strategic frameworks. III.1. Guidance for national action following a common but differentiated approach In order to help Member States developing meaningful and effective national Roma strategic frameworks, the Commission proposes a series of common features, as well as minimum commitments for all national strategic Roma frameworks. Moreover, as the proportion of Roma, as well as their national contexts, varies considerably from one Member State to the other, the Commission proposes additional and more targeted commitments. This recognises the diversity of situations in Member States and allows for a common but differentiated approach. First, the Commission proposes that all national Roma strategic frameworks have the following common features: üStrengthen focus on equality to complement the inclusion approach: Addressing the four policy areas (education, employment, healthcare and housing) through an integrated approach remains key for Roma inclusion, but there is also a need for a clear focus on equality. In particular, the fight against discrimination and antigypsyism should be a key objective and cross‑cutting priority in each policy area, complementing the inclusion approach. This joint focus should ensure that Roma have effective access to economic and social justice and equal opportunities. üPromote participation through empowerment, cooperation and trust: Meaningful Roma participation must be ensured in all stages of policy-making. Roma political, economic and cultural engagement should be promoted with a sense of belonging as full members of society. Empowerment and capacity-building of Roma, civil society and public authorities must be ensured, building cooperation and trust between stakeholders and between Roma and non-Roma communities. üReflect diversity among Roma: Member States should ensure that their strategic frameworks cover all Roma on their territory and reflect the needs of diverse groups through an intersectional approach. They should bear in mind how different aspects of identity can combine to exacerbate discrimination. They should set quantitative and/or qualitative targets to ensure that diversity in terms of age, gender, sexual orientation, mobility and other personal characteristics is reflected. üCombine mainstreaming and explicit, but not exclusive Roma targeting: National Roma strategic frameworks should combine mainstreaming and explicit but not exclusive targeting, ensuring that mainstream services are inclusive and providing additional targeted support to promote effective equal access for Roma to rights and services. They should serve as planning instruments for using national and EU funds for Roma-targeted action and inclusive mainstream reform. üImprove target‑setting, data collection, monitoring and reporting: Working towards achievement of the EU‑level headline targets and corresponding quantitative and/or qualitative national targets can trigger real progress towards Roma equality, inclusion and participation. Data should be collected regularly to feed into reporting and monitoring, improve transparency and accountability, and promote policy transfer and learning. Second, operationalising the common features, building on the experiences with the current framework and following the widespread consultations carried out over the past two years, the Commission invites all Member States to include in their national Roma strategic frameworks, as a minimum, the following commitments: The national strategic framework should set out: a)national baselines and targets towards the EU objectives and targets based on a comprehensive needs-assessment; b)targets and measures for specific groups (Roma children, women, young people, older Roma or those with disabilities, EU mobile citizens, non‑EU nationals, stateless Roma) to reflect diversity among Roma, including gender‑responsive and child/age‑sensitive measures; c)measures to tackle antigypsyism and discrimination (e.g. through national anti‑racism action plans); d)measures to ensure the socio-economic inclusion of marginalised Roma, in particular in the areas of education, employment, health and housing; e)a combination of targeted and mainstream measures taking account of specific local challenges and explicitly addressing the barriers that deprive Roma of equal access to mainstream policies; f)a dedicated budget for implementation and monitoring making full use of social innovation and private capital; g)mechanisms for reporting, monitoring and evaluating progress towards set targets; h)a system of policy‑relevant consultation and cooperation with Roma and pro‑Roma civil society, sectoral ministries, equality bodies, other national human rights institutions and other stakeholders; and i)capacity‑building to promote the active participation of civil society in all stages of policy‑making and ensure its involvement in national and EU platform processes. The National Roma Contact Points (NRCP) should: a)be given a mandate, sufficient resources and staff to ensure ongoing coordination and monitoring; and b)present a regular progress report and participate in core activities of the NRCP network managed by the Commission. Third, in addition to these common features and minimum commitments, additional national efforts, according to specific national contexts, can be important. Challenges in Roma equality, inclusion and participation vary depending on the size of the Roma population and their share of the overall population, as well as on the wider economic context and the legacy of