COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS National Roma Integration Strategies: a first step in the implementation of the EU Framework
Date: 2012-05-21
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, Roma, access to education, distribution of EU funding, housing policy, job access, marginalisation, public health, social integration

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 21.5.2012  
SWD(2012) 133 final 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
Accompanying the document 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

National Roma Integration Strategies: a first step in the implementation of the EU 
Framework 

{COM(2012) 226 final} 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
  
 
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 
Accompanying the document 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

National Roma Integration Strategies: a first step in the implementation of the EU 
Framework 

EN 

2 

   EN 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. 

2. 

2.1. 

2.2. 

2.3. 

2.4. 

2.5. 

2.6. 

2.7. 

2.8. 

2.9. 

Introduction...................................................................................................................4 

Key points from the Commission's assessment of the 27 National 
Roma Integration strategies ..........................................................................................5 
Belgium.........................................................................................................................5 

Bulgaria.........................................................................................................................7 

Czech Republic ...........................................................................................................10 

Denmark......................................................................................................................13 

Germany......................................................................................................................15 

Estonia ........................................................................................................................17 

Ireland .........................................................................................................................19 

Greece .........................................................................................................................21 

Spain ...........................................................................................................................23 

2.10. 

France..........................................................................................................................23 

2.11. 

Italy .............................................................................................................................23 

2.12.  Cyprus.........................................................................................................................23 

2.13. 

Latvia ..........................................................................................................................23 

2.14. 

Lithuania .....................................................................................................................23 

2.15. 

Luxembourg................................................................................................................23 

2.16.  Hungary ......................................................................................................................23 

2.17.  Malta ...........................................................................................................................23 

2.18.  Netherlands .................................................................................................................23 

2.19.  Austria.........................................................................................................................23 

2.20. 

Poland .........................................................................................................................23 

2.21. 

Portugal.......................................................................................................................23 

2.22.  Romania ......................................................................................................................23 

2.23. 

Slovenia ......................................................................................................................23 

2.24. 

Slovakia ......................................................................................................................23 

2.25. 

Finland ........................................................................................................................23 

2.26. 

Sweden........................................................................................................................23 

2.27.  United Kingdom .........................................................................................................23 

EN 

3 

   EN 

 
 
1. 

INTRODUCTION 

All EU Member States were expected to develop or update their national strategies 
according to their different starting points and to the size of Roma population1 living 
on their territories, in line with the requirements laid down in the EU Framework.  

In its assessment the Commission relied on the information provided in the strategies 
and focused on the specific issues highlighted in the EU Framework under the four 
key priority areas. As the aim of the EU Framework is to bring about a change in the 
approach 
from  scattered,  project-based  and  unrelated 
interventions to a comprehensive approach embracing all four key areas through an 
integrated  and  coordinated  effort,  the  assessment  also  examined  whether  such 
strategic thinking could be seen in the strategies. 

to  Roma 

inclusion 

In  addition,  the  assessment  also  covers  the  structural  requirements  specified  in  the 
EU Framework, including the involvement of all important national stakeholders, the 
creation of a robust monitoring system, the appointment of a national contact point, 
ensuring  the  protection  of  fundamental  rights  and  monitoring.  Particular  attention 
was also paid to the use of EU funding and more generally of resources secured so as 
to ensure the effective and sustainable implementation of the strategies.  

The subsequent country specific summaries highlight the key elements and the gaps 
identified by the Commission's assessment for each Member State's strategy. 

1   

The term “Roma” is used here, as well as by a number of international organisations and representatives 
of Roma groups in Europe, to refer to a number of different groups (such as Roma, Sinti, Kale, Gypsies, 
Romanichels,  Boyash,  Ashkali,  Egyptians,  Yenish,  Dom,  Lom)  and  also  includes  Travellers,  without 
denying the specificities and varieties of lifestyles and situations of these groups. 

EN 

4 

   EN 

 
                                                 
2. 

KEY  POINTS  FROM  THE  COMMISSION'S  ASSESSMENT  OF  THE  27  NATIONAL  ROMA 
INTEGRATION STRATEGIES  

2.1. 

Belgium 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

6 March 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

30 000 Roma; 9 250 Travellers 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 30 000 

i.e. 0.29 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Principle  of  equal  and  non-discriminatory 
access to education. 

The  action  plan  requires  more 
information  on 
the  order  of 
magnitude, indicators, monitoring 
and funding at the different levels 
of implementation.  

Provision  of  education  to  every  child  and 
young  person  (6-18  years  old)  from  the 
Roma community, independently of his/her 
the  full 
status,  which  corresponds 
enforcement 
primary 
education in compliance to national law.  

to 
compulsory 

of 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

targeted 

intermediaries 
Measures 
dedicated  to  train,  improve  knowledge  and 
collect information for welfare services.  

at 

Data collection. 

Pilot  project:  "from  migrants  to  middle 
class" (Brussels)  

Indicators  and  data  (e.g.  clear 
description of the baseline etc.) as 
well  as  clear  earmarking  of 
financial  means  should  be  added 
in order to enable monitoring and 
assessing  whether 
the  actions 
meet 
the  objectives.  Attention 
should also be paid to the gender 
issue.  

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

Further  work  is  needed  to  clarify 
goals,  how  progress  will  be 
to  develop  an 
evaluated  and 

EN 

5 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
action 
measures. 

plan  with 

detailed 

Ensuring Roma have accessible, quality and 
sustainable  healthcare  services,  mainly 
using existing services. 

Pilot  project  focused  upon  the  provision  of 
healthcare  services  to  Roma  patients  in  the 
area of Sint-Niklaas. 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

Housing  policy  (for  Roma  and  other  target 
groups) aiming at increasing the availability 
of  good  and  appropriate  housing,  for  an 
accessible price. 

Development of halting sites by the Flemish 
authorities  to  use  as  caravan  camps  by  the 
local authorities or social housing agencies.  

Cohesion 
financial 
policy 
instruments  could  contribute  to 
social  housing  in  the  framework 
of  an  integrated  approach.  Local 
plans  should  also  be  taken  into 
strategy, 
account 
particularly 
plans 
implemented  through  urban  type 
of interventions. 

the 
those 

by 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

the 
A  "Council  for 
Travellers"  will  be  established  by  the 
federal government.  

the  Roma  and 

the 
Details  on 
funding  of 
the 
the 
proposed  action  plans  by 
levels 
different  decision-making 
should be included. Monitoring and 
evaluation  mechanisms  should  be 
specified in the strategy. 

A  special  "Roma  Helpdesk"  will  be 
established within the federal ministry for 
social integration  

Implementation  of  the  national  strategy 
will  be  monitored  on  an  annual  basis 
through  a  working  group/committee 
gathering  representatives  of  the  various 
instances.  

EN 

6 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2.2. 

Bulgaria 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

24 January 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

325  343  (January  2011  census),  i.e.  4.9%  of 
the population 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 750 000 

i.e. 10.33 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

School  dropout  correctly  identified  as  a 
key problem that needs to be addressed. 

Focal  and  whole  day  schools,  where 
children 
and 
extracurricular activities. 

a  meal 

receive 

Training of teachers on multiculturalism. 

Measures to step up parental involvement.

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements:  

Training  courses  for  the  unemployed,  for 
labour  office  staff  on  the  Roma,  on 
entrepreneurship and management. 

Subsidised  employment  for  vulnerable 
groups. 

Appointment  of  Roma  representatives  in 
the  employment  agencies  in  regions  with 
predominant Roma population. 

more 

Indicators 

Segregation 
in  primary  and 
secondary  education  could  have 
appropriately 
been 
attention 
addressed.  More 
to  higher 
should  be  paid 
education. 
are 
mentioned,  but  goals  are  not 
quantified.  The  scope  of 
the 
envisaged  intervention  is  limited 
by 
funding. 
planned 
Monitoring  and  data  collection 
on  the  share  of  Roma  within 
overall  early  school 
leavers 
would be necessary. 

the 

been 

More measures to improve Roma 
employment in rural areas could 
have 
envisaged. 
Effectiveness  of  public  works 
provide 
programmes 
(re)qualification  and 
to 
lead 
sustainable  employment  should 
Appropriate 
be 
funding  (both  national  and  EU 
should be indicated. 

examined. 

to 

EN 

7 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

Focus  on  increase  of  qualified  Roma  in 
the  healthcare  system,  promotion  of 
health mediators and mobile health units. 

Family planning support. 

Immunisation campaigns. 

Information campaigns. 

Training 
professionals on the Roma culture. 

informing 

and 

health 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

Pilot  initiative  for  building  new  social 
housing  in  four  Bulgarian  municipalities, 
operational 
launched 
programme for regional development. 

under 

the 

Understanding  of  the  existing  problems, 
willingness to solve them and interest for 
Roma inclusion from local authorities. 

The  lack  of  health  insurance 
coverage  is  a  key  problem  for  a 
large  percentage  of  the  Roma 
population  and  needs 
to  be 
addressed  in  more  detail.  Other 
include 
further  work  should 
development 
preventive 
of 
services including immunisation, 
living 
healthy 
creating 
integrated 
conditions  via  an 
approach 
social 
assistance. More work is needed 
on 
to 
monitor health needs and  health 
outcomes of Roma.  

information 

including 

systems 

Registration 
authorities is necessary.  

with 

public 

to  make 

The  quantification  of  the  scope 
of  actions  should  be  developed 
and be supported by appropriate 
funding.  Municipalities 
are 
expected 
needs 
assessments  and  prepare  action 
plans for the improvement of the 
housing conditions of Roma, but 
no measure is specified in order 
to ensure deliver. Desegregation 
in  housing  should  be  addressed 
along  with  desegregation 
in 
labour  market 
education  and 
integration. 

