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 Assessing the implementation of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies and the Council Recommendation on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States - 2016
Date: 2016-06-27
Institutions: Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, Roma, access to education, action programme, job access, marginalisation, organisation of health care, racial discrimination, right to housing, social integration

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 27.6.2016  SWD(2016) 209 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 Assessing the implementation of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies and the Council Recommendation on effective Roma integration measures in the Member States - 2016   {COM(2016) 424 final}  
 
 
Table of contents 

1 

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 3 

2  EXAMPLES OF APPROACHES ............................................................................................. 6 

2.1  Horizontal measures — discrimination, Roma women, Roma children, empowerment, 
and poverty reduction ........................................................................................................................ 6 

2.2  Education .................................................................................................................................... 8 

2.3  Employment ............................................................................................................................... 9 

2.4  Healthcare ................................................................................................................................ 12 

2.5  Housing .................................................................................................................................... 13 

2.6  Structural measures — cooperation and coordination, monitoring, and funding .................... 14 

2.7  Culture (additional area not covered under the EU framework or the Recommendation) ...... 16 

3  ROMA INTEGRATION IN ENLARGEMENT COUNTRIES .............................................. 17 

4 

FINDINGS FROM THE COMMISSION’S ASSESSMENT IN MEMBER STATES .......... 18 

AUSTRIA ................................................................................................................................ 18 

BELGIUM ............................................................................................................................... 20 

BULGARIA ............................................................................................................................. 22 

CYPRUS .................................................................................................................................. 25 

CROATIA ................................................................................................................................ 27 

CZECH REPUBLIC ................................................................................................................ 29 

ESTONIA ................................................................................................................................ 32 

FINLAND ................................................................................................................................ 34 

FRANCE .................................................................................................................................. 36 

GERMANY ............................................................................................................................. 38 

GREECE .................................................................................................................................. 40 

HUNGARY .............................................................................................................................. 42 

IRELAND ................................................................................................................................ 45 

ITALY ...................................................................................................................................... 48 

LATVIA ................................................................................................................................... 50 

LITHUANIA ............................................................................................................................ 52 

POLAND ................................................................................................................................. 54 

PORTUGAL ............................................................................................................................ 56 

ROMANIA .............................................................................................................................. 58 

SLOVAK REPUBLIC ............................................................................................................. 61 

SLOVENIA .............................................................................................................................. 64 

2 

 
 
 
SPAIN ...................................................................................................................................... 66 

SWEDEN ................................................................................................................................. 69 

UNITED KINGDOM .............................................................................................................. 71 

5  ENLARGEMENT: COUNTRY FICHES ............................................................................... 73 

ALBANIA ................................................................................................................................ 73 

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ........................................................................................... 74 

KOSOVO ................................................................................................................................. 75 

MONTENEGRO ...................................................................................................................... 76 

FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA ...................................................... 78 

SERBIA ................................................................................................................................... 79 

TURKEY ................................................................................................................................. 81 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
1  INTRODUCTION 

The  purpose  of  this  Staff  Working  Document  is  to  accompany  the  Commission’s  2016 
Communication  on  assessing  the  implementation  of  the  EU  Framework  for  National  Roma 
Integration  Strategies  (‘the  EU  Framework’)  and  the  Council  Recommendation  on  effective 
Roma integration measures in the Member States (‘the Recommendation’). 

Since 2012, the Commission has been annually monitoring progress made by Member States 
in  implementing  the  National  Roma  Integration  Strategies  and  the  set  of  integrated  policy 
measures.  This  year for the first time, the Commission  has  reviewed the  measures taken by 
Member  States  in  accordance  with  the  Recommendation.  The  measures  listed  in  the 
Recommendation,  if  implemented  properly  should  enhance  the  effectiveness  of  the  Roma 
integration process and bring tangible results in improving the situation of Roma. 

The structure of this year’s Staff Working Document differs from that of previous years as it 
includes  reporting  on  both  instruments.  This  year’s  report  is  also  more  comprehensive  as  it 
covers new elements that reflect the additional provisions included in the Recommendation. 

A reporting template was designed and shared with Member States to facilitate the reporting 
process.  However,  Member  States  found  reporting  on  the  two  instruments  challenging  with 
some  opting  to  use  alternative  reporting  (Germany,  France,  and  Slovenia).  There  were  also 
variations in the level of detail provided by Member States which is reflected in the country 
fiches. Furthermore, three Member States (Denmark, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands)1 did 
not report on their meusures. 

The  Commission  for  the  first  time  included  the  chapter  on  ‘Examples  of  approaches’ 
coveringthe  thematic  areas  of  the  Recommendation.  This  is  followed  by  the  chapter  on 
enlargement  and  the  chapter  presenting  the  country-specific  summaries  reflecting  the  key 
elements, and the Commission’s assessment on the steps taken by Member States, not only in 
the  four  key  areas  as  they  are  defined  in  the  EU  Framework,  but  also  on  structural  and 
horizontal issues as referred to in the Recommendation. In the next chapter, the Commission 
also presents for the  first time country  fiches  on the enlargement countries. Indeed, the part 
referring to the process of Roma integration in enlargement countries was always included in 
the political narrative of previous Communications, since the EU Roma integration goals are 
equally  relevant  to  these  countries.  However,  this  year,  the  Commission  went  further  and 
included in the Staff Working Document country fiches on enlargement countries. The format 
and content of these country fiches differ from  those of Member States for obvious reasons 
(the  policies  and  funding  applied  to  enlargement  countries  differ  from  the  ones  applied  to 
Member States). 

Regarding  funding,  data  referred  to  in  the  country  fiches    are  based  on  the  financial 
allocations  under    the  2014-2020  European  Structural  and  Investment  Funds.  Marginalised 
Roma communities are expected to benefit from measures funded mainly under the objectives 
of  promoting  social  inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  combating  discrimination  targeted  to 
the socially disadvantaged people (including but not limited to Roma ). It is important to note 
this in order to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion. 

Nevertheless, for the first time (during the programming period 2014-2020) a European Social 
Fund  investment  priority  on  the  ‘socio-economic  integration  of  marginalised  communities, 
such as Roma’ has been selected by 12 Member States. This enables explicit but not exclusive 

1 The Netherlands shared a qualitative study commissioned by the Dutch government with the ERASMUS 
University in Rotterdam on the living conditions of Roma. 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
targeting of Roma. For these Member States, the specific amounts allocated to this priority are 
also highlighted under the funding section of the country fiches. Apart from social inclusion, 
investments  under  employment  and  education  can  also  contribute  to  the  implementation  of 
National  Roma  Integration  Strategies  or  integrated  sets  of  policy  measures.  No  adequate 
information has been provided by Member States on the use of national budgets. 

As was the case in previous years, assessment for this year’s Communication also takes into 
consideration  contributions  from 
  organisations  representing  civil  society  and  other 
stakeholders. Those who have provided a contribution are listed below.2 

Organisation 

ERGO Network 

EUROCITIES and members from Ghent, Berlin, 
Grenoble, Glasgow, Gothenburg, Norway, Romania 
European Roma Information Office — ERIO 

European Roma Rights Centre — ERRC 

Habitat for Humanity and members from BG, HU, RO 

Open Society Foundation and member from Prague 

Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities and 
Opposition to Racism (Equality Body ) 
AMALIPE Center for Interethnic Dialogue and 
Tolerance 
National Network of Health Mediators 
Integro Association 
RomaVersitas Association & Interethnic Initiative for 
Human Rights Foundation, members of NC Intellect 
The Health of Roma Foundation 
Platform for Social Housing 
IQ Roma servis 
The Public Defender of Rights (Equality Body) 
Central Council of German Sinti and Roma 
Hildegard Lagrenne Foundation 
Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (FADA) Equality 
Body 
Kirkens Korshær  
Roma Association UNGA 
Fundación Secretariado Gitano 
Helsinki Deaconess Institute 
Human Rights Institute from FR, NL and SK 
Reformed Church in Hungary (separate contributons 
from Krisztina Nagy, Szabina Sztojka) 
Autonomia Foundation 
Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre 
Associazione 21 luglio ONLUS 
Roma Center for Health Policies — SASTIPEN 

Geographical scope 
General contribution and BG, CZ, 
FR, HU, RO, SK, ES 
General contribution and BE, DE, 
FR, SV, UK, RO 
BG, HR, FR, IT, NL, PL, SK, SL  
General contribution and BG, CZ, 
FR, HU, IT, RO, SK 
BG, HU, RO 
General contribution and HR, SK, 
CZ 

BE 

BG 

BG 
BG 

BG 

BG 
CZ 
CZ 
CZ 
DE 
DE 

DE 

DK 
ES 
ES 
FI 
FR, NL, SK 

HU 

HU 
IE 
IT 
RO  

2 The Commission also took into account the study commissioned by the European Parliament’s LIBE committee 
(Evaluation of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies, PE 536.485), and the World Bank’s recent report 
on Being Fair, Faring Better: Promoting Equality of Opportunity for Marginalised Roma. 

5 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
O Del Amenca 
Asociatia OvidiuRo  
Nevo Parudioms Association 
ETP Slovakia — Center for Sustainable Development 
Church of Sweden 
Roma Support Group 
National Federation of Gypsy Liaison groups 

RO 
RO 
RO 
SK 
SV 
UK 
UK 

The following abbreviations are used in the text and country summaries. For ease of reference 
they are listed below: 

Council of Europe 

CoE 
EAFRD  European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 
ERDF   European Regional Development Fund 
ESIF  
IPA 
NGO 
NRCP  National Roma Contact Point 
NRIS 
OP 

European Structural and Investment Funds 
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance 
Non-governmental organisation 

National Roma Integration Strategy 
Operational Programme 

The  term  ‘Roma’  is  used,  in  line  with  other  documents  of  the  European  Commission  and 
various  international  organisations,  as  an  umbrella  term,  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. 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
2  EXAMPLES OF APPROACHES 

The  Commission  identified  a  wide  range  of  approaches  covering    the  areas  of  the  EU 
Framework  and  the  Recommedation.  This  section  highlights  a  series  of  examples  on  the 
approaches implemented in Member States mainly by public and civil actors. In some cases, 
the  approaches  highlighted  cover  more  than  one  thematic  area.  In  such  cases,  the  approach 
has been included under the most relevant thematic heading. The approaches presented below 
do  not  necessarily  constitute  a  good  practice.  The  selected  initiatives  have  been  chosen 
because of specific elements identified as success pre-conditions. 