exclusion and discrimination. They also vary depending on where and how Roma live (rural, urban, mobile, segregated areas) and specific aspects such as transnational mobility, migration or issues associated with civic documentation. These different challenges can be reflected in national Roma strategic frameworks, with differentiated objectives, levels of investment and types of policy solution. Depending on the national context (such as options for data collection, use of targeted or mainstream EU funding, relative size and specific needs of their Roma population), the Commission invites Member States to make additional commitments as follows: The national strategic framework should also set out: a)national quantitative and qualitative targets for all seven EU objectives and associated targets (depending on data availability); b)how EU and national funds and financial instruments will be invested for Roma; and c)how institutional or administrative reforms will contribute to equality and inclusion. The National Roma Contact Points (NRCP) should also carry out a mid-term evaluation and review of the national strategic framework. Fourth, where Roma make up a significant proportion of the population (i.e. well above 1%), promoting their equality and inclusion is not only important in terms of fundamental rights but also has clear economic significance. In countries with a larger share of Roma people, this group represents a growing proportion of the school-age population and the future labour force. Progress in socioeconomic inclusion for the Roma has the potential to reduce labour and skills shortages in times of adverse demographic developments and reduce social expenditure. Investment in better education and upskilling of a previously excluded labour force can positively affect productivity growth. Ensuring that Roma people can deploy their potential to contribute to the economy and society in general will lead to better social and economic outcomes for all.

This justifies the need for more intensive commitments and EU support, in particular the use of EU funds for both targeted action and inclusive mainstream reforms. In this respect, Member States with a significant Roma population are invited to make full use of the proposed ESF+ specific objective on promoting the socio-economic integration of marginalised communities such as the Roma. They are also encouraged to do more to ensure that the available funding effectively reaches the Roma. This also requires data collection disaggregated by ethnicity and sex to support policy design, monitoring and review. In addition to the minimum commitments and those deriving from the national context, the Commission therefore invites Member States with significant Roma populations to include in their national Roma strategic framework more ambitious commitments, according to which: The national strategic framework should also: a)present a plan or set of measures for preventing and fighting antigypsyism and discrimination, segregation in education and housing, and anti‑Roma prejudices and stereotypes (including online); b)mainstream Roma equality and inclusion at regional and local levels; and c)set out how EU and national funds and financial instruments will be invested for inclusive mainstream policy reform and targeted action. The role of the NRCP should be strengthened, so that it can: a)count on a dedicated team and institutional mandate that ensures political weight, effective cross-sectoral coordination and mainstreaming of Roma equality and inclusion at regional and local levels; b)be involved (by EU fund managing authorities) in the coordination of cross-governmental discussions on the distribution of EU funds for Roma, and in systematic monitoring of their use (e.g. through monitoring committees, Roma inclusion impact screenings); c)ensure national consultation and dialogue empowering Roma (in particular young people and women); and d)ensure that public policies and universal services reach out to Roma effectively, including those living in remote rural areas (e.g. emergency and medium‑term measures in times of crisis, legislative reform, policy planning on education, employment, healthcare, housing, other areas of socio-economic inclusion, social services, transport, minimum income systems, anti‑discrimination legislation). Finally, in designing and implementing national Roma strategic frameworks, Member States are advised to consider the common basic principles of Roma inclusion . Annex 1 provides additional guidance for policy planning and implementation when fighting antigypsyism and multi‑generational poverty , promoting Roma participation and empowerment, reflecting diversity among Roma and combining targeted and mainstream approaches. It also sets out guidance to better meet emerging challenges, such as tackling the disproportionate impact on Roma of crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring digital inclusion and delivering environmental justice. In addition, it provides guidance on promoting (awareness of) Roma art, history and culture and social innovation and policy experimentation. The Commission will support Member States in developing and implementing their national Roma strategic frameworks not only through financial support and coordination measures, such as mutual learning or capacity-building, but also through methodological support and assistance from the structural reform and support programme (SRSP) to develop monitoring and evaluation systems. Member States can also get support