EN 

8 

   EN 

 
 
 
Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

in 

The strategy acknowledges the key role of 
municipalities 
implementation: 
the 
municipalities  will  have  to  adopt  annual 
action  plans 
the 
activities planned in the strategy. 

implementing 

for 

Further  consultation  with 
respective 
bodies  implementing  the  Action  Plan  is 
foreseen. 

The  consultation  and  dialogue  with  civil 
society  organisations  on  the  preparation 
of the strategy was of high quality. 

A  territorial  approach  to  Roma 
integration could be particularly 
relevant,  in  to  the  light  of  the 
uneven  spread  of 
the  Roma 
population  on  the  territory  and 
the  fact  that  local  authorities 
for  a 
have 
the  competence 
number 
support 
measures.  Appropriate  funding 
for  local  authorities  needs  to  be 
ensured. 

social 

of 

In  the  light  of  the  considerable 
reliance  on  Structural  Funds  to 
support  projects  addressing  the 
identified priorities, a significant 
improvement  of  the  absorption 
capacity should be a priority. 

The  strategy  does  not  make 
reference 
to  any  potential 
contribution  of  the  European 
for  Rural 
Agricultural  Fund 
Development (EAFRD). 

EN 

9 

   EN 

 
 
2.3. 

Czech Republic 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

19 January 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 150 000 - 200 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 250 000 

i.e. 1.93 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

to  pre-school 
Increasing  accessibility 
education  and  early  care  services  in 
socially excluded Roma localities. 

Improving  the  process  of  diagnosing  the 
special educational needs of Roma pupils. 

Supporting teaching assistants. 

concrete 

targets  and 
More 
corresponding  measures  are 
needed  on  how 
tackle 
segregation of  Roma children in 
system.  An 
the  educational 
integrated  approach 
is  also 
necessary.  

to 

Roma 

children 

Supporting 
from 
elementary  schools  when  transferring  to 
the  secondary  and 
tertiary  education 
systems. 

Full day schools.  

Life-long-learning  on  key  skills  and 
literacy. 

Developing  models 
education. 

for 

inclusive 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements:  

Reform of public employment services in 
favour  of  disadvantaged  Roma 
job 
applicants. 

Building  the  capacity  of  social  services 
in  socially  excluded  Roma 
providers 

Developing  more 
concrete 
measures  in  the  area  of  social 
economy  and  integration  into 
open  labour  market  would  be 
needed.  Reform  of  the  public 
employment  service  should  be 
complemented by accessible and 
targeted  social  services  of  high 
self-
quality. 

Support 

for 

EN 

10 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Roma 

employment 
by 
of 
microcredit  schemes  would  be 
beneficial.  Focus  on  effective 
grant  policy  for  implementing 
the measures would be relevant. 

localities. 

Supporting social businesses. 

Offering 
requalification  courses  and 
individual  professional  counselling  on 
starting up a business. 

Fighting against illegal employment. 

Building  financial  literacy  of  Roma  in 
socially excluded Roma localities. 

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

Includes  support  for  a      programme  of 
health 
socially 
social  assistants 
excluded Roma localities. 

in 

Improving  the  communication  between 
the  members  of  Roma  communities  and 
the medical personnel. 

Awareness  raising  on  health  and  healthy 
lifestyle.  

could 

strategy 

care  and 
the 

The 
be 
significantly  improved  through 
to  address 
further  measures 
healthcare, 
accessibility 
of 
preventive 
social 
of 
services; 
measurable  targets;  a  clearer 
timeframe  for  implementation;  a 
clearer  financial  allocation  and 
information  systems  to  monitor 
health 
health 
outcomes of Roma.  

inclusion 

needs 

and 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

Revitalisation  of  socially  excluded  Roma 
localities  via  integrated  urban  development 
plans. 

Increase  access  to  social  housing  for  Roma 
households with low incomes. 

of 

Reduction 
discrimination 
applied to Roma in the housing market. 

of 
and  unlawful  practices 

incidence 

the 

Prevention of the loss of accommodation by 
socially  excluded  members  of  Roma 
communities as a result of rental arrears. 

The  strategy  could  be  further 
improved 
concrete 
by 
to  provide  non-
measures 
discriminatory 
to 
access 
good 
including 
housing, 
quality social housing. 

should 

implementation 

of 
The 
measures 
be 
underpinned  by  legal  steps  in 
the area of protection of Roma 
households  against  unlawful 
practices 
the  property 
market.  

in 

EN 

11 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

All goals fit the national context. 

attention 

Special 
to 
indebtedness  and  security  of  Roma  as 
well as culture and language. 

also  paid 

is 

The  cooperation  between 
the  central 
government  and  regional  authorities  is 
foreseen. 

a 
the 

The  strategy  would  be  more 
detailed 
precise 
with 
timeframe, 
description  of 
monitoring 
evaluation 
and 
system.  The  sustainability  of  EU 
funded measures requires further 
attention. 
attention 
Specific 
should  also  be  devoted  to  an 
and 
integrated 
cooperation  and  involvement  of 
civil society. 

approach 

EN 

12 

   EN 

 
 
2.4. 

Denmark 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

30 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 2 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 5 500 

i.e. 0.10 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements:  

In  general  terms,  acknowledgement  of 
the  importance  of  education  for  the 
integration  of  disadvantaged  groups, 
such as the Roma. 

Identification  of 
lower  educational 
achievements  and  school  drop-out  as 
the main challenges for Roma people. 

Recognition  of 
previous local experiences. 

lessons 

learnt  from 

problems 

of 
integration 

school 
Key 
absenteeism, 
into 
mainstream  classes  and  language 
barriers are well identified. 

Measuring the impact of the equal 
the 
treatment 
approach 
is 
situation  of  Roma  people 
necessary.  

on 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements:  

Focus on the local level and recognition 
of  lessons  learnt  from  previous  past 
experiences. 

Acknowledgement  of 
language barriers. 

the  possible 

Measuring the impact of the equal 
the 
approach 
treatment 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary.  

on 

EN 

13 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Health 

The  system  in  place  is  designed  to 
respond  to  health  needs  of  persons  in 
disadvantaged  situations,  including  the 
Roma. 

Measuring the impact of the equal 
the 
treatment 
approach 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary.  

on 

Housing 

All  those  legally  residing  in  Denmark 
have  equal  access  to  a  large  social 
housing  sector  and  to  financial  support 
for rent. 

Measuring the impact of the equal 
the 
approach 
treatment 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary. 

on 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Stakeholders  have  been  consulted  on  the 
preparation  of  the  strategy  and  the  fact 
that 
dialogue  with 
stakeholders  will  be  relevant  for  the  next 
steps is acknowledged. 

continuous 

a 

A  strong  attention  is  put  to  the  efforts 
level  and 
the  municipal 
needed  at 
dissemination  of  knowledge  and  best 
practices at the local level is foreseen. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
robust 
for 
necessary 
monitoring.  

a 

cooperation 

 Stronger 
and 
support to the local actors would 
be necessary.   

EN 

14 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
2.5. 

Germany 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

23 December 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately  70  000  (including  only 
German Sinti and Roma, not other EU or 
non-EU nationals) 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 105 000 

i.e. 0.13 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Sinti  and  Roma 
people is necessary. 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

A basic right to education, on the basis of 
the  principle  of  equal  treatment  ensures 
non-discriminatory access to  education  to 
all, including Sinti and Roma.  

Programmes  improving  the  integration  of 
the 
disadvantaged 
education  system.  Sinti  and  Roma  have 
access  to  the  programmes  offered  on  a 
non-discriminatory basis. 

groups  within 

General  measures  supporting  individual 
learning  available  to  all  pupils,  in  some 
(at 
Länder 
project level) for Sinti and Roma. 

targeted  specific  support 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Sinti  and  Roma  is 
necessary 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

the  general  worker-
Support  under 
focussed  integration  concept  available  to 
all  Sinti  and  Roma  (including  profiling 
focussing  on  the  individual’s  strengths 
and  potential,  objective  setting,  strategy 
development  and  implementation/follow-
up).  

Problem-oriented, 

tailored 

support 

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Health 

measures at Land level. 

Access 
to  healthcare  and  prevention 
services is available to all ensured people 
(provision of healthcare conditioned to the 
obligation to be registered within a health 
insurance scheme). In accordance with the 
Asylum  Seeker  Benefits  Act  healthcare 
and  prevention  services  are  available  to 
foreign Roma with the status of ‘tolerated 
their  special 
persons’  on  account  of 
residence status.  

Specific  advice  centres  are  available  for 
Sinti and Roma in several Länder, funded 
partly  by  the  Länder,  to  facilitate  the 
access to health care and other services. 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

No  differentiation  in  housing  provisions 
on the basis of ethnic origin.  

Particular  attention  paid  to  the  needs  of 
Sinti  and  Roma  in  some  towns  and  cities 
in  the  context  of  housing  and  \urban 
development policy.  

Social  housing  support  provided  to  all 
disadvantaged, including Sinti and Roma, 
regardless of nationality or ethnic origin. 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Civil society organisations were consulted 
in the design of the strategy. Monitoring is 
established  in  the  context  of  the  Council 
of  Europe’s  Framework  Convention  on 
the  Protection  of  National  Minorities 
(FCNM), 
the  European  Commission 
against  Racism  and  Intolerance  (ECRI) 
and 
the 
Discrimination of Races (CERD), but not 
at national level. 

the  Committee 

against 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Sinti  and  Roma  is 
necessary. 

 Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
specific  situation  of  Sinti  and 
Roma is necessary. ,  

policy 

The  opportunity  offered  by  the 
cohesion 
instruments 
concerning social housing in the 
integrated 
framework  of  an 
approach should be considered. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
specific  situation  of  Sinti  and 
robust 
requires 
Roma 
monitoring at national level. 

a 

EN 

16 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2.6. 

Estonia 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

22 December 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 600-1 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 1 250 

i.e. 0.10 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Exchanges  of  best  practices  among 
schools. 

In-service  training  of  school  staff  on 
Roma culture. 

Support to learning the Romani language. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation of Roma is necessary. 

Employment  Measures 

are 
mainstream political frame.  

included  within 

the 

Roma  have  the  right  to  access  labour 
market  services  and  benefits  as  all  other 
permanent resident in Estonia. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation of Roma is necessary. 

Health 

A  link  has  been  established  between  the 
socio-economic  situation  of  Roma  and 
their access to healthcare.  

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation of Roma is necessary. 

Housing 

The main responsibility lies in the hand of 
local authorities. 

to 

Support  measures 
local 
authorities  in  the  planning  and 
delivery 
housing 
interventions,  as  part  of  an 
integrated  approach,  would  be 
needed. 

social 

of 

EN 

17 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

refers 

The  strategy 
to  nine  Roma 
associations  and  cooperation  and  active 
dialogue  are  ongoing  with  some  of  the 
local associations. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary.  

EN 

18 

   EN 

 
 
2.7. 

Ireland 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

31 January 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately  22  435  Travellers  and 
3 000 Roma 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 37 500 

i.e. 0.90 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Strong  existing  approach  of  intercultural 
education,  where  the  specific  needs  of 
Travellers  and  Roma  are  dealt  with  on 
same  basis  as  of  needs  of  all  other 
students. 

Some local examples of support to Roma 
adult education and Roma mediators. 

Specific and sizeable funding allocated in 
2008, 2009 and 2010 for the education of 
the Traveller community. 

should 

approach 

The 
be 
integrated  with  interventions  in 
  Detailing  a 
other  sectors. 
indicators, 
calendar, 
and  budget  will  secure 
the 
implementation of the strategy. It 
would  be  important  to  address 
the issue of early school leaving 

targets, 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements: 

Local  initiatives  to  enhance  employment 
and enterprise support to Travellers.  

Provisions  for  an  internship  programme 
in the Civil service. 

Scaling up initiatives, detailing a 
calendar, 
indicators, 
targets, 
and budget are needed to secure 
the effective implementation.  

EN 

19 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
specific 

The 
challenges  met 
regarding  health 
better described. 

situation 

and 
by  Roma 
should  be 

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Considerable work undertaken in the area 
of  Traveller  health.  A  wide  range  of 
specific 
health 
Traveller-dedicated 
services. 

Strong  dialogue  mechanisms  between 
Ministry of Health or health services and 
Travellers. 

Analysis  of  health  situation  of  travellers 
well  described  in  "All  Ireland  Traveller 
Health Study".  

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

A long-term approach is missing. 

2009-2013  Traveller 
accommodation 
programme  adopted  by  local  authorities 
that  defines  annual  targets  and  foresees 
annual reports. 

Traveller  accommodation  consultative 
committees  both  at  local  and  national 
levels. 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  role  of  local  and  regional  authorities 
is  very  much  highlighted 
the 
implementation of measures, especially in 
the housing sector. 

in 

to 

improve 

Measures 
consultation 
engagement 
Travellers would be needed. 

of  Roma 

the 
political 
and 

and 

The  monitoring  system  is  detailed  for 
each policy areas. 

planning  with 

A 
financial 
resources  for  incoming  years 
should be included. 

EN 

20 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
2.8. 

Greece 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

30 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 50 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 265 000 

i.e. 2.47 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy. 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Focus  on  desegregation  and 
applying an integrated approach 
would  be  necessary.  There  is 
full 
to 
also  need 
compulsory 
education, 
strengthen  learning  support  and 
fight prejudices. 

enforce 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Reduction of early drop outs at all levels 
of education; reduction of adult illiteracy. 

Supporting  participation  of  Roma  in  pre-
school education. 

Systemic  monitoring  of  enrolment  and 
attendance  of  Roma  children 
in  all 
compulsory education. 

Providing 
rights. 

information  on 

children's 

Employment  Local 

targeted 

promote 
employment  and  business  activities  in 
line with the assessment of local needs. 

actions 

is 
integrated  approach 
An 
necessary to address the issue of 
Roma  employment. 
  Further 
locally focused interventions and 
are 
tailor-made 
necessary. 

support 

experience 

A  combination  of  training  and 
should  be 
work 
favoured  in  line  with  general 
measures 
youth 
to 
unemployment. 

fight 

EN 

21 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements 

Improving  accessibility  of  Roma  to  the 
to 
system 
national  healthcare 
preventive primary healthcare. 

and 

Improving  the  health  of  Roma  women 
and children. 

budget 

Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators, 
and 
monitoring are needed to secure 
the  efficient  implementation  of 
the strategy.  

Commitment  made  to  ensure  adequate 
housing 
sanitary 
conditions  which  are  linked  with  health 
status. 

including 

good 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Making  use  of  ERDF 
interventions. 

for  housing 

Resettlement  of  Roma  living  in  illegal 
settlements. 

Ensuring  minimum  satisfactory 
conditions. 

living 

Concrete  measures  to  provide 
non-discriminatory  access 
to 
housing  are  needed.  Detailing  a 
calendar, 
indicators, 
targets, 
budget  and  monitoring  are 
needed  to  secure  the  efficient 
implementation of the strategy. 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  description  of  challenges  under each 
policy  area  is  rather  brief,  but  accurate 
and corresponds to the national context.  

Roma  civil  society  should  be 
meaningfully 
the 
in 
process of Roma inclusion.  

involved 

The  cooperation  with  regional  and  local 
authorities is foreseen in the future. 

The  necessity  for  a  strong  monitoring 
system was recognized and such a system 
is currently designed. 

Specific  attention  should  be 
devoted  to  most  disadvantaged 
regions. 

Mainstream  policies  should  also 
cater for the specific needs of the 
Roma.  

There is no specific reference to 
the  use  of  EAFRD  or  to  rural 
areas.  However,  opportunities 
for the Roma population in rural 
areas could be further enhanced 
by the Greek Rural Development 
Programme. 

EN 

22 

   EN 

 
 
 
2.9. 

Spain 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

2 March 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 750 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 725 000, 

i.e. 1.57% of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

relevant 

Difficulties  of  defining  adapted 
and 
indicators  are 
acknowledged  and  addressed  as 
problems to be solved. 

Education 

The  sound  strategy  includes  in  particular 
the following positive elements: 

Overall  accurate  depiction  (supported  by 
data)  of  the  problems  faced  by  Roma 
communities  which 
inspire  ambitious 
policies. 

Goal  of  increasing  the  proportion  of 
Roma  girls  and  boys  that  have  attended 
pre-school  prior 
their  compulsory 
to 
school 
and 
schooling 
completion  of  Roma  girls  and  boys  in 
primary education.  

increasing 

Reduction  of  absenteeism  in  primary 
education  and  of  early  school  leavers 
prior to 16. 

Increase  of  completion  of  compulsory 
secondary  education  and 
in 
academic success of Roma pupils. 

increase 

Reduction of illiteracy. 

Employment  The  sound  strategy  includes  in  particular 

the following positive elements: 

Employment  measures  should  be 
reinforced by allocation of funding. 

Improvement  of  access  to  normalised 
employment 
job 
and 
precariousness among the Roma. 

reduction  of 

Measures targeting in particular 
young  Roma 
should  be  a 
priority.  

Improvement 

of 

professional 

EN 

23 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
qualifications of Roma.  

Health 

The  sound  strategy  includes  in  particular 
the following positive elements: 

The  strategy  could  be 
further 
improved in respect of the financial 
allocations. 

Comprehensive strategy for improvement 
of  Roma  health  and  reduction  of  social 
inequalities 
through 
interventions  in  the  adult  population  and 
among children.  

healthcare 

in 

Reorientation of health services to reduce 
health inequalities. 

Clear, achievable targets and timelines set 
up on very concrete situations (i.e. traffic 
accidents,  obesity,  smoking  etc.  with  a 
specific focus on Roma women. 

Focus on health of Roma immigrants. 

Comprehensive  Action  Plan 
the 
development  of  the  Roma  population  in 
place  with  focus  on  improving  health  of 
Roma. 

for 

Housing 

Clear  short  and  mid  terms  reachable 
objectives,  mainly  on 
two  aspects: 
eradication  of  slums  and  sub-standard 
housing; improvement of accommodation 
quality for Roma. 

budget 

Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators, 
and 
monitoring are needed to secure 
the  efficient  implementation  of 
the  strategy.  The  use  of  the 
structural  funds  to  support  the 
planning  and  implementation  of 
social 
be 
considered.  

housing 

should 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Consultation  on  the  strategy  has  taken 
place at horizontal level with the relevant 
autonomous 
and  with 
Ministries 
communities, 
of 
the 
Municipalities  and  Provinces,  and  civil 
society organisations. 