2.1  HORIZONTAL  MEASURES  —  DISCRIMINATION,  ROMA  WOMEN,  ROMA 

CHILDREN, EMPOWERMENT, AND POVERTY REDUCTION 

Fighting anti-Roma rhetoric and protests   
The  2015  ‘Together  we  are  better’  campaign  was  initiated  by  the  Amalipe  Center  and 
includes several schools, community centres and youth groups as a peaceful response to the 
growing anti-Roma rhetoric and protests in Bulgaria. It aimed to involve both Roma and non-
Roma  people  in  joint  activities  to  support  local  schools  and  prevent  ethnic  tensions, 
strengthen  dialogue,  and  encourage  tolerance  and  solidarity  to  avoid  future  conflicts.  The 
campaign included over 80 public events in more than 40 municipalities and brought together 
around  3600  people.  It  was  supported  by  national  and  international  political  figures  and 
diplomats.  The  campaign  was  supported  by  many  non-Roma  Bulgarians,  teachers,  head 
teachers, artists and many others who spoke out publicly to promote tolerance and solidarity 
among ethnic groups. (Bulgaria) 

Fighting stereotypes and discrimination in the public sector  
The  SKUPA-J  project  (‘Raising  awareness  of  public  employees,  the  Roma  and  the  general 
public with a view to overcome social barriers and improve co-existence’) supports national 
activities  combating  discrimination  and  promoting  equality.  The  training  sessions  on 
identifying and overcoming stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination — initially targeting police 
officers — were successfully extended to public servants employed in primary schools, social 
work centres, employment offices, and municipalities. 

In order to effectively prevent discrimination and improve the quality of the services delivered 
to  Roma,  the  project  includes  awareness-raising  activities  for  public  servants  and the  Roma 
community  on  fundamental  rights,  acquiring  intercultural  communication  skills  and 
knowledge  of  the  multiple  challenges  faced  by  Roma,  putting  in  place  partnerships  with 
representatives  of  the  Roma  community,  mediation  and  education  activities  targeting 
locations with the most acute challenges. (Slovenia) 

Increasing awareness of equality in schools 
The  Irish  Human  Rights  and  Equality  Commission  launched  a  campaign  to  increase 
awareness of equality issues in schools, for example concerning gender equality, disability or 
cultural  diversity.  The  main  tool  is  a  training  manual  designed  to  provide  teachers  with 
equality-based  teaching  resources  for  use  across  the  curriculum  to  encourage  pupils  to  take 
action on equality, human rights and social justice issues in the classroom, at school or within 
their  wider  community.  The  inclusion  of  pupils  was  an  important  aspect  in  developing  the 
training materials, which also involved the support of the Irish traveller movement. (Ireland) 

Fighting racism in the media 
The  High  Commission  for  Migration’s  measures  to  fight  discrimination  include  ‘a  trainer’s 
team’ of 30 people to undertake awareness-raising campaigns and actions around the country, 
a website ‘Racism on Internet’ that allows citizens to file complaints on racial discrimination, 
and measures targeting media, such as training sessions for media professionals on addressing 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
migration  and  ethnic  minority  issues  and  a  recommendation  on  references  to  nationality, 
ethnicity and religion in the news. (Portugal) 

Fighting anti-Gypsyism from local to national level  
The two-year project  implemented by a partnership of NGOs led by Integro addressed hate 
speech  in  electronic  media.  Activities  focused  on  training  and  mobilisation  of  Roma  youth, 
Roma women and community activists to recognise hate speech and react against it by legal 
means.  Systematic  media  monitoring  was  conducted  and  135  cases  of  hate  speech  against 
Roma were reported to the Commission for Protection against Discrimination, the Council of 
electronic  media  and  the  Committee  on  media  ethics.  This  resulted  in  more  than  70 
proceedings  and  31  decisions  and  prescriptions  to  journalists  and  the  media.  In  addition,  a 
number of campaigns, petitions, open letters and round tables were held with representatives 
from the Roma community, NGOs, institutions and the media to discuss the influence of hate 
speech on the implementation of integration policies and societal relationships. (Bulgaria) 

Transnational cooperation for Roma inclusion 
The French authorities are active in transnational cooperation, more particularly decentralised 
cooperation  with  Romania.  Social  inclusion  projects  within  the  framework  of  decentralised 
cooperation  covers  a  wide  variety  of  actions.  Some  aim  at  supporting  inclusion  of  Roma. 
(Paris:  regeneration  of  a  disadvantaged  district  of  Bucharest;  Nantes:  supporting  several 
villages in association with ‘Families, a roof’; Grand Lyon: building a multifunctional centre 
in the village of Tinca (France, Romania)   

Federal programme against racism and right-wing extremism   
Funding  provided  for  nine  pilot  projects  fighting  anti-Gypsism  under  the  new  federal 
programme  against  racism  and  right-wing  extremism.  This  funding  is  provided  to  the 
documentation centre of German Sinti and Roma. The projects take an educational approach 
in particular towards young people, and are based mainly at local and regional level in various 
parts of the country. (Germany) 

Training of Roma foster parents  
Targeted training of Roma foster parents to improve placement of Roma children in need of 
care. In foster parent training sessions, applicants of Roma origin must be given priority and 
their participation in training and enrolment in foster parent networks should be encouraged. 
(Hungary) 

Promoting public participation of Roma youth 
The  ‘Au  Mensa’  project  on  Roma  youth  participation  used  participatory  methods  to  collect 
young Roma aspirations and develop ways of participating in society. Young Roma acting as 
researchers  collected  information  using  various  methods  including  social  media,  interviews 
and questionnaires. Based on the results, a young Roma club was founded providing leisure 
activities  and  support  in  education  and  employment.  A  Roma  Youth  Council  aiming  to  get 
their  voices  heard  in  public  decision-making  processes  was  launched.  The  aim  was  also  to 
transfer the model of the Roma Youth Council to other cities. The council has its own web 
page and Facebook profile. (Finland) 

sensitive 

service-package,  resettlement 

Culturally 
for  Roma  women 
The ‘Womens’s turn’ project developed a culturally sensitive service-package with practices 
that  have  been  incorporated  into  the  mainstream  prison  services.  Roma  women  have  been 
hired to work as mentors in prisons to support female Roma prisoners. The follow-up ‘Time 
for  change’  post-release  resettlement  project  supported  the  resettlement  of  Roma  women. 
Targeted stakeholders include Roma and non-Roma NGOs and public authorities dealing with 
crime. (Finland) 

support 

Roma integration project of the Traveller and Roma Mediation Centre 
To  reinforce  the  positive  integration  dynamic,  the  pilot  Roma  integration  project  of  the 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traveller  and  Roma  Mediation  Centre  focuses  on  developing  the  skills  of  Roma  families 
(language,  social  skills,  knowledge  of  institutions,  familiarity  with  cultural  traditions  etc.), 
and  on  better  access  to  primary  services  in  the  employment,  housing  and  social  services 
sectors. (Belgium) 

Targeted assistance through an integrated and comprehensive approach 
‘Takeaway  packages’  will  be  provided  in  150  of  the  most  deprived  villages  and  towns.  A 
comprehensive approach will involve outreach activities, early childhood education and care, 
financial  literacy  and  health  awareness  initiatives,  social  housing,  pre-school  facilities, 
community  centres  and  social  enterprises.  Implementation  is  to  be  guaranteed  by  national 
authorities  throughlarge  scale  long-term  interventions  and  complemented  by  smaller-scale 
projects run by municipalities or NGOs. (Slovak Republic) 

Sure Start children’s homes to fight poverty in disadvantaged regions   
Development and expansion of Sure Start’s children’s homes, focusing on settlements with a 
population  of  over  1000  disadvantaged  people  with  a  non-decreasing  child  birth  rate  to 
support  disadvantaged  children  (including  Roma)  in  cooperation  with  their  parents. 
Developing  appropriate  infrastructure  so  that  Sure  Start  can  provide  their  services  (by 
transforming, renewing, modernising and changing the functions of existing buildings, indoor 
and outdoor spaces). (Hungary) 

Access to basic integrated services for the most vulnerable 
Hirundo  is a  day  centre  maintained  by  the  Helsinki  Deaconess  Institute  in  cooperation  with 
the City of Helsinki for Roma travelling within the EU. It provides services such as shower, 
meals, internet and corresponding low-threshold services. The centre also provides guidance 
in 
Finland. 
information 
https://www.hdl.fi/en/ajankohtaista-in-english/1296-diakonissalaitos-jatkaa-
romanikerjalaisten-auttamista-3 (Finland) 

acute  medical 

appropriate 

problems 

and 

on 

2.2  EDUCATION 

Legislative reform 
The new School Act provides for an extension of all-day schooling, creates state standards for 
civic and intercultural education and bans segregated classes. (Bulgaria) 
The adoption of pro-inclusive legislation aims at:fostering equal access for Roma children to 
mainstream education by providing support to children with educational needsin mainstream 
settings;  introducing  compulsory  final  pre-school  year  to  ease  the  transition  into  primary 
education;  and  improving  diagnosis  and  planned  investments  for  expanding  kindergarten 
infrastructure and increasing participation of Roma children in quality pre-school education. 
(Czech Republic)  

Amendment of the School Act, prohibiting the placement of children in special schools on the 
basis of their social backgrounds. Planned investments into expanding kindergarten 
infrastructure .(Slovak Republic) 

Compulsory final year kindergarten introduced from the academic year 2015-2016. (Finland) 
Compulsory kindergarten from the age of three was introduced from the academic year 2015-
2016,  and  accompanied  by 
infrastructure. 
(Hungary) 

into  expanding  kindergarten 

investments 

Focal point schools: A social project that became policy   
Focal  point  schools  educate  pupils  from  more  than  one  locality  (in  rural  areas).  Full-day 
schooling  for  grades  1  to  8,  free  transportation  and  free  school  meals  were  ensured.  In 
addition, teacher training and school materials for full-day schools were provided. The project 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
was  implemented  in  794  schools  where  increased  attendance  and  attainment  were  reported. 
The  project  initially  funded  by  the  European  Social  Fund  has  been  sustained  with  national 
funding. (Bulgaria) 

Zones of educational priority 
The  mainstream  programme  ‘School  and  Social  Inclusion  Actions’,  starting  from  the 
academic year 2015-2016, aims to expand and improve the initiative of zones of educational 
priority.  Schools  in  these  zones  have  contributed  to  reducing  school  dropout  rates  and 
improving  basic  skills.  This  initiative  is  not  specifically  directed  at  Roma,  but  rather  the 
general  population;  however,  most  Cypriot  Roma  live  in  the  zones  of  educational  priority. 
(Cyprus) 

School mediation 
School mediators of Roma origin act as a link between the school and the families with Roma 
children in schools. (Belgium) 