from the FRA, equality bodies and other national human rights institutions and national statistical institutes to ensure/improve regular data collection capacities at national level. EU support will be modulated according to the level of Member States’ commitments. III.2 Reporting and monitoring of national action and progress towards targets In order to ensure more effective data collection, reporting and monitoring of progress on both EU targets, as well as of the national targets proposed above, the Commission proposes for the first time the use of a portfolio of indicators (see Annex 2). This would be of real value to mutual learning between Member States. This portfolio has been developed by a working party on Roma indicators and reporting coordinated by the FRA, involving national Roma contact points, national statistical offices and the Commission. It will also enable reporting on measures set out in the proposed Council Recommendation. Reporting and monitoring of national action will be done both at EU and national levels. In 2022, the Commission will take stock of national Roma strategic frameworks, assess the commitments made by the Member States and provide guidance for any improvement needed. Member States are asked to report on implementation of national Roma strategic frameworks every two years from 2023 onwards, including measures to promote equality, inclusion and participation and making full use of the portfolio of indicators. The reporting should focus on implementation of the commitments set out in the national frameworks, including achievement of national targets, where appropriate. These reports should be made public, to increase transparency and promote policy learning. The strategic frameworks and finalised reports should also be discussed in national parliaments. The Commission requests the FRA to carry out the regular Roma survey in four-year cycles starting in 2020 to provide the necessary baseline, mid-term and end-term data to measure change. The FRA is also asked to support Member States’ data collection and reporting efforts including through the working party on Roma indicators and reporting, and feed the Commission’s monitoring and analysis of national progress. National reports will serve, together with input from civil society and FRA data, as a basis for the Commission’s periodic monitoring reports, issued every two years. The Commission will also carry out a mid-term and an ex-post evaluation of the EU Roma strategic framework. IV. EU Actions Member States are key actors to enable change on the ground for Roma. EU action and support will complement national efforts to promote progress towards the EU objectives and targets by 2030. IV.1. Enforcing EU legislation Action to fight antigypsyism and discrimination against Roma rests on an established EU legal framework, including the general principles of non-discrimination and equality set out in the Treaties, reaffirmed in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as the Racial Equality Directive and the Council Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia . As underlined in the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025, a comprehensive system of protection against discrimination requires first and foremost the effective enforcement of the legal framework, to ensure that individual rights and obligations are respected in practice. This work goes broader than Roma, but will be of direct benefit to Roma communities. The Commission will continue to monitor and enforce the application of the Racial Equality Directive, by investigating systematic discrimination and launching infringement proceedings, if necessary, to prompt changes in national legislation and policy. Over the last years, a particular focus was put on discrimination against Roma children in education. The Commission will provide guidance and training, and offer financial support for the collection of equality data and the effective implementation and enforcement of the Directive, including through the representation of victims’ interests. As announced in the EU anti-racism action plan, the Commission will report on the application of the Directive in 2021 and follow up with any possible legislation by 2022. Moreover, the Commission will continue to support the work of equality bodies, which accord a high priority in their work to seeking improvement in the situation and experience of Roma. The Commission will monitor the implementation of the Commission Recommendation on standards for equality bodies. The role and independence of equality bodies and the potential need for new legislation to strengthen the role of these bodies will be an important theme in the 2021 report. The Commission will also continue its work on preventing and combating racism and xenophobia, in particular by reinforcing recording and reporting of hate crimes with the support of the FRA, enhance the training strategies of law enforcement and strengthen the support for victims of hate crime. According to FRA, Roma experience a high rate (30% of respondents of Roma origin) of hate-motivated harassment. The Commission reiterates its commitment to ensure full and correct transposition and implementation of the Council Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, and where necessary launch infringement procedures . As a prerequisite for the fight against antigypsyism, the minimum standards set on the criminalisation of hate speech, and the denial, condoning or trivialisation of the Holocaust need to be fully