Federation 

Strong  political  will  to  further  improve 

strategy 

The 
should  better 
identify  funding  including  from 
structural  funds  and  from  the 
European  Agricultural  Fund  for 
Rural Development (EAFRD).  

EN 

24 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
collaboration among the various decision-
making  levels,  especially  as  regards  a 
coordinated  effort  to  make  better  use  of 
EU Funds.  

Balance  between  universal  and  targeted 
policies  and  the  reliance  on  mid-  and 
long-term indicators and goals. 

the  ERDF 

the  use  of 

Boosting 
in 
accordance  with  the  possibilities  offered 
by  Article  7.2  of 
regulations 
(reconstruction of housing and eradication 
of segregated settlements).  

its 

The  involvement  of  social  agents  and 
partners  (Roma  organizations  and  the 
Social Third Sector) is foreseen. 

EN 

25 

   EN 

 
 
2.10. 

France 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

8 February 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

(no estimate) 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 400 000 

i.e. 0.21 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Principle of equal and non-discriminatory 
access to education. 

Innovative pilot programs to fight against 
school  drop-out  and  promote 
early 
secondary  education  of  disadvantaged 
pupils. 

Attempts  to  respond  to  the  needs  of 
traveller  children  (coordinator  in  charge 
of  bringing  together  the  various  services, 
mobile schools, distant learning).  

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Fight against long-term unemployment in 
the  scope  of  general  measures,  not 
targeted at the Roma. 

Support  to  Association  pour  le  Droit  à 
to 
l'Initiative  Economique 
develop 
to 
Travellers. 

in  order 
its  action  on  microcredit 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation of Travellers and Roma 
is necessary. 

in 

Actions 
childhood 
early 
education  could  be  intensified 
using also experiences from pilot 
programs.  

Better  integration  of  the  regular 
school  system  with  distance 
learning  could 
the 
effectiveness of the measures. 

improve 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation of Travellers and Roma 
is necessary.  

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Support  to  NGOs  working  at  local  level 
raising  awareness 
on  mediation  and 
programmes. 

Regional  programme  giving  access  to 
the  preventive 
health  care  (including 
for  disadvantage  groups, 
healthcare) 
targeting  women 
in 
particular. 

children 

and 

 Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation of Travellers and Roma 
is necessary. 

Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators, and budget is needed 
to 
efficient 
implementation of the strategy. 

secure 

the 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Presented  measures  are  building  on 
legal  basis  (Droit  au 
existing  solid 
Logement  Opposable,  Law  of  31  May 
2011, Law of 5 July 2000, etc.). 

Specific measures addressed the needs of 
travellers  but  no  real  national  strategy 
concerning  migrant  Roma  (mainly  local 
initiatives). 

Acknowledgement 
approach is needed. 

that  an 

integrated 

Strong mobilisation of local actors. 

Consultation  of  civil  society  and  local 
authorities  via  the  Conseil  National  des 
politiques  de  lutte  contre  la  pauvreté  et 
l'exclusion  sociale  and  the  Commission 
Nationale  Consultative  des  Gens  du 
Voyage. 

fundamental 

Reinforcement  of 
rights 
(fighting  human  trafficking,  combating 
discrimination) is taken into consideration 
within an individual chapter. 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators, and budget is needed 
to  secure  the  implementation  of 
the strategy.  

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation of Travellers and Roma 
is necessary. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation of Travellers and Roma 
requires  a  robust  monitoring. 
Stronger  cooperation  with  the 
local actors and the civil society 
is recommended.  

EN 

27 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
2.11. 

Italy 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

29 February 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 130 000 – 150 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 140 000 

i.e. 0.23% of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

The  goals  are  ambitious  and 
realistic. 
proposed 
The 
measures  should  be  reinforced 
quantitative 
with 
targets and identification of the 
necessary resources.  

precise 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Goal  to  ensure  education  to  all  Roma 
children, 
non-discriminatory 
access  to  education  and  tackle  early  school 
leaving of Roma. 

promote 

Incentive  (e.g.  scholarships)  to  improve 
participation of Roma in higher education. 

Support to cooperation between educational 
institutions, extra-school services and Roma 
communities and families. 

Some measures focused on the education of 
young  mothers  (completion  of  compulsory 
education). 

The  proposed  measures  are 
lacking  precise  quantitative 
targets  and  quantification  of 
necessary  resources.  The  lack 
of  figures  and  indicators  will 
make it difficult to monitor. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Non-discriminatory 
courses. 

access 

to 

training 

Develop  the  micro-credit  actions  through 
the use of ESF. 

Monitor  the  situation  of  the  undeclared 
work. 

Reinforce the efficiency of the local Public 
Employment Services. 

EN 

28 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Promotion of the self-employment. 

Support  the  transition  from  school  to  work 
helping  directly  Roma  families,  promote 
active  labour  policies  to  include  Roma 
women in the labour market. 

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Reinforcement of existing projects aimed to 
monitor the health situation of Roma. 

A  vaccination  campaign  will  be  developed 
for Roma families. 

Further  and  stronger  health  monitoring  for 
women. 

Inclusion  of  qualified  Roma 
services and medical programmes. 

in  social 

by 

reinforced 

The  proposed  measures  should 
precise 
be 
targets, 
quantitative 
quantification  of  necessary 
resources  and 
setting  up 
concrete timeframes. 

is 

The quantification of financial 
to 
resources 
determine  as  there  are  no 
quantitative  targets  for  future 
actions. 

difficult 

Housing 

The  strategy 
following positive elements: 

includes 

in  particular 

the 

Development of local policies to provide safe 
housing  to  Roma  communities,  build  new 
accommodations  for  disadvantaged  groups, 
promote micro-credit, monitor social housing 
measures, etc. 

The  financial  framework  presented  is  based 
on  EU  structural 
resources 
provided at national, regional and local level. 

funds  and 

Clear and strong position against the "system 
of  camps"  (recognised  as  an  unsuitable 
arrangement  in  terms  of  desegregation  and 
social exclusion). 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  strategy  shows  efforts  to  solve  the 
legal status of Roma from the Balkans and 
to  recognise  Roma,  Sinti  and  Caminanti 
as  ethnic  minorities.  Pilot  projects  have 
been  ongoing  in  2012-2013  in  some  key 
regions to test the whole new governance 

Identification  of  quantitative 
targets,  indicators,  and  funding 
should  be 
further  developed. 
This  process  is  left  to  working 
groups that should develop these 
aspects in 2012-2013.  

EN 

29 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
and 
robust  monitoring 
A 
evaluation  methodology  would 
further improve the strategy. 

system  in  view  of  replicating/adapting  it 
in 2014-2020 to other regions. 

representatives 

National 
of  Roma 
communities,  the  national  conference  of 
regions,  the  national  associations  of  sub-
regional  authorities  (i.e.  provinces  and 
municipalities)  and  a  number  of  relevant 
ministries  participated  in  the  preparation 
of the strategy. 

Actions are planned to experiment models 
of  stronger  participation  of  Roma  to 
decision-making processes. 

EN 

30 

   EN 

 
2.12.  Cyprus 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

25 January 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately  650  -  700  (government 
controlled area) 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 1 250 

i.e. 0.16% of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

The impact of policies should be 
monitored.  

Free and accessible education to all.  

Compulsory  primary  and 
secondary 
education, provided free of charge by the 
Government. 

Additional  funding  for  schools  in  Zones 
of Educational Priority. 

teachers 

Bilingual 
facilitate 
communication  between  teachers,  pupils 
and parents. 

to 

Breakfast and lunch provided to all pupils 
in need. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements:  

The impact of policies should be 
monitored.  

Free access to the labour market, equal to 
that of all Cypriot citizens and support by 
the  Public  Employment  Services 
in 
finding employment. 

educational 

language 
Promotion  of 
programmes 
for  non-Greek  speaking 
adults  by  the  Ministry  of  Education  & 
Culture  and  by  multifunctional  centres 
the  Municipalities  of 
operated  by 
Limassol and Nicosia.  

EN 

31 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

The impact of policies should be 
monitored. 

Access  to  public  healthcare  provided  to 
all,  regardless  their  residence  or  legal 
status, and guaranteed by law.  

Reduced  fees  of  free  healthcare  provided 
(based  on 
for  disadvantaged  groups 
criteria 
income, 
as 
employment status and residential status). 

family 

such 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Repairs/improvements 
to  20  Turkish-
Cypriot  houses  inhabited  by  Roma  in 
Limassol  district  and  to  25  Turkish-
Cypriot houses in Paphos district. 

Two  housing  projects  for  Cypriot  Roma 
(16 and 24 prefabricated housing units). 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Involvement  to  some  extent  of  local 
authorities,  professionals  (e.g.  teachers) 
and civil society organisations.  

More attention should be paid to 
involving all stakeholders.  

EN 

32 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
2.13.  Latvia 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

14 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

8 517 Roma people in July 2011 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 14 500  

i.e. 0.65 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

More  attention  to  early  childhood 
education,  and  adult  education 
would have been relevant.  

Data  used  in  the  strategy  should 
be updated. 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

The  policy  document  sets  the  goal  for 
“an  effective  system  in  place  for  the 
inclusion  of  Roma  children  in  general 
education schools" by 2018.  

Combination  of  mainstreamed  and 
targeted measures. 

Roma mediators. 

Teacher support. 

Education seminars for Roma families. 

Exchanges of good practice. 

Good  description  of  the  situation  of 
Roma people. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements: 

The  local  and  regional  authorities 
should be involved.  

Emphasis  on  research 
support evidence-based policies. 

in  order 

to 

Promotion  of  dialogue  between  Roma, 
NGOs and employers. 