Support for integration of Roma children and youth 
The project funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism is implemented by the NGO ‘Center for 
Education  Initiatives’  in  cooperation  with  municipalities  of  Daugavpils  City,  Jelgava  city, 
Valmiera city, Valdermarpils city and Ventspils city. The main activities of these projects are: 
1) training of Roma mediators and supporting their work in schools and educational centres; 
2)  establishing  resource  centres  for  Roma  children;  3)  organising  intercultural  events;  4) 
providing informative materials; and 5) training teachers on diversity management and non-
discrimination in education. (Latvia) 

schools 

Free after-school tuition 
The mainstream project (which covers Roma in addition to other groups) funded by the city of 
Vienna  during  the  2014-2015  academic  year  started  to  offer  free  after-school  tuition  at 
primary schools in Vienna in autumn 2014. The aim was to provide high quality support to 
children in need of assistance. Since February 2015, this assistance was further rolled out to 
new  middle 
schools 
[Allgemeinbildende höhere Schulen]. The latter have been working in close cooperation with 
primary  schools.  The  project  reached  15  000  primary  school  pupils  in  Vienna  and  around     
10 800 new middle school pupils. After-school tuition in primary schools is provided on-site. 
Additional  classes  are  provided  at  the  schools  based  on  an  analysis  of  needs.  Following  an 
evaluation, the idea is for the schools to have more autonomy in setting the focal points for 
courses  in  the  future.  This  tuition  is  being  provided  at  all  220  public  primary  schools.  Key 
areas  also  include  homework  assistance  and  language  development  for  children  whose  first 
language is not German. (Austria) 

[Neue  Mittelschulen] 

secondary 

academic 

and 

National project for the inclusion and integration of Roma children 
This  national  project  focuses  explicitly,  but  not  exclusively    on  Roma,  Sinti  and  Caminanti 
children. The two areas of focus refer to family involvement and school reception/inclusion. 
The  aim  is  to  facilitate  access  to  local  social  services  for  the  whole  family  in  order  to  also 
promote adequate health protection pathways. The programme initially involved 23 schools, 
of which 18 primary schools and five lower secondary schools, with a total of 42 classes and 
over 900 students, of whom about 156 were Roma, Sinti and Caminanti students. (Italy) 

2.3  EMPLOYMENT 

‘Fit to job’ approach  
Various  Länder  (Land  of  Rheinland-Pfalz,  Berlin,  Hamburg,  North  Rhine-Westphalia, 
Bavaria,  Baden-Württenberg  etc.)  implement  projects  aimed  at  improving  employment 
prospects  for  Roma,  and  in  particular  Roma  youth.  The  ‘Fit  to  job’  approach  is  carried  out 
through  intensive  one-to-one  work  with  the  applicant,  starting  already  at  school,  through 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
school  career  guidance,  vocational  training,  language  support,  work  with  families,  and 
employment services. (Germany) 

Adult education to improve Roma labour market entry   
Funded  by  the  European  Social  Fund,  the  Rainer  project  ‘Roma  energy  through  education’ 
(2015-2018)  is  a  Roma-targeted  measure  aiming  to  facilitate  labour  market  entry  by 
improving  the  level  of  education,  supporting  jobseekers  and  succeeding  at  work  through 
coaching among the Roma population in Central Finland. The project — sometimes covering 
all  the  target  population  —  demonstrates  that  targeted  approaches  can  also  work  in 
municipalities  with  a  small  Roma  population  and  underlines  the  importance  of  cooperation 
among  multiple actors such as social,  employment,  housing offices  and educational centres. 
The  long-term  aim  is  to  create  a  framework  for  sharing  and  promoting  good  practice  in 
targeted Roma services by making use of the existing professional networks at local, regional 
and national level. (Finland) 

Civil-corporate cooperation to promote Roma employment in the private sector 
The  INTEGROM  project  coordinated  by  the  Boston  Consulting  Group  and  Autonómia 
Foundation  mobilised  a  voluntary  coalition  of  diverse  stakeholders  (companies,  civil  and 
professional  organisations).  The  aim  of  the  programme  was  to  help  educated  young  Roma 
find  employment  in  the  private  sector,  at  major  companies,  primarily  in  administrative 
positions. The partners are various large firms open to hiring more Roma employees. Roma 
participants  are  supported  with  training  and  personal  coaching  to  be  successful  in  the 
recruitment  process,  while  the  partner  companies  pay  special  attention  to  recruitment  and 
provide  on-the-job  mentoring. 
(http://inclusive.growthlab.cid.harvard.edu/laszlo-juhasz; 
http://www.integrom.hu) (Hungary) 

Targeted employment services to improve Roma labour market access  
The  transfer  of  the  Spanish  Acceder  programme  to  Italy,  which  will  be  supported  by  the 
European structural and investment funds, is a programme to promote the social inclusion of 
Roma  through  access  to  the  labour  market.  For  the  moment,  however,  the  project  is  in  its 
early phase. (Italy) 

Social considerations in public procurement 
The  Slovak  Republic  piloted  social  considerations  in  public  procurement.  Contract 
performance clauses set out how contracts should be performed and require the contractor to 
hire  a  set  number  of  workers  from  the  Roma  minority  or  long-term  unemployed.  To  bring 
tangible results, it should be well promoted. (Slovak Republic) 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
Roma labour mediators  

Since 2008, mediators have been hired under the national programme "Activate the Inactive" 
targeting  the  inclusion  of  discouraged  and  inactive  people  in  the  labour  market,  including 
through trainings and registration at the labour offices. The Roma mediators work mostly in 
predominantly Roma districts. As a first step, they  hold formal and informal meetings with 
people from the Roma target group in order to assess their personal capacity to take up work, 
provide practical guidance to search for jobs and inform them of work opportunities. In 2015, 
youth  mediators  started  supporting  young  NEETs  by  acting  as  intermediaries  between  the 
inactive  young  people  and  the  institutions  that  provide  social,  health,  educational  and  other 
services (Bulgaria). 

Improving Roma employment through services and fighting stereotypes 
The  project  financed  by  the  European  Social  Fund  and  implemented  by  five  Roma 
organisations will run until 2020. The project aims at developing a positive attitude towards 
Roma  and  eradicating  stereotypes,  and  changing  employer/employee  relations  in  recruiting 
Roma. Plans exist to finance activities such as individual or group motivation, assessment of 
personal  needs,  development  of  social  and  professional  skills,  sociocultural  activities, 
vocational guidance, providing information, consultation, development of general skills (e.g. 
digital  literacy,  languages,  and  entrepreneurship),  vocational  training,  mediation  and  other 
assistance for jobseekers. (Lithuania) 

Roma restaurant ‘Romani kafenava’ 
This  project  promotes  the  development  of  social  entrepreneurship  and,  having  received 
funding  under  a  public  tender,  has  proved  sustainable.  The  project  aims  at  providing  job 
creation  opportunities,  cultural  preservation  and  fighting  stereotypes.  The  restaurant  is 
decorated in a traditional Roma style and offers traditional dishes. (Slovenia) 

Romano Cher — Casa Romilor  
The  project,  co-financed  by  the  European  Social  Fund,  aimed  at  socioeconomic  integration 
and  restoration  of  Roma  craftsmanship  in  the  Romanian  labour  market.  The  initiative 
involved various categories of Roma craftsmen. The social and economic activities run by the 
project and those carried out in the Romano ButiQ workshops were supported by a national 
TV  and  local  radio  communication  campaign  through  posters  and  flyers,  website  design 
(www.mestesukar.ro),  Facebook  page,  dedicated  YouTube  channel,  online  flash  banners, 
mock  release  etc.  Another  important  objective  of  the  project  was  to  create  associations  that 
protect  the  interests  of  those  who  practise  the  craft.  The  project  laid  the  foundation  for  30 
organisations in the social economy locally. (Romania) 

Assessment  of  2007-2013  experience  leads  to  complex  targeted  project  to  boost  Roma 
employment    
The  2014-2020  European  Social  Fund  Operational  Programme  Knowledge  Education 
Development   includes  a  comprehensive  range  of  Roma-specific  measures  to  improve  the 
educational and employment situation, as well as to eliminate barriers to Roma employment 
and social integration. The assessment of Roma-specific projects carried out in the previous 
programming  period  under  Operational  Programme  Human  Capital  revealed  that  the 
employment  project  should  be:  local-based,  targeted  to  a  limited  group  of  people  (20-60); 
andimplemented  in  close  cooperation  with  local  actors  active  in  and  respected  by  the 
community (Roma associations, traditional leaders, elders, Roma assistants). Attention should 
be paid to existing individual skills and the needs of participants in order to guide them to the 
most  suitable  profession  in  the  local  labour  market.  Traineeships  in  particular  proved  to  be 
effective  in  increasing  the  chances  for  future  employment/self-employment  and  also  for 
addressing employers and co-workers negative stereotypes of Roma.  Projects will therefore 
ensure that all identified success factors are fully incorporated. It is expected that during the 
2014-20  programming  period  in  total  3  086  Roma  (approximately  18 %  of  the  total  Roma 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
population) will be covered by this project and 28 % of participants will be employed within 6 
months  after  completing  the  programme  (including  self-employment).  Projects  selected  in 
2016  should  ensure  support  to  1545  Roma  and  28 %  employment  rate    should  be  reached. 
(Poland) 

2.4  HEALTHCARE 

‘Healthy communities’ programme 
The national project co-run by the Ministry of Health and the programme’s original creators 
(an  NGO  platform  of  stakeholders  and  various  interested  professions),  funded  by  the  2014-
2020  European  Structural  and  Investment  Funds.  The  project  was  based  on  past  experience 
that  proved positive.  While in  2003  it  was  implemented  in  11  Roma  settlements,  in  2015  it 
was  already  implemented  in  254.  It  aims  at  promoting  access  to  healthcare  through 
participatory, community-based health mediation. (Slovak Republic) 

Improving access to healthcare services in disadvantaged regions 
Efforts  were  made  to  improve  equal  access  to  healthcare  services  by  incentivising  general 
practitioners to fill vacancies in disadvantaged areas. The programme targets municipalities, 
which  have  districts  with  long-term  vacancies  and  doctors  not  holding  the  qualification  for 
practising as a general practitioner. Targeted training for healthcare professionals on handling 
cultural  differences  in  treatment  and  a  40-hour  transcultural  bioethics  training  module  has 
been incorporated in healthcare vocational and professional training. (Hungary) 