and correctly transposed into the legislation of Member States. As other people with a minority ethnic or racial background, Roma are affected by online hate speech, and antigypsyism is one of the most commonly reported ground of hate speech. The Commission will continue to cooperate with IT companies to counter illegal hate speech online, and extend efforts to other social media platforms. The Framework Decision is complemented by the Victims’ Rights Directive, which amongst other things aims to ensure justice, protection and support for victims of hate crimes and hate speech. The EU strategy on victims’ rights (2020-2025) addresses the specific needs of victims of hate crimes, including Roma . IV.2. Mainstreaming Roma equality in EU policy initiatives and mobilising EU funds for Roma Mainstreaming Roma equality, inclusion and participation in all relevant Commission initiatives will be key to achieving the objectives set out in this strategic framework. When developing policies, from socio-economic inclusion to Artificial Intelligence, from the Green Deal to digital inclusion and from addressing hate speech to migration policies, integrating the equality dimension also includes ensuring that EU and national policies serve the interests of all Roma people. As part of its activities towards promoting equality for all and equality in all its senses, the Commission’s internal Task Force on Equality will strive to ensure that the fight against discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin and its intersections with other grounds of discrimination, is integrated into all EU policies, legislation and funding programmes. When implementing the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025, the perspective of Roma will always be considered. Guidance and training on mainstreaming will support all involved in the integration of an equality perspective into every stage of EU interventions, and more active consultation of organisations representing Roma will be promoted throughout the Commission’s policy cycle. The Commission internal Roma taskforce will continue to engage different Commission services at various levels in key priority areas, such as the effective use of EU funds to promote Roma equality and inclusion.

As part of NextGeneration EU, the new Recovery and Resilience Facility will support investments and reforms essential to a lasting recovery and foster economic and social resilience and cohesion. In order to receive support, Member States will have to draw up recovery and resilience plans addressing the economic and social impacts of the crisis, the digital and green transitions and the relevant priorities identified in country specific recommendations under the European Semester. This support will give possibilities to Member States to foster the inclusion of marginalised groups, including Roma and other people with a minority racial or ethnic background. The Commission’s proposals for the multi-annual financial framework promote the inclusion of Roma and the fight against discrimination, in particular through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). In 2019, the Commission highlighted the importance of Roma inclusion in several European Semester country specific reports; this should be reflected and addressed in the 2021-2027 programmes. The Commission’s proposals for the Common Provisions, the ESF+, the ERDF, and the EAFRD regulations: üprovide financial support for the implementation of national Roma strategic frameworks and measures, including human capacity, infrastructure and capacity building activities; üprovide for all programmes to promote equal opportunities for all, without discrimination on the basis of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; ürequest fulfilment of thematic (national Roma strategic policy framework, national strategic policy framework for social inclusion and poverty reduction) and horizontal (Charter of Fundamental Rights) enabling conditions throughout the 2021-2027 period; ürequire that at least 25% of ESF+ resources foster social inclusion, ensuring that a minimum amount targets those most in need; and üstress the ‘partnership principle’, i.e. the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including bodies representing social inclusion, non-discrimination and fundamental rights, civil society organisations, in the preparation and implementation of programmes and partnership agreements and in monitoring committees. Member States have a key role in designing public policies and maximising the use of funding programmes to support Roma, as most of the EU budget is implemented by Member States in shared management. The Commission therefore invites Member States to target funds under the 2021-2027 multi-annual financial framework (MFF) and NextGeneration EU to tackle the challenges and address the needs of Roma, so as to implement the commitments taken in their national Roma strategic frameworks. The Commission will aim to ensure that country-specific challenges identified in the European Semester are properly addressed in the forthcoming partnership agreements, and that measures promoting equality and inclusion are implemented via operational programmes. The Commission will closely monitor that, in such Member States, a twin strategy of, on the one hand, making services inclusive and on the other hand providing targeted programmes towards marginalised Roma communities is in place and reflected in the 2021-2027 programming documents. The enabling conditions applicable