Support  for  groups  at  risk  of  social 
exclusion. 

Measures  should  be  foreseen  to 
facilitate 
self-
registered 
employment of the Roma. 

Data  used  in  the  strategy  should  be 
updated. 

EN 

33 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Health 

Research  foreseen  in  order  to  collect 
data to support evidence-based policies. 

Data  used  in  the  strategy  should 
be updated.   

Measuring the impact of the equal 
the 
treatment 
approach 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary. 

on 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Presentation of information on the basis 
of  various  sources  on  the  housing 
situation of Roma people.  

the 

socio-
study  on 
Forthcoming 
economic  situation  of  Roma  people  in 
Latvia, 
foreseen 
reflection  on  the  need  to  amend  the 
existing  legislation  regulating  housing 
assistance to Roma people. 

followed  by 

a 

of 

involvement 

local 
The 
authorities should be strengthened, 
in  particular  in  relation  to  social 
housing.  

Data  used  in  the  strategy  should 
be updated 

local 
training  within 
Foreseen 
authorities  dealing  with  Roma  people 
on housing issues. 

the 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

and 

Local  and  regional  authorities  have  been 
consulted 
activities 
regional 
(seminars, 
coordinators)  are  foreseen  to  maintain 
dialogue with stakeholders. 

follow-up 
of 

network 

Clearer  allocation  of 
would 
further 
strategy. 

improve 

funding 
the 

Civil  society  has  been  consulted  and 
public  debates  have  taken  place  in  the 
drafting  phase.  Strengthening  the  civil 
society capacity is foreseen. 

A  dynamic  monitoring  mechanism  is 
planned including a consultative board for 
the  coordination  of  the  implementation 
and regular reports and surveys. 

Measures  to  fight  against  discrimination 
and support Roma culture are indicated. 

EN 

34 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2.14.  Lithuania 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

21 March 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

(no estimate) 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 3 000 

i.e. 0.08 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

There  is  no  plan  beyond  2014.  
Attention 
childhood 
education should be addressed. 

early 

to 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Non-formal education/cultural activities 
for Roma children. 

Educational 
for  Roma 
activities 
children in the Roma community centre. 

Foreseen research in order to get sound 
picture  of  the  integration  of  Roma  into 
the educational system.  

Adult education measures for Roma. 

Roma mediators. 

Language and IT courses for Roma. 

Teacher  training  and  teaching  material 
on Roma history and culture. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements: 

Disseminate  information  about  active 
labour market policy measures. 

Projects  supported  by  EU  structural 
funds assisting Roma getting integrated 
in the labour market. 

There  is  no  plan  beyond  2014.  As 
Roma  women  are  recognised  as 
particularly  vulnerable,  specific 
attention to them should be paid. 

EN 

35 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

One event on healthy lifestyle organised 
in Vilnius. 

Training for Roma women and girls on 
hygiene. 

There  is  no  specific  goal  in  the 
health  sector  and  no  plan  beyond 
2014.  The  specific  situation  and 
challenges  met  by  Roma  in  health 
are  not  described,  e.g.  as  regards 
access 
insurance. 
health 
Foreseen  measures  are  pilot 
initiatives only. 

to 

The  situation  of  Roma  in  housing 
is  not  described  although  census 
data  are  available.  The  effective 
access to housing of  Roma  should 
be  monitored,  in  order  to  make 
sure that their needs are met. 

Housing 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Stronger  cooperation  with  the 
local actors and the civil society 
is  recommended.  An  integrated 
approach  (also  paying  attention 
to the issue of housing) of Roma 
inclusion is needed. 

Setting  up  a  robust  monitoring 
system would be necessary. 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Activities to raise awareness of Roma on 
their  rights  and  promote  tolerance  and 
increase intercultural dialogue. 

Measures 
to  promote  Roma  culture 
(events,  Children  Day  Centres,  research 
on  and  support  of  Roma  history  and 
folklore). 

The  submitted  strategy  contains  a  sound 
action  plan,  detailing  a  calendar  and 
funding (amounts and sources). 

Quantified  indicators  to  monitor  progress 
on the goals are fixed. 

intergovernmental  working  group 
The 
established  under  the  Ministry  of  culture 
is responsible for monitoring process. 

Responsibilities  of  implementation  are 
clearly  divided  among 
relevant 
ministries and institutions. 

the 

EN 

36 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
2.15.  Luxembourg 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

14 January 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

no estimate  

Council of Europe estimates approximately 300 

i.e. 0.06 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary. 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

The principle of equal treatment and non-
discrimination applies. 

School  attendance  obligatory  for  all 
their 
resident  youth, 
nationality,  mother  tongue,  and  parents' 
legal status.  

regardless  of 

Projects  aimed  at  providing  assistance 
and  support  to  children  newly  arrived  in 
Luxembourg and not speaking any of the 
official languages of this Member State. 

Employment  Equal 

access 

is 
to 
guaranteed  in  compliance  with  EU  and 
constitutional law. 

employment 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary. 

Health 

Equal  access  to  the  social  protection 
system  is  guaranteed  for  all  persons 
legally resident on the national territory. 

A  high  level  of  health  protection  and 
mandatory health and maternity insurance 
system is in place. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary. 

EN 

37 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Housing 

Local  authorities  provide,  as  far  as 
possible,  housing  for  all  persons  legally 
residing  within  their  territory.  Financial 
incentives in this respect provided. 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

la  discrimination 

A special body (Comité pour l'élimination 
de 
raciale  CERD) 
gathering  independent  experts  has  been 
set to supervise the implementation of the 
international convention on elimination of 
all forms of racial discrimination. 

EN 

38 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2.16.  Hungary 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

6 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 750 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 700 000 

i.e. 7.05 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  sound  strategy  includes  in  particular 
the following positive elements: 

Compulsory pre-school participation from 
3 years of age. 

After-school programmes. 

Second chance schools. 

Mediators. 

School meals. 

Employment  The  sound  strategy  includes  in  particular 

the following positive elements: 

on 

very 

clear 

vision 

raising 
A 
employment  in  a  systematic  way,  based 
on  3  pillars  (integration  into  open  and 
legal labour market; through active labour 
market  policies;  social  economy;  and 
public  employment  schemes  for  the  most 
disadvantaged). 

Specific  attention  to  job  creation  in  rural 
areas, mainly in the agricultural sector. 

that 

education 

More  focus  on  desegregation, 
integrated 
and 
mainstream 
ensuring 
the 
to 
policies  also  respond 
specific  needs  of  Roma  could 
further  improve  this  part  of  the 
strategy. 

More  focus  on  reintegration  to 
labour  market, 
the 
open 
developing 
concrete 
more 
measures  in  the  area  of  social 
economy, 
self-employment 
/microfinance  and  vocational 
training would be needed. Clear 
share 
and 
responsibilities  among  service 
providers  and  targeted  services 
for  Roma  job-seekers  via  the 
public employment service could 
improve results.  

tasks 

of 

Possibilities  of  job  creation  in 
rural areas in sectors other than 
agriculture 
be 
could 
considered. 

also 

EN 

39 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Health 

The  sound  strategy  includes  in  particular 
the following positive elements: 

Strong  analytical  part  in  the  area  of 
health. 

Acknowledgement  of  the  need  to  target 
Roma women and children specifically. 

Developing  measurable  targets 
and  more  specific  measures  to 
tackle problems identified would 
be  necessary.  A  clearer  timeline 
for  implementation,  reinforcing 
the budget would make measures 
more efficient. 

Active  involvement  of  civil  society  and 
Roma 
in 
implementation of the strategy. 

representative 

foreseen 

Focus  on  geographically  deprived  areas 
(micro-regions)  covering  also  non-Roma 
the  similar 
living  under 
population 
conditions as Roma. 

Training  programmes  for  healthcare  and 
social service workforce 

Measures to tackle unhealthy lifestyles. 

Housing 

It  is  particularly  positive  that  a  complex 
programme is in place for those living in 
segregated environment, conceived within 
an integrated approach. 

More attention should be paid to 
social housing. 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Consultation  with  a  wide 
range  of 
stakeholders  (Roma  and  civil  society 
local  and 
representatives,  academics, 
regional  authorities)  took  place  when 
drafting 
territorial 
attention is paid to the situation of Roma 
and  some  meetings  of  consultation  have 
taken place within the regions. 

strategy.  A 

the 

The strategy would be even more 
precise  if  a  detailed  description 
of the monitoring and evaluation 
system 
The 
was 
funded 
sustainability  of  EU 
measures  and 
to 
resources 
mobilise 
requires further attention. 

the  need 

national 

added. 

Specific  attention  is  paid  to  the  situation 
of children as well as to raising awareness 
on discrimination. 

EU resources are quantified and listed for 
the 
targeting 
disadvantaged people. 

planned  measures 

The  strategy  makes  reference  to  the 
European  Agricultural  Fund  for  Rural 

EN 

40 

   EN 

 
 
 
Development 
mentioning any amount. 

(EAFRD), 

without 

EN 

41 

   EN 

 
 
2.17.  Malta 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

14 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document  No Roma population  

Council of Europe estimates  0 

Approach  

No national strategy adopted 

Malta  did  not  adopt  a  national  Roma  integration  strategy  as  there  is  no  Roma 
population on its territory. 

EN 

42 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
2.18.  Netherlands 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

21 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

20 000 - 40 000 

Council of Europe estimates Approximately 40 000 

i.e. 0.24% of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

of 

increasing 

overall 
Goal 
participation  of  Roma  in  the  education 
system,  and  in  particular  ensure  that  all 
young Roma finishes school.  

the 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary.  