Health mediation  
The project ‘Together for a better health, for us, by us’ aims to improve the health status of 
Roma  by  directly  supporting  Roma  health  mediators  and  by  establishing  and  supporting  a 
network of non-governmental organisations to integrate, improve and extend the role of Roma 
health  mediators  in  the  respective  countries.  (Transnational:  Bulgaria  —  Hungary  — 
Romania — Slovakia) 

The  national  network  of  health  mediators  in  Bulgaria  provides  :  assistance  to  residents  of 
socially  excluded  Roma  communities,  support  for  preventive  healthcare  (regular  check-ups, 
vaccination), and family planning, help to eliminate and reduce the spread of communicable 
diseases. Since 2007, the profession of ‘Health mediator’ has been included in the Bulgarian 
National  Classification  of  Professions.  Some  170  health  mediators  are  currently  working  in 
more than 90 municipalities in Bulgaria and are financed through the state budget. Bulgaria 
plans to increase the number of health mediators supported by the state by transferring funds 
to  the  municipalities.  At  the  end  of  2015,  the  Ministry  of  Health  declared  its  intention  to 
establish  a  working  group  on  adopting  standards  for  the  work  of  the  health  mediators. 
Meetings of the working group are planned for 2016. A  pilot project of health mediation in 
three hospitals (Yambol, Samokov and Lom) was also launched. (Bulgaria)  

Improving access to vaccination 
The  Flemish  government  organises  a  system  of  mobile  vaccination  vehicles  to  explain  the 
benefits of vaccination. (Belgium) 

Supporting access for Roma students to medical studies  
Grants schemes supporting medical scholarships for Roma students (Bulgaria, Poland) 

Improving hygiene and providing safe water for marginalized Roma communities 
The  measures  include  rodent  control,  disinfection  and  de-infestation  as  well  as  promoting 
access to safe and potable water in marginalised Roma communities. (Slovak Republic) 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2.5  HOUSING 

Relocation and social integration programme in the region of Madrid   
IRIS  is  a  public  institution  funded  by  the  region  of  Madrid  that  implements  rehousing, 
relocation  and  social  integration  programmes  for  marginalised  communities  living  in 
slums/illegal  settlements.  Since  2000,  IRIS  purchases  and renovates  houses  in  the region  of 
Madrid  and  resettled  families  pay  subsidised  rents,  significantly  below  market  value. 
Desegregation  and  integrated  approach  are  key  aspects  in  the  work  of  IRIS,  as  the  flats 
purchased  by  IRIS  are  distributed  across  the  entire  region  of  Madrid  in  order  to  avoid  the 
creation  of  ghettos,  and  social  services  are  offered  in  parallel  for  a  better  integration  of  the 
families in their new environment. Therefore the structure of the IRIS programme is twofold: 
1) Housing scheme: IRIS buys flats on the private market or from the regional social housing 
stock and rents  them out  at subsidised rates to marginalised families. 2)  Social scheme: 3-5 
years  of  social  support   consisting  of  three  main  phases:  preparing  the  transition  before 
moving,  adapting  to  the  new  housing  situation  and  integrating  (support  for  access  to 
education,  health  services,  administrative  support,  neighbourhood  conflict  prevention,  etc.) 
Over  2300  families  have  moved  to  standard  housing  through  this  programme,  with  an 
integration  rate  of  the  relocated  families  reaching  96 %.  IRIS  was  funded  by  the  European 
Regional  Development  Fund  2000-2006  and  will  again  feature  in  the  current  programming 
period  with  some  EUR  30  million  in  funding  for  the  eradication  of  remaining  slum 
settlements in the region of Madrid (Spain) 

Federal plan against homelessness   
The  mainstream  plan  applicable  in  the  five  biggest  cities  in  Belgium  —  and  more  recently 
extended  to  three  smaller  cities  —  aimed  at  giving  immediate  accomodation  to  the  most 
vulnerable homeless persons, including Roma. (Belgium) 

‘Romcivic’  
Romcivic is a project for the inclusion and citizenship of people living in slums and shanty 
towns, partly financed by the National Roma Contact Point. This project is run with the help 
of a team of 24 young volunteers, including 18 from Eastern Europe and living in settlements. 
(France) 

Tackling the lack of registration among Roma 
Romania issued a comprehensive anti-poverty package (included in the anti-poverty strategy), 
which  which  includes  the  provision  of  identity  documents  for  Roma.  This  will  generate  a 
positive  trend  in  enabling  better  access  by  Roma  to  other  basic  areas  and  services  such  as 
education, housing, labour market and healthcare services. (Romania) 

Statutory right to means-tested guaranteed minimum income 
The means-tested guaranteed minimum income is a mainstream measure intended to support 
those who are no longer able to support themselves. Their monthly requirements in terms of 
food,  clothing,  hygiene  products,  heating  and  electricity,  household  goods,  other  personal 
needs such as adequate social and cultural participation, and housing is provided in a sum of 
money that is  revised annually.  The means-tested guaranteed minimum income ensures that 
all  those  entitled  to  it  are  afforded  the  same  minimum  living  standards.  The  means-tested 
guaranteed minimum income is paid monthly, and for 2016 stands at EUR 837.76 for single 
people and EUR 1 256.64 for couples. These amounts include a 25 % share for housing costs. 
The housing cost component can be reduced if the individual pays little or no housing costs. 
The  minimum  standards  for  children  vary  across  federal  states,  but  remain  high  across  the 
board. People without health insurance cover who are eligible for the means-tested guaranteed 
minimum  income  are  registered  for  statutory  health  insurance  by  the  federal  states.  This 
allows recipients of means-tested guaranteed minimum income to obtain an e-card. (Austria) 

14 

 
 
 
 
2.6  STRUCTURAL  MEASURES  —  COOPERATION  AND  COORDINATION, 

MONITORING, AND FUNDING 

Improving cooperation and coordination   
Finland  considers  that  the  involvement  of  Roma  together  with  the  authorities  and  other 
stakeholders  is  vital  in  developing  their  social  status  and  living  conditions.  The  advisory 
board  on  Romani  affairs  and  the  four  regional  advisory  boards  on  Romani  affairs  serve  as 
cooperation  bodies  between  relevant  authorities  and  the  Roma  population.  Their  task  is  to 
promote the status, social inclusion and living conditions of Roma. Furthermore, there are  a 
growing number of municipal Roma action groups. (Finland)  

Various  German  states  (Baden-Württemberg,  Bremen,  Hessen,  Rheinland-Pfalz,  Bavaria) 
concluded contractual agreements or state contracts (in Bavaria a ‘Joint Declaration’) with the 
respective regional associations of the central council of German Sinti and Roma, which must 
implement  minority  protection.  These  agreements  define  the  cooperation  of  the  state 
governments with the central council regarding all issues concerning Sinti and Roma such as 
promoting cultural identity, fighting against anti-Gypsism, preserving the graves of Sinti and 
Roma who were persecuted under national socialism, etc. (Germany) 

The  Ministry  of  EU  Funds,  in  its  capacity  as  National  Roma  Contact  Point,  initiated  the 
creation  of  the  interministerial  committee  to  facilitate  dialogue  and  cooperation  among 
relevant national authorities. This is an important first step to ensure optimal cooperation of 
the ministerial lines. The interministerial committee aims at interinstitutional coordination to 
implement the National Roma Integration Strategy, with  the support  of  other  ministries and 
local and central public administrations. It also ensures coherence during the implementation 
of measures through other national programmes or strategies. (Romania) 

Integrated local action plan for the inclusion of marginalised residents  
EU funding allowed Glasgow to develop an integrated local action plan covering all key areas 
(education, employment, health and housing) to support integration of marginalised residents, 
including Roma, in the Govanhill neighbourhood. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Glasgow 
city  council  and  its  partners,  the  lives  of  Roma  have  been  steadily  improved  (United 
Kingdom, Scotland) 

Local cooperation for Roma integration  
Gothenburg was selected through a competitive process by the national government to be one 
of the five pilot municipalities for Roma inclusion 2012-2015 as part of the Swedish 20-year 
strategy  (until  2032).  The  pilot  project  has  been  raising  awareness  among  municipal 
institutions  about  the  national  strategy  as  well  as  creating  support  structures  for  its 
implementation.  Close  links  have  been  forged  between  local  and  national  services  and  civil 
society in the areas of education, housing and the national job centre. (Sweden) 

Local action/funding  
During  the  2007-2013  programming  period,  the  Hungarian  rural  development  programme 
dedicated EUR 260 million to local development in rural areas under the LEADER initiative, 
3 and provided support to some 13000 projects. An equal opportunities programme office was 
established  to  organise  training  to  help  Roma  present  project  proposals  under  LEADER. 
Similar support during the 2014-2020 programming period would be welcome. (Hungary) 

Promotion of an integrated approach at local level  
Spain has organised various seminars with national, regional and local authorities to exchange 
knowledge and experience and to encourage regions to make use of the European Structural 

3 LEADER is a community-led local development method for mobilising and developing rural communities 
through local public-private partnerships.   

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
and  Investment  Funds,  especially  with  regards to  complementing the  European  Social  Fund 
and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). As a result, two regions (Madrid and 
Murcia)  have  incorporated  activities  specifically  targeting  marginalised  communities 
including Roma in their recently adopted operational programmes under the ERDF by way of 
Investment  Priority  9.2  (Madrid  and  Murcia),  including  a  specific  programme  to  eradicate 
shanty towns. (Spain) 

Empowerment and cooperation through Local Action Groups 

The municipality of Tundzha (in South-Eastern Bulgaria, 24000 inhabitants, 3,881 identifying 
as  Roma)  sets  a  positive  example  of  the  benefits  of  empowerment  through  Local  Action 
Groups  (LAG)  for  the  design  of  the  municipality’s  integration  policies.  The  LAG  (created 
with the help of the local facilitator under ROMACT and using the network of labour/health 
mediators)  identified  and  prioritised  the  necessary  actions  to  address  the  problems  of  the 
vulnerable  groups  in  the  fields  of  education,  employment,  health  and  housing.  As  a  result, 
Tundzha municipality and the LAG jointly developed a Municipal Plan for Roma Integration 
(2015-2020).  This  is  part  of  a  long-term  investment  programme  that  contains  previously 
implemented  measures  (e.g.  cancellation  fees  in  kindergartens,  new  kindergartens/facilities 
for  children,  vocational  training,  improved  street  network  and  infrastructure)  and  future 
projects (e.g. social housing, equal access to quality health services). (Bulgaria) 

Mapping of Roma communities 
Mapping Roma communities facilitates comprehensive and targeted support provided through 
‘Takeaway packages’ to 150 of the most deprived Roma communities. (Slovak Republic) 