to specific EU funds in 2021-2027 proposed by the Commission aim to ensure respect for fundamental rights as well as Roma equality, inclusion and participation. In order to enhance efficiency and effectiveness as regards the Roma-related interventions, the Commission will support transnational learning regarding both policy and funding, such as the EURoma network of managing authorities and national Roma contact points. InvestEU programme under its social investment and skills window can also contribute to socio-economic inclusion of marginalised groups, including Roma. This can happen through innovative funding approaches such as social impact bonds and result-oriented projects including through blending with EU grants and/or financial instruments from sectorial programmes or combination of different streams of EU funding. The Commission will implement focused pilot initiatives with the aim of testing and demonstrating working approaches to concrete inclusion aspects (housing, employment, social security) through the use of innovative funding approaches, which could be taken up/expanded or replicated through larger programmes at national or EU level. Member States will be able to seek technical support to mainstream Roma equality in policy-making and reform processes through the Technical Support Instrument. IV.3. EU action and support to promote Roma participation, inclusion and diversity In the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025, the Commission committed to lead by example as an institution by taking steps to significantly improve the representativeness of Commission staff through measures targeting recruitment and selection. When carrying out these measures the Commission will ensure that they apply to Roma. The Commission invites the other EU institutions to take steps to foster diversity and inclusion in their respective workplaces. The Commission will organise regular meetings with Member State representatives and EU‑level civil society and international organisations, with a stronger mutual learning mandate. It will also ensure regular exchanges between stakeholders. The Commission will continue to organise meetings on cohesion policy with civil society organisations (‘structured dialogue’) in 2021-2027. It will hold closed dialogue meetings with Roma civil society organisations on cohesion policy developments. As proposed by the European Parliament, the Commission will launch a new cycle of Roma civil society capacity‑building to enable coordinated independent civil monitoring and reporting, building on lessons from the Roma Civil Monitor project (2017‑2020). Coordinated independent civil monitoring reports are planned in two-year cycles starting in 2022. The Commission will seek to maximise the influence of the European Roma platform, bringing together national governments, the EU, international organisations and Roma civil society representatives and aiming to stimulate cooperation and exchange of experience. It will organise thematic, country and regional reviews of national strategic frameworks based on the findings of the Roma Civil Society Monitoring project and national monitoring reports. Through its funding to the national Roma platforms the Commission will promote a reform of these platforms, in particular by making them more representative of the national Roma population. They should be extended to new stakeholders (e.g. children’s rights organisations, the private sector) to enable new learning, tap into the potential of social innovation, change mentalities and bring about lasting social change. To encourage the active engagement of Roma, particularly women and youth, a platform representative should be elected to ensure transnational networking between national and European Roma platforms, while Roma youth should be offered dedicated traineeships or junior positions in national structures linked to the implementation of national Roma platforms. Synergies with other EU, national or international initiatives, in particular the civil monitoring project, should be used to foster mutual learning and policy transfer. IV.4. EU action and support to promote equality and fight antigypsyism To promote Roma equality by tackling antigypsyism the Commission will support activities promoting positive narratives and Roma role models, combatting negative stereotypes, raising awareness on Roma history and culture, and promoting truth and reconciliation under the citizens, equality, rights and values programme. The Commission will run a joint campaign with UNESCO to tackle disinformation, hate speech and conspiracy theories, including those implicating Roma. It will continue to support the private sector through the EU Platform of Diversity Charters and explore ways of engaging with the media to build positive narratives and promote equality and diversity in all spheres. Building on existing experience , the Commission will develop a series of seminars on racial and ethnic stereotypes, including against Roma, bringing together journalists, civil society organisations and representatives of people with a minority racial or ethnic background. The Commission’s communication activities will advertise the benefits of equality and diversity. The Commission will organise a series of awareness-raising events focusing on Member States with large Roma communities, to fight stereotypes, promote cultural diversity, empower and highlight Roma children, young people and women as role models in diverse communities, and bring communities together.