Decentralised 
level of municipalities). 

implementation 

(at 

the 

Creation  of  a  specific  platform  gathering 
interested 
that  have 
local  authorities 
important Roma communities, in order to 
work  on  how 
school 
increase 
to 
attendance among Roma children. 

Employment 

Individual 
jobseekers. 

support 

is  provided 

to 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary. 

Health 

is  a  comprehensive 

legislation 
There 
relating  to  non  discriminatory  access  to 
healthcare in place. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary. 

Housing 

Everyone with a low income who resides 
including 
the  Netherlands, 
legally 

in 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 

EN 

43 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Roma, is eligible for social housing.  

situation  of  Roma  people 
necessary. 

is 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  primary  responsibility  for  dealing 
with  the  problems  of  the  local  Roma 
population 
lies  with  municipalities. 
Municipalities  are  encouraged  to  make 
effective use of existing measures to deal 
with problems within certain segments of 
local  Roma  communities.  For 
the 
preparation  of  the  document,  the  Roma 
Platform  of  Municipalities  has  been 
consulted.  

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary. 

EN 

44 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
2.19.  Austria 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

16 January 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 50 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 25 000 

i.e. 0.3 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

taking 

into 
More  measures 
account  the  specificities  of  the 
different  Roma  groups  are 
needed. 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

tailor-made  measures 

Within  a  broad  education  strategy,  some 
innovative, 
for 
Roma pupils are  supported at local level. 
These  include  projects  on  Roma  school 
assistants  providing  learning  support  for 
children  and  mediation,  developed  by 
Roma associations.  

Counselling  and  training  adults  so  as  to 
enhance their employability. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements: 

Diversity  management  within  the  Public 
Employment Service (including PES staff 
with  migration  background  and  training 
of staff).  

The  approach  should  reach  out 
to  all  Roma.  Scaling  up  the 
initiatives 
successful 
current 
should be considered. 

Within  a  general  approach  to  labour 
market  inclusion  offering  support  to  all 
for 
job-seekers, 
disadvantaged  people  and/or  people  with 
a migration background. 

instruments 

some 

centre 

advice 

for  Roma 

in 
The 
Burgenland 
providing 
intercultural  coaching  and  training  for 
Roma ("THARA" projects). 

projects 

and 

EN 

45 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Scaling up initiatives, detailing a 
calendar, 
indicators, 
targets, 
and budget are needed to secure 
the effective implementation.  

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Accessible  and  affordable  healthcare  for 
all. 

Health  insurance  coverage  extended  to 
recipients of social assistance. 

Efforts  to  overcome  language  barriers  in 
health care. 

to 
Regional  project  on 
psychotherapy  to  Roma  victims  of  the 
holocaust and their descendants. 

free  access 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Relatively  well  developed  social  housing 
(in particular in Vienna).  

Projects  against  discrimination  on  the 
housing market. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary.  

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  intention  is  declared  to  involve  civil 
society  organisations  in  the  evaluation, 
further  development  and  implementation 
of the measures.  

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary.  

A  discussion  platform  with  stakeholders 
will be created. 

A clear indication of the funding 
is also indispensable.  

EN 

46 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
2.20. 

Poland 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

30 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 12 731 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 12 731 

i.e. 0.10 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Focus on pre-school education. 

Roma teacher assistants and mediators. 

Funding  children's 
school. 

transport 

to/from 

Funding meals at school. 

vocational 

Focusing  on  desegregation  and 
ensuring  that  other  challenges 
like 
education, 
learning  of  Polish  language  and 
gender 
be 
adequately addressed.   

should 

issues 

Compilation 
programmes  of 
language. 

of 

textbooks 

and 
the  Romani 

teaching 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements: 

Active labour market policy measures. 

providing 
advisors 
Employment 
assistance 
labour  market, 
the 
supporting  entrepreneurship,  subsidised 
jobs, vocational training. 

in 

accessible 

Clearer measures to improve the 
service, 
employment 
public 
including 
and 
targeted  services  for  Roma  job-
seekers  could  improve  results. 
could 
Microfinance 
enhance entrepreneurship. 

projects 

Health 

Specialised  nurses  are  trained  to  better 
address Roma health needs. 

Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators,  and  budget  are 
needed  to  secure  the  effective 
implementation. 

EN 

47 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Providing  help  for  paying  rent  arrears; 
refurbishment  of  existing  apartments  and 
buildings;  constructing  of  social  flats, 
regulating the issue of land's property and 
its  use,  connecting  houses  with  water 
supply and sewage systems. 

The  strategy  could  be  further 
improved  by  concrete  measures 
to  provide  non-discriminatory 
access 
to  housing  and  more 
attention  paid  to  an  integrated 
approach.  

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  programme  covers  eight  areas, 
including  education,  welfare  (in  fact 
housing),  health  and  labour,  but  also 
culture  and 
society, 
security,  and  knowledge  of  the  Roma 
community. 

identity,  civil 

The  sustainability  of  EU  funded 
measures 
further 
requires 
attention 
Specific 
attention. 
should be devoted to applying an 
integrated approach. 

Involvement  of  local  authorities 
in  the  implementation  should  be 
strengthened. 

EN 

48 

   EN 

 
 
 
2.21. 

Portugal 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

2 January 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document  Approximately 40 000 - 60 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 40 000 - 70 000, i.e. 0.52% 

Approach  

of the population 

National strategy  

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

More  focus  on  desegregation 
and  ensuring  that  mainstream 
policies  also  respond 
the 
specific  needs  of  Roma  could 
further  improve  this  part  of  the 
strategy. 

to 

should 

attention 

More 
be 
dedicated  to  recent  economic 
and  social  transformations  and 
its implications. 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Improving  knowledge  of 
the  school 
situation of Roma students and trainees at 
school. 

Ensuring  access  to  pre-school  education; 
Increasing  rates  of  school  attendance, 
ensuring that all Roma children complete 
compulsory education. 

to  stay  on  at 
Encouraging  students 
secondary school, by providing incentives 
to higher education and training. 

Preventing early school leaving; Ensuring 
access  to  lifelong  learning;  Combating 
illiteracy. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Training  staff  and 
training 
provision to the specific characteristics of 
Roma communities. 

tailoring 

Facilitating  access  to  employment  and 
creation of self-employment. 

Improve  vocational  qualifications  with  a 
view to integration in the labour market. 

Developing  an  integrated  approach  to 
Roma  communities,  giving  priority  to 

EN 

49 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
working in partnership. 

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Organising  training/information  actions 
available 
on  health 
services. 

education 

and 

Further 
work 
could 
be 
monitoring 
on 
considered 
progress  in  the  implementation 
of  the  actions  proposed  and  in 
health outcomes. 

Preventive measures. 

Training  health  professionals 
in,  and 
improving  their  awareness  of,  cultural 
diversity. 

and/or 

Creating 
close 
relations between health service providers 
and Roma communities.  

strengthening 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Development of a knowledge base on the 
housing conditions of Roma communities. 

Development  of  integration  practices  of 
Roma communities. 

Measures aimed at improving the housing 
conditions and access to housing. 

The  strategy  could  be  further 
improved  by  concrete  measures 
to  provide  non-discriminatory 
access to housing. 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Roma  communities  participated  in  the 
preparation  of  the  strategy  and  it  is 
acknowledged  that  they  should  be  more 
involved in its implementation. 

Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators,  and  budget  are 
needed  to  secure  the  effective 
implementation.  

The  strategy  foresees  the  creation  of  a 
consultative 
be 
responsible  for  the  monitoring  of  the 
strategy. 

body  which  will 

EN 

50 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2.22.  Romania 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

16 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 730 000 - 970 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 1 850 000 

i.e. 8.32 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Stimulation  of  the  participation  of  Roma 
children in early childhood education and 
school  mediators, 
care, 
training  and  hiring  Romani 
language 
teachers. 

training  of 

Dedicated  places  in  high  schools  and 
universities for Roma students. 

Network  of  school  inspectors  belonging 
to the Roma community. 

inclusive 

Clear 
fighting against school segregation. 

approach, 

explicitly 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements: 

Target  to  increase  the  number  of  Roma 
employees by 60 000, and the number of 
Roma female employees by 25 000. 

Promoting  entrepreneurship  among  the 
Roma people. 

Stimulating  agricultural  activities  and 
traditional crafts. 

SMEs 
Providing 
(infrastructure  investments,  loans,  Roma 

incentives 

to 

The  strategy  does  not  cover 
completion of primary school by 
all Roma children. 

on 

The  strategy  does  not  identify 
clear  targets  on  the  educational 
attainment  of  Roma  and  is  not 
adequate 
founded 
evidence  base.  A  clear  link  with 
general  programmes  targeting 
disadvantaged 
and 
educational infrastructure would 
be necessary. 

groups 

an 

The  integration  into  the  labour 
market  of  the  trained  school 
mediators should be supported. 

The  target  is  not  commensurate 
with  the  size  of  unemployment. 
More  attention  is  needed  to  the 
reduction  of  unemployment,  in 
particular  in  the  case  of  women 
to 
and  youth,  as  well  as 
increasing the skills of the Roma 
population  and 
to  promoting 
transition  from  undeclared  to 
regular  and  from  short  to  long-
term 
Social 
employment. 
economy  structures  should  also 
be  addressed.  The  problems  of 
rural  areas  and  disadvantaged 
micro-regions  and  segregated 

EN 

51 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
employment subsidies). 

neighbourhoods 
addressed specifically.  

should 

be 

Possibilities  of  job  creation  in 
including  sectors 
rural  areas 
other than agriculture should be 
considered.  