Mapping Roma settlements in municipalities with over 15 000 inhabitants is useful to have a 
more accurate picture of the scale of existing problems. (Italy) 

In  November  2014,  the  Romanian  institute  for  research  on  national  minorities  started 
implementating  a  two-year  project  on  mapping  of  Roma  communities  for  community-level 
monitoring.  The  EUR 1 million  project  funded  by  the  European  Economic  Areas  and 
Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the period 2009-2014 targeted local Roma communities, 
local  level  administration  and  civil  society.  Participation  by  the  communities  was  an 
important  element.  Based  on  data  collected,  a  set  of  indicators  for  monitoring  progress  of 
Roma inclusion at the local level will be developed and applied to results-based monitoring. 
(Romania) 

Improving data collection to feed monitoring 
In  its  efforts  to  meet  the  National  Roma  Contact  Point’s  information  needs  to    monitor 
progress  in  social  inclusion,  the  Hungarian  Central  Statistical  Office  included  questions  on 
ethnicity in major sample surveys (Labour Force Survey, Survey on EU Statistics on Income 
and Living Conditions). The method was tested during the 2011 population census. The data 
collected  made  it  possible  to  calculate  the  core  outcome  indicators  for  monitoring  the 
implementation of the national social inclusion strategy on Roma inclusion. (Hungary) 

Qualitative research for policy review and Roma empowerment 
The qualitative research project ‘Educational pathways for Roma in Austria’ by the Ministry 
for Education and Women — financed under the European Social Fund — was based on 125 
interviews  carried  out  by  a  research  team  of  15  interviewers,  14  of  whom  were  of  Roma 
origin.  Besides  contributing  to  evaluation  and  policy  review,  the  project  proved  to  have  an 
empowerment role, ensuring Roma participation. (Austria) 

Review  of  National  Roma  Integration  Strategy,  including  baseline  data  and  outcome 
indicators  
Poland conducted a comprehensive study in order to improve the quality and functioning of 
the  National  Roma  Integration  Strategy  before  its  adoption  covering  the  period  2014-2020. 

16 

 
 
 
 
  
 
Specific  objectives,  measures  and  actions  have  been  defined  in  four  key  thematic  areas. 
Indicators have  been established as well as a monitoring and evaluation structure, including 
the creation of an electronic database. (Poland) 

2.7 

CULTURE  (ADDITIONAL  AREA  NOT  COVERED  UNDER  THE  EU 
FRAMEWORK OR THE RECOMMENDATION) 

Estonian Roma community through the eyes of Roma children  
In  order  to  fight  discrimination  and  increase  public  understanding  of  young  Roma  and  the 
Roma  community,  a  targeted  photo  project  was  initiated  by  the  civil  society  organisation 
‘MTÜ Ambulartoorium’ in 2015. During the project, Roma children and young people were 
given cameras and took pictures of what they considered important or interesting and wrote a 
story to accompany their photos. A dedicated website will be created in 2016 to exhibit the 
photos and the best photos will also be published in a book. (Estonia) 

Early marriage: culture or abuse?   
The  project  implemented  by  civil  society,  and  supported  by  the  Commission  under  the 
Daphne programme, aimed at raising awareness on how to act as a mediator at the onset of 
early/forced  marriage.  The  target  groups  are  Roma,  teachers,  Roma  representatives,  and 
experts  in  the  field  of  social  work,  counselling  and  healthcare,  NGOs  and  the  police. 
Activities included training on mediation, door-to-door visits and the creation of a prevention 
programme for schoolchildren on topics like reproductive health, cultural diversity, violence, 
peaceful resolution of conflicts, and a sociological study on early marriage practices in some 
Roma communities. (Transnational: Slovenia, Bulgaria and Italy)   

‘The Roma Spirit Awards’   
A project initiated by the Slovak Republic, replicated by the Czech Republic and brought to 
the European level, aims to promote the efforts by individuals and organisations in improving 
the situation of Roma. The project also promotes a positive image of Roma, Roma culture and 
contributes  to  the  elimination  of  stereotypes  and  prejudices  against  Roma.  The  Roma  Spirit 
Awards 
organisations, 
such 
company/employer/firm,  city/municipality,  individual,  media  and  good  deed  of  the  year. 
(Slovakia) 

non-profit/non-state 

categories 

given 

are 

as 

in 

‘Khamoro’ (in Roma language ‘sun’) 
The largest and most famous professional Roma festival in the world has been held in Prague 
by the NGO Slovo 21 since 1999. The festival promotes diverse Roma culture, offers unique 
concerts  by  Roma  bands  from  all  over  the  world,  exhibitions,  film  projections,  dance 
workshops, as well as specialised seminars and conferences. http://www.khamoro.cz/ (Czech 
Republic) 

Museum of Roma culture 
The first museum dedicated to Roma culture was established in Bucharest, Romania in 2013. 
It aimed at objectively presenting and promoting Roma culture. Civil associations, academic 
institutions  and  local  authorities  worked  together  to  create  the  museum.  The  need  for  the 
museum was rooted in the deeply prejudiced public discussions about Roma and their culture, 
often confronted with stereotyping. The museum has not only a series of artefacts related to 
Roma  culture,  but  a  dynamic  conglomerate  of  ideas  and  stories,  illustrated  through  objects, 
installations  and  people,  so  as  to  generate  debate  on  all  levels  of  society.  The  Museum 
accommodates periodic exhibitions, crafts and dance workshops, debates and cultural events. 
(Romania) 

17 

 
 
 
  
3  ROMA INTEGRATION IN ENLARGEMENT COUNTRIES 

The  Roma  communities  in  the  Western  Balkans  and  Turkey  continue  to  suffer  from 
discrimination,  and  little  progress  has  been  made  on  the  ground  throughout  the  last  year. 
Large  gaps  persist  between  Roma  and  non-Roma  in  access  to  education,  employment, 
healthcare  and  housing.  Furthermore,  limited  progress  was  achieved  in  2015  as  regards 
citizens registration.  

The end of the Roma Decade in 2015 brought the conclusion of an important cycle of Roma 
integration activities by Decade members from the Western Balkans . Most Western Balkans 
countries  concluded  the  implementation  phase  of  their  Roma  Decade  integration  Strategies 
and  related  Action  Plans,  and  have  adopted  new  ones.  Turkey  drafted  its  first  Roma 
integration strategy and action plan, following a consultation process. These were adopted in 
April 2016.  

The  European  Commission  has  continued  to  develop  its  tools  to  monitor  Roma  integration 
more  efficiently  .  Roma  integration  work  within    Chapter  23  negotiations  on  "Judicial  and 
Fundamental rights’ for Montenegro and Serbia has been of particular significance. The third 
round of Roma inclusion seminars is nearly completed in the Western Balkans countries, with 
seminars held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo* and Serbia in 2015. The implementation 
of the conclusions of the Roma seminars continued to be monitored in the annual Stabilisation 
and  Association  Agreement  Subcommittees.  Finally,  the  visa  liberalisation  process  allowed 
for a close assessment of the evolution on the ground, especially for Kosovo and Turkey that 
have Roma related benchmarks in their visa liberalisation action plans. 

The  results of  the  independent thematic  evaluation  of  IPA  I  (2007-2013)  projects  for  Roma 
communities  in  Western  Balkans  and  Turkey,  were  presented    in  2015.  These  include  the 
following  recommendations  for  improving  the  efficiency  of  the  use  of  IPA  II  (2014-2020) 
funds: greater political commitment and financial allocations to implement Roma integration 
priorities  both  from  the  Commission  and  the  enlargement  countries;  enhanced  monitoring; 
inclusion of the gender dimension and closer involvement of civil society. Publication of the 
list  of  measures  that  will  be  taken  to  implement  the  11  evaluation  recommendations  is 
foreseen in 2016. 

This    Staff  Working  Document  includes  for  the  first  time  country  fiches  identifying  for  the 
Western Balkan countries and Turkey the main data available on: 

  Estimated size of Roma populations4, 

  Main policy documents and bodies responsible for their implementation, 

  Fora  for  civil  society  participation    in  the  definition  and  implementation  of  Roma 

policies, 

  State of play in  priority areas (education, employment, health and housing)5,  

  Frameworks for dialogue/work on Roma integration at EU level, 

  Amount of IPA funds invested in Roma integration projects (2007-2015). 

4 Council of Europe data; "average figure" 
(http://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=0900001680088ea9). 
5 State of play 2014, indicators per priority area; "Roma Inclusion Index 2015" (Decade of Roma inclusion Secretariat Foundation; 
http://www.romadecade.org/cms/upload/file/9810_file1_roma-inclusion-index-2015-s.pdf), and for Kosovo: Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian 
Communities in Kosovo Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2013-2014 (http://ask.rks-gov.net/eng/mics). 
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo 
declaration of independence.  

18 

 
 
                                                 
4  FINDINGS  FROM  THE  COMMISSION’S  ASSESSMENT 

IN 

MEMBER STATES  

AUSTRIA 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Strong non-discrimination measures in place, complemented by 
targeted measures to prevent Roma discrimination particularly. 
Measures  aiming  at  raising  awareness  about 
Holocaust. 
Modules on the subject of ‘human rights’ in basic training. 
Projects  on  Roma  women  on  career  and  educational  guidance 
for  police  officers. 
and  mandatory 
Documenting  race-motivated  incidents  against  Roma  in  the 
2013-2015 Anti-Gypsyism Report; Romane Thana exhibition in 
the Vienna City Museum etc. 

the  Roma 

in-service 

training 

Consider up scaling the targeted measures at national level and 
put in place effective measures for their sustainability. 
It should be clear to what extent Roma women benefit from the 
mainstream  policies  and  measures.  Results  of  projects 
specifically  addressed 
to  Roma  women  and  benefits  of 
mainstreaming  for  Roma  women  should  be  monitored  and 
clearly presented. 

ESF  —  Roma-specific  measures  under  investment  priority  —
measures  to  ensure  discrimination  —  free  access  to  the  labour 
market  through  empowerment  and  training  of  the  Roma 
communities. 

Evidence gathering should be developed to assess the impact of 
these measures on Roma. 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Mainstream  and  targeted  measures  meant  to  support  access  to 
school. Measures including free after-school tuition at schools. 
Measures on mandatory early language development support in 
public childcare facilities. 
Strategy  to  combat  early  school  leaving;  expansion  of  full-day 
schooling;  supplementary  native  language  tuition,  individual 
learning  assistance  for  Roma  children,  supplementary  native 
language tuition etc. 

Evidence gathering on educational outcomes and the impact of 
these measures on Roma children should be developed. 

EMPLOYMENT 

Measures supporting career and educational guidance. 
Information  and  awareness  raising  meant  to  reduce  barriers  in 
accessing labour market. 
Measures  to  ensure  transitions  in  between  school  and  labour 
market, Language courses at various levels, vocational trainings 
etc. 

Consider monitoring the impact of the mainstream measures on 
Roma. 

HEALTHCARE 

Support is provided through mainstream policy measures. 
The  measures  include  Health  Pilots  -MiMi,  Migrants  care 
services,  mammography  screening  for  socially  disadvantaged 
women  and  female  migrants,  Parent-teacher  dialogue  platform 
— project. 

The  impact  of  the  mainstream  measures  on  Roma  should  be 
assessed  and  monitored.  Targeted  measures  to  address  the 
specific  needs  of  the  Roma  people,  in  particular  those  of 
vulnerable women and children should be considered. 
Cultural  awareness-raising  of  healthcare  professionals  and 
health-related awareness-raising of the Roma community should 
be considered. 

Mainstream  measures  such  as  statutory  right  to  means-tested 
guaranteed minimum  income, equal access to housing (council 
and emergency housing) or Vienna Housing Hub etc. 

Consider  targeted  measures  to  support  the  specific  needs  of 
Roma in access to housing through an integrated approach. 
Put in place effective monitoring mechanism to assess the extent 
of  the  impact  the  mainstream  measures  on  housing  have  on 
Roma. 

HOUSING 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The  National  Roma  Contact  Point  coordinates  the  design, 
development and implementation of policy measures in support 
of  Roma  integration.  The  involvement  of  various  stakeholders 
in  the  process  is  ensured  through  the  Roma  Dialogue  Platform 
which  is  organised  frequently  over  the  year.  The  Ombudsman 
for Equal Treatment is also represented at the Roma Platforms. 
The  Commission  will  financially  support  AT  to  continue 
organising National Roma Platforms. 

further 

through 

empowering 

The  NRCP  is  efficiently  performing  its  overall  responsibilities 
yet 
the 
administrative  capacity  of  the  National  Roma  Contact  Point 
should be considered. 
Consider  training  for  Roma  Civil  Society  to  effectively 
contribute  to  the  monitoring  and  implementation  of  the  policy 
measures on Roma. 

strengthening 

MONITORING 

Monitoring  and  evaluating  is  performed  through  the  collection 
of  relevant  qualitative  data  on  the  social  and  economic  impact 
of  these  measures.  The  surveys  are  conducted  in  line  with  the 
international 
applicable  national  and  EU 
obligations, 
to  personal  data 
protection. 
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

in  particular  with  regards 

legislation  and 

Ensure that the results of the surveys performed are followed up 
and  translated  into  efficient  policy  measures  to  address  the 
specificities of the challenges identified. 
Measuring  the  impact  of  the  mainstream  measures  on  Roma 
should be considered. 
Better  involvement  of  the  Civil  Society  Organisations  in  the 
monitoring  of  the  policy  measures  on  Roma  should  be  better 
addressed.  

FUNDING 

In the 2014-20 period a total of €553 mio (€11 mio ERDF, €138 
mio  ESF  and  €404  mio  EAFRD).  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including, but not limited to Roma). Under this amount Austria 
also  selected  a  new  Roma-specific 
investment  priority 
(explicitly  targeting  Roma)  with  a  total  allocation  of  €4  mio. 
Apart from social inclusion, investments under employment and 
education can also contribute to NRIS-implementation. National 
funding is provided through mainstream programs.. 

Progress has been made in terms of targeted funding under ESF 
–Roma specific measures. 
Further  use  of  existing  possibilities  under  the  EU  Funds  to 
support Roma inclusion should be considered. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Progress  has  been  made  in  terms  of  developing  the  mechanism  of  coordination  and  cooperation  of  relevant  stakeholders  in  the 
Roma inclusion process by enabling an effective communication platform, as well as in terms of  targeted funding under ESF  –
Roma specific measures. The NRCP is efficiently and actively performing its responsibilities in line with the EU Framework for 
NRIS.The impact of the mainstream measures on Roma should be assessed and monitored. Consider targeted measures to address 
the  specific  needs  of  the  Roma  people,  in  particular  those  of  vulnerable  women  and  children.  Cultural  awareness-raising  of 
healthcare professionals and health-related awareness-raising of the Roma community should be considered. Better involvement of 
the civil cociety in the monitoring of the policy measures should be ensured.. Consider training for Roma civil society to effectively 
contribute to the monitoring and implementation of the policy measures on Roma. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BELGIUM 
(Gens du voyage are included under umbrella term Roma) 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN  

Flanders  launched  a  plan  against  discrimination  in  housing 
(which is prohibited by the Flemish housing code). 
No specific antidiscrimination measures targeting non-Roma are 
reported. 

Awareness  measures  aimed  at  the  general  public  should  be 
further exploited. 
A correct criminalisation of anti-Roma rhetoric and hate speech 
should be ensured. 
It also should be clear to what extent Roma women benefit from 
the  mainstream  policies  and  measures.  Measures  addressed 
specifically to Roma women and children should be put in place. 
Given  that  a  mainstream  welfare  system  is  functioning  in 
Belgium,  focus  on  facilitating  access  to  it  through  mediation  is 
given.  However,  the  impact  of  mainstream  policy  measures 
should  be  measured  in  order  to  ensure  that  the  needs  of  the 
Roma are met. 

POVERTY REDUCTION  

Programme funded by city of Ghent and regional government to 
reduce  risk  of  poverty  among  children  (not  aimed  at  Roma  but 
rather at any population considered at risk including Roma). 
 Pilot  project  specifically  targeting  Roma  (developing  the  skills 
of  Roma  families  (language,  social  skills,  knowledge  of 
institutions) and better access to primary services) 

The impact of mainstream policy measures should be measured 
in order to ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Specific plan to tackle early school leaving in Flanders. 
Local  parental  involvement  projects  in  the  Flemish  community, 
to  increase  parental  involvement  through  school  mediators  of 
Roma  origin who  act  as  a  link  between  the  school and  families 
with Roma children in schools in the French Community. 
The  Brussels  Capital  Region  supports  a  mediation  programme 
for  Roma  families  in  schools  in  the  Brussels  area  that  have  a 
large number of children from ethnic backgrounds.  

There are still many Roma children not able to go to school and 
overrepresentation  of  the  Roma  in  special  education  system. 
More  targeted  support  should  be  followed  when  addressing  the 
low attendance and poor attainment of Roma pupils. 
As a general guideline, developing a good cooperation with the 
families  is  important  to  address  early  school  leaving.  However, 
to  deliver  the  expected  results,  it  needs  to  be  part  of  a 
comprehensive approach. 
Although BE is one of the 6 EU countries where participation in 
early childhood education is almost universal for children from 3 
years old, lower participation rates and less regular attendance of 
specific groups such as Roma are noted. There is also variation 
in  the  quality  of  provision.   The  communities  are  taking   new 
measures to address those challenges .  
In order to encourage pre-school attendance, there is currently a 
debate on the possibility of reducing the age at which schooling 
is compulsory. 

Roma  are  mainly  targeted  within  the  mainstream  measures  for 
the unemployed people. 
Project launched with the support of ESF, specifically targeting 
the Roma families. 

A  more  targeted  approach  to  ensure  access  to  and  increase 
participation  of  Roma  to  employment  mainstream  measures 
should be considered 

EMPLOYMENT 

HEALTHCARE 

24  experts  (some  of  whom  are  of  Roma  origin)  have  been 
selected  and  will  work  in  Ghent,  Brussels  and  Charleroi  as 
intercultural mediators. 
The  Flemish  government  organised  a  system  of  mobile 
vaccination  vehicles, 
the  benefits  of 
vaccination. 

to  explain 

touring 

Many Roma are unaware of the existence or are unfamiliar with 
the  provisions  of  healthcare  services.  Awareness  raising 
campaigns should be considered. 
Promoting  access  to  health  through  health  mediators  (also  of 
Roma origin) will help this process. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HOUSING 

In Wallonia, a decree is guaranteeing permanent settlements for 
the travellers in ten cities. 
Flanders  launched  a  plan  against  discrimination  in  housing 
(prohibited by the Flemish housing code). 
Plan against homelessness applicable in the five biggest cities in 
Belgium  and  more  recently  extended  to  three  smaller  cities 
aimed  at  providing  a  home  immediately  to  the  most  vulnerable 
homeless persons, include people of Roma origin.  

As  regards  the  situation  of  travellers  in  particular,  regional 
authorities  have  made  genuine  efforts  to  improve  the  quality  of 
camping  sites  and  at  the  same  time  they  have  adapted  their 
housing codes in order to accommodate for permanent dwelling 
on existing camp sites. 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The  management  of  the  Roma  integration  policy  is  the 
responsibility  of  three  different  actors  who  will  establish  a 
permanent  dialogue  between  them:  the  Ministry  for  Social 
Integration  (acting  as  NRCP),  the  interministerial  conference 
and (from 2016) the new National Roma Platform. 

This new structure, coming after a period of uncertainty, will help 
the implementation of Roma integration policy. The participation 
of  Roma  and  Roma  organisations  remains  a  challenge;  for  the 
moment  it  is  weak  but  the  situation  should  improve  with  the 
setting  up  of  the  national  platform.  Roma  community  should  be 
encouraged  to  participate  in  the  process,  especially  the  Roma 
youth, who demand to be involved. 
Cooperation with the Equality Body is functioning. 

MONITORING 

Ethnicity  is  not  a  variable  that  is  recorded  (not  legally 
authorised) and thus, there is currently no specific data on Roma 
population benefitting from social assistance. 
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

The impact of mainstream policy measures should be measured in 
order to ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 

FUNDING 

Existing possibilities under the ESIF funds for targeted measures 
to  support  inclusion  Roma  should  be  further  exploited  and 
effectively implemented. 

social 

poverty 

inclusion, 

combating 

For  the  period  2014-20  a  total  of  €407  mio  (€19  mio  ERDF, 
€340  mio  ESF  and  €48  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting 
and 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including,  but  not  limited  to  Roma).  Under  this  amount, 
Belgium also selected a new Roma-specific investment priority 
(explicitly  targeting  Roma)  with  a  total  allocation  of  €10  mio. 
Apart from social inclusion, investments under employment and 
education can also contribute to NRIS-implementation. 
ESF  Operational  Programmes  (OP)  2014-2020  have  been 
devised at the level of the federated entities (no federal OP for 
the period).  
All  OPs  have  a  ‘social  inclusion’  axis,  but  the  ESF  OP  for 
Flanders  is  the  only  OP  which  integrates  the  priority  ‘Socio-
economic  integration  of  marginalised  communities  such  as  the 
Roma’. It foresees to spend €10 mio ESF for this issue in 2014-
2020. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
The new structure of the NRCP and the national Roma platform are promising. Little progress is identified in the key areas. Given 
that  the  mainstream  welfare  system  is  in  place  and  functioning  in  Belgium,  focus  is  given  to  facilitating  access  to  it  through 
mediation. Meanwhile, the impact of mainstream policy measures should be measured in order to ensure that the needs of the Roma 
are met.Targeted measures should be further exploited by using the existing possibilities under the ESIF funds.  The involvement of 
Roma in design and implementation of relevant measures should be reinforced.  