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Identification of key challenges (e.g. lack 
of medical staff in rural areas, and lack of 
health insurance among Roma).  

Target  of  increased  access  of  Roma  to 
public  healthcare  services  and  specific 
target on increasing the number of Roma 
health mediators.  

Health  education  campaigns  in  the  field 
of  prevention  of  tuberculosis  in  Roma 
communities. 

Vaccination 
children. 

campaigns 

for  Roma 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

A  number  of  combined  programmes: 
social  housing  construction  programme; 
social  housing  for  Roma  communities 
programme;  social  housing  for  tenant 
programme, etc.  

development 

Regional 
infrastructure 
project  for  10  000  km  of  local  and 
regional roads. 

should 

actions 

proposed 

The 
are 
welcome  but  insufficient  in  size 
and  scope.  The  gap  in  access  to 
health care and health outcomes 
affecting  Roma 
be 
addressed  more 
effectively. 
Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators,  and  budget  are 
needed  to  secure  the  effective 
strategy 
implementation.  The 
would  benefit  from  developing 
concrete  measures  to  increase 
the  health  insurance  coverage. 
local 
Registration 
authorities is necessary.  

with 

does 

strategy 

effective 

not 
The 
appropriately  address  access  to 
(social)  housing.  Detailing  a 
indicators, 
targets, 
calendar, 
and budget are needed to secure 
the 
implementation. 
The  strategy  could  be  improved 
areas  with 
by 
extremely poor communities and 
defining  targeted  measures  to 
address  the  specificities  of  the 
situations.  

identifying 

EN 

52 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Limited dialog with the local and regional 
authorities  during  the  preparation  of  the 
Strategy and Action Plan.  

The  civil  society  was  formally  consulted 
on the preparation of the Strategy. 

Specific  attention  is  paid  to  the  situation 
of children as well as to raising awareness 
on discrimination. 

Reference  to  European  funding,  as  far  as 
is 
agriculture  and  rural  development 
concerned,  without  mentioning 
any 
amount. 

approach. 

The  strategy  does  not  reflect  an 
integrated 
The 
strategy  would  benefit  from  a 
clear prioritisation, a closer link 
between  general  and  specific 
objectives, directions for actions 
and  actual  measures  proposed, 
detailed  description  of  clear 
targets,  responsibilities,  budget 
allocations,  as  well  as  of  a 
robust 
and 
evaluation system.  

monitoring 

In  the  light  of  the  considerable 
reliance  on  Structural  Funds  to 
support  projects  addressing  the 
identified priorities, a significant 
improvement  of  the  absorption 
capacity should be a priority. 

of 

Closer 
the 
involvement 
regional  and  local  authorities 
and  of  Roma  civil  society  in  the 
implementation  and  monitoring 
phase should further improve the 
strategy. 

Effective 
of 
implementation must be ensured. 

coordination 

EN 

53 

   EN 

 
 
2.23. 

Slovenia 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

30 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

7 000 - 10 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 8 500 

i.e. 0.42 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

The  implementation  timeframe 
could have been more detailed. 

Early childhood education measures. 

Developing confidence in education. 

Learning about Roma culture, eliminating 
prejudices.  

Raising the quality of education providers 
to Roma children, (support measures such 
as  free  lunches,  textbooks,  and  school 
buses). 

Establishment  of  a  support  for  learning 
network, in particular for Roma pupils in 
secondary education. 

Employment  A  range  of  employment  policy  measures 
specifically targeted to Roma are defined 
aiming  to  increase  their  employability, 
with  due  consideration  to  the  gender 
aspect. 

The proposed measures could be 
more concrete.  

Health 

Measures  aiming  to  improving  health  of 
and 
the  Roma, 
children. 

especially  women 

A  pilot  project  in  a  region  with  more 
developed  healthcare  provision  for  the 

More 
specific 
developed 
measures  are  needed  with 
expected 
and 
mechanisms 
monitor 
progress.  

outcomes 
to 

EN 

54 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Roma. 

Housing 

Legalisation  of  settlements  as  the  legal 
condition  for  the  construction  of  basic 
infrastructure. 

Discrimination in renting/buying 
property and in access to public 
amenities  in  urban  areas  should 
be addressed. 

funding 

The 
specific 
measures  in  the  programme  is 
not always clearly specified. 

for 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

Local  authorities  were  fully  involved  in 
the  preparation  of  the  strategy.  It  is 
foreseen  that  they  also  play  a  role  in  the 
implementation of parts of it. 

The  civil  society  was  involved  in  the 
preparation  of  the  strategy  and  it  is 
foreseen  that  they  play  a  role  in  the 
implementation.  Representatives  of  the 
Roma community also participated in the 
preparation of the strategy. 

The  implementation  of  the  strategy  will 
be monitored by a Commission composed 
of all relevant stakeholders in addition to 
civil servants.  

EN 

55 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
2.24. 

Slovakia 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

11 January 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 440 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 500 000 

i.e. 9.17 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Increasing pre-school participation of Roma 
children from 3 years of age. 

Increasing  inclusiveness  of  the  educational 
system  and  effectiveness  of  the  social 
support system. 

Eliminating barriers in the transition to high 
schools;  linking  secondary  education  with 
the labour market's needs. 

Increasing  the  number  of  teachers  and 
specialists fluent in Romani language. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Supporting  "second-chance"  education  and 
increasing training opportunities. 

Motivating public and private employers to 
adopt a culture of offering job opportunities 
to the marginalised and socially excluded. 

Improving  non-discriminatory  access 
work opportunities. 

to 

More  focus  on  desegregation, 
second  chance  education  and 
ensuring 
that  mainstream 
policies  also  respond  to  the 
specific  needs  of  Roma  could 
further improve this part of the 
strategy. 

to  develop 

Measures 
local 
policies  preventing  'non-Roma 
children  flight'  from  schools 
attended  by  many  Roma  pupils 
would be needed. 

pre-school 
Compulsory 
education,  offering  increased 
financial 
to  high 
support 
school  and 
tertiary  school 
students should be examined. 

inactivity, 

long-term 
High 
unemployment  and  low  skill 
levels  should  be  addressed  by 
more  specific  measures  and 
supported by adequate budgets.

of 

Ineffectiveness 
current 
Active  Labour  Market  Policy 
and  public  work 
creation 
should  be  also  addressed  with 
increased 
focus  on  effective 
integration  to  the  open  labour 
market. 

EN 

56 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Public  Employment  Services 
providing 
and 
targeted services for Roma job-
seekers could improve results.  

accessible 

the 
schools, 

Non-discriminatory  access  to 
labour  market,  policies 
the 
involving 
majority 
social 
population, 
partners,  and  media,  to  fight 
necessary. 
prejudice 
are 
territorial 
Strengthening 
aspects  of  policy  making  with 
focus  on  most  disadvantaged 
regions should be considered. 

Possibilities  of  job  creation  in 
rural  areas  in  sectors  other 
than  agriculture  and  forestry, 
traditional  crafts  and 
e.  g. 
micro  businesses  should  also 
be considered.  

A  quantitative  assessment  of 
the  health  situation  of  Roma, 
greater  focus  on  children  and 
the  role  of  the  Roma  health 
mediators would strengthen the 
strategy.  

Clear  actions,  responsibilities 
and budget need to be defined. 
Further  work 
to 
monitor  progress  and  health 
outcomes. . 

is  needed 

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Improving 
accessibility  of  healthcare 
including  preventive  healthcare  and  health 
education. 

Improving  hygiene 
settlements. 

in  deprived  Roma 

Considering 
the 
resettlement, 
residents  of  such  locations  be  under  health 
risks. 

should 

Improving  the  communication  between  the 
members  of  Roma  communities  and  the 
focus  on  health 
medical  personnel, 
education,  awareness  raising  on  sexual  and 
reproductive  health,  drug  addiction,  and 
domestic  violence  in  marginalised  Roma 
communities. 

EN 

57 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
Housing 

The strategy envisages to the use EU funds 
(especially ERDF in the area of housing). 

Concrete,  more  ambitious  and 
integrated  measures  to  provide 
non-discriminatory 
to 
housing are necessary.  

access 

The link between the goals and the 
process to reach them needs to be 
strengthened.  

The issue of eligibility for housing 
support for people with temporary 
in 
residence 
undocumented dwellings should be 
addressed. 

shelters  or 

in 

The  sustainability  of  EU  funded 
measures 
further 
requires 
attention.  

Funding  is  not  always  properly 
quantified  and  appears  to  be 
insufficient. 

It  would  be  useful 
to  draw 
lessons  from  the  past  concerning 
the  implementation  of  projects 
financed by structural funds.  

It will be also important to align 
Operational  Programmes  for  the 
programming  period  2014-2020 
with the strategy. 

The  commitment 
to  a  strong 
involvement  of  civil  society  and 
local  authorities  in  planning  and 
implementation 
be 
ensured. 

should 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

an 

strategy 

accurate 
provides 
The 
description of the Roma situation. A holistic 
approach  is  followed.  Emphasis  is  put  on 
cooperation  with  Roma  civil  society  and 
local and regional authorities. 

An important aspect is the recognition of the 
need to work with the majority population to 
tackle  widespread  prejudices/stereotypes. 
The  strategy  also  covers  the  area  of  Roma 
financial inclusion. 

for 

the  period  2011-2015. 