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BULGARIA 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

tolerant 

Measures  focused  on  police  force  training,  prevention  of 
juvenile  delinquency,  promotion  of 
inter-ethnic 
relations  through  sport,  prevention  of  trafficking  in  human 
beings.  The  mainstream  program  for  reducing  domestic  and 
gender based violence pays attention to Roma women and girls. 
National Strategy ‘Vision for de-institutionalisation of children 
in Bulgaria’ is set as one of the national priorities (since 2010). 
Empowerment 
for 
is  covered  under  cultural 
preservation  of  Roma  heritage  and  support  for  young  talented 
Roma artists. 
NGO  projects  aiming  at  promoting  tolerance,  community 
development  in  marginalised  communities  and  fighting  hate 
speech in media.  

initiatives 

Robust  safeguards  and  legal  measures  should  be  introduced  to 
guarantee  the  practical  enforcement  of  anti-discrimination 
legislation  as  well  as  to  ensure  criminalisation  of  anti-Roma 
rhetoric, hate speech and hate crime6. 
Preventive measures to combat domestic violence and to protect 
children’  rights  are  to  be  accompanied  by  effective  support 
services for victims. Targets, funding and results of the projects 
should  be  provided.  Targeted  measures  to  combat  forced  or 
early marriages and adapted legal provisions are needed. 
The  overrepresentation  of  Roma  children  in  foster  care  should 
be tackled also by social assistance measures having a poverty 
reduction impact. 
Ensure better involvement of Roma representatives at the local 
level is necessary. Greater attention should be paid to the impact 
of  political  and  media  messages’  on 
inclusion  policies; 
measures should be implemented (targeting society as a whole) 
to  raise  awareness  of  the  benefits  of  Roma  integration  for 
everyone. 
Worrying increase in evictions of Roma in 2015 were identified, 
in particular before the municipal elections. Evictions should be 
avoided or executed on the basis of a judicial or administrative 
decision  which  would  also  include  due  guarantees  for  the 
evicted  persons 
(proposal  of  an  adequate  alternative 
accommodation) 

Mainstream  measures  under  the  National  Social  Inclusion 
policies  and  new 
‘Socio-economic 
integration  of  marginalised  communities  such  as  the  Roma’ 
under ESF. 

investment  priority 

The  impact  of  the  future  social  assistance  reform  on  Roma 
should  be  evaluated  to  ensure  coherence  between  mainstream 
and targeted poverty reduction measures. 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

New Strategy for the  Educational Integration of Children from 
Ethnic  Minorities  and  Pre-school  and  School  Education  Act. 
Important  provisions  outlaw  segregated  classes  and  extend  the 
focal  school  protection  to  kindergartens.  Support  measures 
include  extending  all  day  schooling,  new  teacher  profile  for 
support to students from ethnic minorities. 
NGOs initiatives from various funding sources. 
Measures  to  fight  segregation  and  reduce  early  school  leaving 
are financed through small grants of the Centre for Educational 
Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities. 
The  Operational  Program  Science  and  Education  for  Smart 
Growth  announced  its  first  targeted  calls  for  supporting 
educational  integration  at  all  levels.  Educational  infrastructure 
investments also aiming at increasing the access to quality and 
inclusive  education  are 
the  Operational 
Programme Regions in Growth. 

foreseen  under 

educational 

Institutional capacity, political support and appropriate funding, 
particularly  at  local  level,  have  to  be  ensured  for  the  new 
legislation and strategy to bring results. 
Targeted  measures  to  increase  the  participation  of  Roma 
children  in  inclusive  early  childhood  education  are  needed. 
Efforts should concentrate in removing the main barriers (poor 
infrastructure  and  kindergarten  capacity,  lack  of  trained  staff, 
hidden 
and  parents’ 
involvement)  Existing  NGO  initiatives  for  inclusive  education 
and  fighting  early  school  leaving  need  to  be  sustained  and 
considered  when  reforming  the  mainstream  system.  Targeted 
and  mainstream  measures  should  aim  at  desegregation  and  at 
preventing 
socio-economically 
disadvantaged  students,  including  Roma,  in  low  performing 
schools. 
Support  measures  for  reintegrating  children  of  seasonal 
migrants should be introduced. 

transportation 

concentration 

costs, 

the 

of 

6 The incorrect transposition of Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA has led to a lack of criminalisation of bias motivated 
hate crime and hate speech which particularly targeted the Roma community especially over the internet. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
EMPLOYMENT 

The  program  ‘Activation  of  the  inactive  people’  finances  the 
Roma labour mediators posts. 
First steps to outreach to the non-registered young people who 
are not in employment, education or training (NEETs) with the 
support of the youth mediators. 
Roma  students  explicitly  mentioned  under  the  graduated 
teachers’ support of the Youth Guarantee. 
Subsidised employment was provided by the National program 
‘From Social Assistance to Employment’. 

their  return 

Besides  the  health  and  employment  mediators,  Roma  are 
insufficiently represented in the public services. 
More efforts are needed to outreach the Roma NEETs by Youth 
Roma  mediators  and  effectively  support 
to 
education or integration into the labour market. 
The  lack  of  monitoring  of  discrimination  in  the  labour  market 
should be addressed. 
Opportunities  for  social  enterprises,  entrepreneurship,  reaching 
out to private and public employers should be better exploited. 
Job  creation  opportunities  in  rural  areas  including  those  under 
the  new  Rural  Development  Program  (RDP)  should  be 
considered  by  the  authorities  and  civil  representatives.  The 
eligibility  requirement  for  the  Local  Development  Strategies 
should  reflect  the  interests  of  vulnerable  groups,  including 
Roma. 
HEALTHCARE 

One  or  several  projects  are  reported  under  each  Council 
Recommendation measure in the field of health. 
Mobile  units  for  preventive  care  for  mothers  and  children 
mainly in areas with compact Roma population. 
National  Program  for  improving  maternal  and  child  health 
(2014-2020). 
Expansion of the health mediator network and support for Roma 
students’ enrolment in medical courses sustained. 
National Program for AIDS and TB Prevention. 

The biggest challenge remains in ensuring health insurance for 
all.  The  recent  amendment  of  the  Public  Health  Insurance  Act 
does not address this situation. The transitional grace period for 
re-entering  the  insurance  system  should  be  extended.  It  is 
necessary to assess and tackle the multiple difficulties socially-
disadvantaged  Roma  face  in  acquiring  health  insurance  and 
access to primary care. 
The  Health  Strategy’s  Action  Plan  for  vulnerable  groups  has 
expired and the authorities have to ensure that the activities are 
sustained. 
The  health  needs  of  vulnerable  (Roma)  women  and  children 
should  receive  special  attention.  More  efforts  are  needed 
regarding vaccination and medical check-ups. 
Filling  healthcare  vacancies  in  disadvantaged  areas  should  be 
ensured. 
The  awareness-raising  activities  targeting  both  the  healthcare 
professionals and Roma communities could be strengthened. 

HOUSING 

Integrated  social  housing  projects  financed  through  two  2007-
2013  Operational  Programmes  (Regional  Development  and 
Human  Resources  Development)  were  completed  in  Devnya, 
Vidin and Dupnitsa. 
for 
39  major  municipalities  are  eligible  beneficiaries 
‘Sustainable  and 
integrated  urban  development’  activities 
funded by the ESIF 2014-2020 Operational Programme Regions 
in Growth. Integrated social housing projects for disadvantaged 
groups can be financed. 

social 

housing 

(including 

Municipalities’  involvement  in  integrated  housing  projects 
remains to be ensured. Engagement with local actors, including 
the  representatives  of  Roma  communities,  targeted  work  and 
specific campaigns are of crucial importance. 
Evictions  should  be  accompanied  by  an  offer  of  adequate 
alternative 
through  ESIF 
investments).Opportunities  under  the  Operational  Programme 
Regions  in  Growth  (axis  ‘Sustainable  and  integrated  urban 
development’)  should  be  fully  used  to  help  implementation  of 
the  National  Strategy  for  Roma  Integration  within  these  39 
municipalities,  as  well  as  help  with  their  Regional  Strategies 
and  Municipal  Plans.  Municipalities  should  be  further  guided 
and  supported  to  initiate  adequate  housing  measures  aiming  at 
social  inclusion.  The  financing  and  development  of  detailed 
urban plans should be enhanced. 
The  biggest  challenge  remains  in  defining  a  solution  for  the 
allegedly  illegal  dwellings  in  which  many  Roma  live.  Eviction 
should be avoided or orders accompanied by a clear proposal of 
alternative  housing  (including  social  housing  through  ESIF 
investment). 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The NRCP is in charge of the cross-sectoral coordination of the 
NRIS implementation and monitoring, and involved in sectoral 
coordination and funding decisions. 
183 actualised local Roma integration plans. The ESF operation 
‘Integration’  will  invest  40  million  EUR  in  projects  for 
implementation  of  the  soft  measures  of  the  Municipal  Roma 
Integration Plans. 
NGO  representatives  participate  in  Monitoring  Committees  of 
the key EU funded programs for the period 2014 – 2020. 

Strengthening  the  role,  human  and  financial  resources  of  the 
NRCP and the Equality Body should be ensured. 
The  Action  Plan  (2015-2020)  for  the  implementation  of  NRIS 
should be adopted urgently. 
The  national  Roma  platform,  financed  by  the  Commission, 
should  contribute  to  better  involvement  with  civil  society  and 
all pertinent stakeholders. 
The local plans should not be a formalistic exercise and contain 
specific targets and funds. The resistance or lack of capacity of 
local  authorities  to  implement  integrated  sustainable  measures 
need to be addressed. 

MONITORING 

EU  grant  for  the  development  of  a  ‘SYSTEM  for  monitoring, 
evaluation and control of the implementation of the NRIS’. The 
National Statistical Office is partner of the project. Civil society 
is also involved.  
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

Monitoring and reporting should be improved. The new system 
should include outcome and impact indicators. It is also crucial 
that  the  deadline  for  the  ex-ante  conditionality  is  fully 
respected.7  
Monitoring  and  evaluation  of  the  impact  of  mainstream 
measures on Roma should be ensured. 