The  overall  budget  allocation  is  quantified 
(€141m) 
However,  individual  measures  in  the  action 
specify  budget 
plan  do  not  always 
implications. 

The  Slovak  strategy  plans  to  use  ERDF  for 
housing. 

reference 

The  strategy  makes 
European  Agricultural  Fund 
Development 
(EAFRD), 
mentioning any amount. 

to 
the 
for  Rural 
without 

EN 

58 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
2.25. 

Finland 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

12 December 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 10-12 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 11 000 

i.e. 0.21 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Enhancing participation of Roma children 
in early childhood education. 

Development 
supporting parenting skills.  

of 

cooperation 

and 

Support transition stages in education. 

Enhancing  the  education  of  Roma  adults 
and  the  promotion  of  their  access  to  the 
labour market. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements: 

Enhancing  the  integration  of  Roma  into 
labour  market  through  more  efficient 
public employment services. 

of 

Development 
of 
employment  for  Roma  and  enhancing 
their entrepreneurship activities. 

forms 

new 

Raising awareness of the Roma people of 
working  life  practices  and  provision  of 
more  information  to  employers  on  the 
prevention  of  discrimination  against 
Roma and the elimination of prejudices. 

EN 

59 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Specific  actions  are  multi-sectoral  and 
adequate  to  meet  the  goals  if  properly 
implemented.  

They  are  mostly  targeted  at  accessibility 
to  and  provision  of  social  and  health 
services  as  well  as  housing  conditions 
with  specific  actions  targeted  to  Roma 
children and the elderly.  

The  strategy  foresees  to  carry  out  an 
extensive  survey  with  the  purpose  of 
acquiring  data  on  welfare,  health  and 
living  conditions  of  Roma  population  as 
well as their need for health services. 

Prevention 
promotion 
healthcare. 

of  marginalisation 
social  welfare 
of 

and 
and 

Provision  of  information  to  Roma  on 
healthcare and social services.  

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Equal  treatment  in  housing  and  reducing 
insecurity.  

of 
Promotion 
cooperation at municipal level.  

cross 

administrative 

Promotion  of  good  local  governance  in 
solving  the  housing-related  problems  of 
individual Roma families.  

EN 

60 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

range  of 
Consultation  with  a  wide 
stakeholders,  including  Roma  took  place 
when  drafting  the  strategy.  Regional  and 
local authorities as well as Roma are also 
the 
role 
given  a  very  active 
implementation of the strategy. 

in 

Responsibilities  of  implementation  are 
relevant 
clearly  divided  among 
ministries. 

the 

A detailed monitoring and steering plan is 
put in place until 2013. 

Effective monitoring will depend 
on  the  capacity  to  develop  its 
horizontal dimension. 

Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators,  and  budget  are 
needed  to  secure  the  effective 
implementation.  

EN 

61 

   EN 

 
 
 
2.26. 

Sweden 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

25 February 2012 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

approximately 50 000 

Council of Europe estimates approximately 42 500 

i.e. 0.46 % of the population 

Approach  

National strategy 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Developing 
timeframe 
implementation 
needed.  

funding 
for 

would 

and 
the 
be 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Pilot  project  in  a  number  of  localities  in 
2012-2015,  with  the  involvement  of  the 
National Agency for Education and of the 
Schools Inspectorate.  

Development  of  knowledge  and  data  on 
the situation of Roma in education. 

Training of school mediators. 

Information  campaigns  targeting  local 
authorities. 

Producing  teaching  materials  in  Romani 
Chib language. 

Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 

following positive elements: 

Focus on the systematic actions and pilot 
projects  run  by  the  Public  Employment 
Office  and  municipalities  to  improve  the 
foothold of the Roma youth on the labour 
market. 

introduce  special 
to 
The  possibility 
mentors  or  "bridge  builders"  shall  be 
analysed (as part of the pilot projects). 

The  Public  Employment  Services  (PES) 
is given the task to distribute information 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people  would 
be  useful.  It  would  be  pertinent 
to  refer  more  to  policies  and 
for 
measures 
vulnerable  groups,  from  which 
the Roma can also benefit. 

in  employment 

EN 

62 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
to  the  Roma  and  to  make  sure  that  the 
Roma receive the help they need (as part 
of the pilot projects). 

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

A  number  of  measures  to  get  better 
understanding  of  the  health  situation  of 
Roma. 

Roma  mediators  in  municipalities  (pilot 
projects). 

Focus on health of Roma women. 

Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Prevention of discrimination of the Roma 
on the housing market.  

The  Government  intends  to  give  the 
Swedish  National  Board  of  Housing, 
Building and Planning (Boverket) the task 
to  report  on  the  housing  situation  of  the 
Roma  in  order  to  better  understand  the 
housing  situation  of  the  Roma  and  to  be 
able 
target  of  equal 
the 
housing. 

to  achieve 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
is 
situation  of  Roma  people 
necessary. 

Measuring  the  impact  of  the 
equal treatment approach on the 
situation  of  Roma  people 
is 
necessary.  

EN 

63 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  strategy  builds  on  the  results  of  the 
work  of  a  Roma  delegation  and 
subsequent public consultation.  

The  20-year  strategy  covers  all  4  key 
areas, as well as culture/language and the 
empowerment of civil society.  

The  lack  of  available  data  is  a 
challenge to be addressed. 

EU  funding  could  be  used  in  a 
for 
more  extensive  manner 
supporting Roma inclusion. 

regional  authorities  were 
Local  and 
involved in preparing the strategy and will 
have  extensive 
the 
implementation. 

responsibility 

in 

Funding  is  secured  from  national  budget. 
The  Swedish  Government  will  report 
yearly  on  progress  in  the  annual  budget 
bills  to  the  Parliament.  Evaluation  of  the 
implementation is foreseen after 5 years. 

EN 

64 

   EN 

 
 
2.27.  United Kingdom 

Document sent to the Commission on: 

11 January 2011 

Roma population  Estimate in the document 

80 000-300 000  

Council of Europe estimates approximately 225 000 

i.e. 0.37 % of the population 

Approach  

Integrated set of policy measures 

KEY ELEMENTS 

IDENTIFIED GAPS 

Education 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

support  provided  by 

local 
Tailored 
authorities  to  meet  Roma  and  Travellers 
children  educational  needs 
(Scotland, 
Wales and Northern Ireland). 

Increasing 
attendance 
accessibility, 
through  an  "Action  Framework  on  the 
education  of  children  and  young  people 
from  the  Traveller  community"(Northern 
Ireland).  

A  lifelong  learning  approach, 
with  focus  on  early  childhood 
education  (reference  only  made 
by  England)  and  vocational 
training  would 
been 
relevant. 

have 

An  identification  of  quantifiable 
targets  and  budget  allocation 
would be needed. 

educational 

Raising 
and 
attainment  of  Roma  and  Traveller 
children (England). 

aspirations 

to  early  childhood 
Free  entitlement 
education to around 40% of two-year olds 
by September 2014 (England). 

Reform  of  higher  education  aiming  at 
widening  access 
low 
income  and  other  under-represented 
groups  as  well  as  scholarship  to  the  least 
well-off students (England). 

including  from 

EN 

65 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
Employment  The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Employment  is  only  mentioned 
regarding England. 

There  is  no  identification  of 
funding supporting the measures 
proposed. 

Promoting  entrepreneurship  in  schools  in 
disadvantaged communities.  

Supporting  English  language  provision 
for those who are not in employment and 
are unable to afford fees. 

Addressing the individual needs of people 
seeking work. 

Promoting 
dialogue with businesses (England). 

social  mobility 

through 

Health 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Improving  understanding 
and  better 
responding  to  the  needs  of  Roma  and 
Travellers (Scotland). 

and 

Monitoring 
budget 
allocations are needed to secure 
the effective implementation. 

Improving 
Travellers' 
(Northern Ireland). 

the 
health 

actions 

targeted 
at 
and  well-being 

Eliminating  discriminatory  practices  and 
negative  perceptions  of  Roma  and 
Travellers, raising awareness of the health 
needs of Roma and Traveller communities 
and  improving  access  to  health  services 
(Wales). 

Improving health outcomes for Roma and 
Travellers (England). 

EN 

66 

   EN 

 
 
 
Housing 

The  strategy  includes  in  particular  the 
following positive elements: 

Consideration  to  the  housing  needs  of 
Roma  and  Travellers  in  planning  and 
local 
of 
accommodation (Scotland). 

provision 

authority 

Land  identification  for  sites  and  site 
provision  for  the  Traveller  population 
(Northern Ireland). 

Integrated  approach  when  building  the 
new sites (Wales).  

Encouraging  appropriate  site  provision; 
building  on  £60  million  Traveller  Pitch 
Funding 
and  New  Homes  Bonus 
incentives (England). 

Structural 
requirements 
and funding 

The  role  of  the  local  level  is  crucial  in 
taking  the  lead  for  the  integration  of 
Roma and Travellers. 

A  wide range of stakeholders (Roma  and 
Travellers,  local  authorities  etc.)  have 
been 
the  UK 
strategies. 

in  drafting 

involved 

Detailing  a  calendar,  targets, 
indicators,  and  budget  are 
needed  to  secure  the  effective 
implementation. 

The strategy would be even more 
precise  if  a  detailed  description 
of the timeframe, monitoring and 
evaluation system was added.  

The  fight  against  discrimination  and 
empowering Roma and Travellers is a key 
aspect of all UK strategies. 

EN 

67 

   EN