FUNDING 

In the 2014-20 period, a total of  €1.2 billion (€233 mio ERDF, 
€401  mio  ESF  and  €565  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including,  but  not  limited  to  Roma).  Under  this  amount 
Bulgaria also selected a new Roma-specific investment priority 
(explicitly targeting Roma) with a total allocation of €143 mio. 
Apart from social inclusion, investments under employment and 
education can also contribute to NRIS implementation. 

Complementarity  of  the  operations  targeting  or  mainstreaming 
Roma  inclusion  is  important  to  ensure  an  integrated  approach 
tackling  several  areas  where  a  sustainable  solution  is  crucially 
needed. 
The  local  level  implementation  of  the  NRIS  should  be 
strengthened  with  better  guidance  and  incentives  for  local 
authorities to take action. 
It  has  to  be  ensured  that  funds  are  used  in  line  with  the 
Commission  guidance  on  desegregation  and  under  no 
(further)  segregation  of 
to 
circumstances 
communities/educational facilities. 
Funding  opportunities  for  Roma  inclusion  under  EARDF  and 
ERDF should be better exploited. 
The  Interministerial  Working  Group  on  the  Roma  Integration 
Measures  (financed  by  ESIF)  should  intensify  its  activities  for 
ensuring coherence between the various ESIF programmes' calls 
supporting social inclusion. 

to  contribute 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Bulgaria successfully mobilised 2014-2020 ESI funding for targeted calls under the education and human ressources programs of 
the European Social Fund. This should allow them to advance with the implementation of the soft measures of the Municipal Roma 
Action  Plans.  Securing  funding  for  the  implementation  of  coherent  integrated  and  sustainable  projects  addressing  the  housing 
situation remains a challenge. A better coordination mechanism among stakeholders is needed as well as an Action Plan for the 
implementation of the NRIS (2015-2020). The adopted legislation in education is a first step towards an inclusive reform of the 
educational system. However, - desegregation, early school leaving and providing effective access to quality education for Roma 
children  needs  to  be  enhanced  and  monitored.  The  inclusion  of  Roma  in  the  labour  market  is  still  weak  and  health  insurance 
remains an issue. It is important to ensure that mainstream reforms support the NRIS objectives. To this end a robust monitoring, 
coordination  and  reporting  mechanism  is  crucially  needed  in  order  to  steer  progress  from  the  national  to  the  local  level.  Key 
priorities to be forcefully addressed are related to the housing, the access to basic utilities and services, the practical enforcement of 
anti-discrimination  legislation,  the  provision  of  quality  inclusive  education,  the  local  level  actors’  capacity  building  and  better 
coordination of all stakeholders and funding opportunities. 

7 Building a robust monitoring system by the end of 2016 is also an obligation in order to meet the precondition linked to the 
use of Investment Priority 9.2 — Socio-economic integration of marginalised communities such as the Roma   

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
CYPRUS 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN  

No  specific  measures  have  been  taken  or  reported  by  the 
Cypriot government. 

Activities aimed at fighting stereotyping and prejudices against 
Roma should be considered. 

POVERTY REDUCTION  

No  specific  measures  have  been  taken  or  reported  by  the 
Cypriot government. 

The ROMA population is covered by the general measures. 
It  should  be  mentioned  that  the  project  on  the  Zones  of 
education priority (ZEP), under its new form will also be a tool 
for combatting social exclusion. 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

A  slightly  larger  number  of  Roma  pupils  attend  pre-primary, 
primary and secondary education. 
The  implementation  of  the  programme  ‘School  and  Social 
Inclusion  Actions’  starting  from  the  school  year  2015-2016 
aims  to  continue  growing  and  improving  the  institution  of 
Zones of Educational Priority (ZEP). 
Development  of  educational  programmes  for  the  intensive 
instruction of Greek as a second language. 

The institution of the Zones of Educational Priority schools has 
contributed  to  the  reduction  of  dropout  rates  of  concerned 
pupils. This initiative is not specifically directed towards Roma, 
but rather the general population. 
The  main  issue  is  the  lack  of  reliable  estimation  of  the  Roma 
population and its educational needs. 

EMPLOYMENT 

Roma  are  targeted  within  the  mainstream  measures  for  the 
unemployed people. 
There is no formal or systematic assessment with regards Roma 
accessibility to employment services. 

The main issue is the lack of a reliable estimation of the Roma 
population  as  well  as  the  linguistic  competency  of  the  Roma 
population for Greek (an issue on which no data is available) as 
a main obstacle to their integration in the labour market.  
Previous Commission reports identified as a gap that the impact 
of policies should be measured in order to ensure that the needs 
of  the  Roma  people  are  met.  However,  this  gap  is  not  tackled 
yet. 

HEALTHCARE 

Access to healthcare is offered to all Cypriots including Roma. 
Provision of free children vaccination. 
Social  programmes  run  at  local  level  contribute  to  the 
sensitisation  and  awareness  raising  for  health  issues  among 
Roma population. 

The  impact  of  health  policy  measures  should  be  measured  in 
order to ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 

Prefabricated  houses  have  been  built  to  accommodate  Roma 
families.  The  Ministry  of  Interior  is  responsible  for  the 
maintenance  costs  of  housing  units  currently  inhabited  by  the 
Roma  population.  These  are  20  Turkish-  Cypriot  houses  in 
Limassol and 25 in Paphos. 

The  difficult  housing  situation  of  Roma  continues  to  deserve 
further attention as the situation has not changed recently. 
There is also a problem of segregation as accommodations built 
for Roma are located in remote, isolated rural areas. 

HOUSING 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, CIVIL AND LOCAL ACTORS, EQUALITY BODIES, TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION) 

The NRCP is the Cyprus Social Welfare (Ministry of Labor and 
Social Insurance). 
The NRCP has not been informed or involved in any decision-
making processes. 
There is no organised Roma civil society in Cyprus. 

The  NRCP  should  be  more  involved  in  the  decision  making 
process  regarding  Roma  issues.  The  resources  (time,  financial, 
human)  to  enable  the  NRCP  to  carry  out  its  coordination  and 
monitoring role should be reinforced. 
The NRCP should actively pursue cooperation with the Cypriot 
Equality Body. 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No information provided 

MONITORING 

Monitoring  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  and  activities 
undertaken  on  Roma  should  be  considered.  Measures 
addressed specifically to Roma women would be welcome. 

FUNDING 

Further  use  of  existing  possibilities  under  the  EU  funds  to 
support Roma inclusion should be considered. 

For the 2014-20 period a total of €56 mio (€15 mio ERDF, €27 
mio ESF and €14 mio EAFRD) has been allocated to promoting 
social inclusion, combating poverty and discrimination, targeting 
action to the socially disadvantaged (including, but not limited to 
Roma). 
Although  there  is no  specific  funding for  Roma  under  the  ESIF 
Operational  Programmes,  specific  Investment  Priorities  (IP)  for 
combatting discrimination which are part of the ESF Operational 
Programmes  2014-20  could  cater  for  the  needs  that  may  arise 
regarding Roma. Main funding may come from schemes for the 
employment of marginalised groups, funding for social economy 
and  also  under  schemes  to  promote  social  inclusion  (mainly 
through the project on the Zones of education priority) 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Cyprus  has  made  slight  progress  in  addressing  the  commitments  taken  through  the  European  Framework  and  the  2013  Council 
Recommendation on effective Roma integration measures, in particular in the area of education. Meanwhile, the difficult housing 
situation  of  Roma  continues  to  deserve  further  attention  as  the  situation  has  not  changed  recently.The  main  issue  is  the  lack  of 
reliable estimation of the Roma population and of its needs. The impact of policy measures on the Roma should be measured in 
order to ensure that their needs are met. 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CROATIA 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Free legal aid provided, awareness raising campaigns on human 
trafficking,  training  to  civil  servants  police  officers  on  anti-
discrimination  legislation,  hate  crime,  promoting  cultural  and 
human rights of Roma, support for maintenance of the memorial 
Roma cemetery, support of memorial day for Roma victims of 
the  Holocaust,  round  table  on  the  status  of  Roma  women  in 
decision  making  processes  with  national  and  international 
networks,  their  protection  as  well  as  protection  of  Roma 
children are addressed under mainstream measures and projects.  

The  effective  practical  enforcement  of  antidiscrimination 
legislation  needs  to  be  ensured  as  well  as  the  correct 
criminalisation  of  anti-Roma  rhetoric,  hate  speech  and  hate 
crime.  Desegregation  measures  in  the  areas  of  education  and 
housing  should  be  properly  implemented  and  accompanied  by 
awareness-raising activities and appropriate training. 
Strengthened support for multiple disadvantaged Roma women 
through  gender  mainstreaming  in  education,  employment  and 
health  policies  should  be  considered  as  well  as  training  and 
information on human rights protection. Preventive measures to 
combat  domestic  violence  and  protect  children  rights are  to  be 
accompanied by effective support services for victims.  

POVERTY REDUCTION 

Few  regional  and  local  action  plans  have  been  developed, 
research on widespread risk of poverty among children. 

Further work is needed to engage remaining regional and local 
authorities  to  develope  their  Action  plans.  It  is  important  to 
ensure  complementarity  of  interventions,  monitoring  their 
impact  and  ensure  that  the  services  reach  the  most  vulnerable. 
To this end mapping and strengthening the territorial aspects of 
policy making should focus on the most deprived regions. 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

learning  support  provided 

Focus  on  pre-school  education,  providing  special  assistance  in 
learning  Croatian  language,  involvement  of  parents  in  the 
process, 
through  after-school 
programmes,  Roma  Schools  Assistants  and  extracurricular 
activities,  scholarships  and  dormitories  and  scholarships 
provided to support Roma participation in secondary education, 
planned investments in improving the infrastructure. 

to  expand 

investments 

Promoting  participation  of  Roma  children 
in  pre-school 
education  is  seen  as  positive.  It  needs  to  be  ensured  that  pre-
school  education  as  well  as  primary  education  is  provided  in 
quality and inclusive settings. This process should be reinforced 
through  planned 
the  capacity  of 
kindergartens  and  primary  schools  using  national  funding. 
Engagement of all actors including municipalities, teachers, and 
parents is needed. 
Further  efforts  are  also  needed  to  address  the  low  attendance 
and  poor  attainment  of  Roma  children  in  primary  schools. 
Transition  between  elementary  and  upper  secondary  schools 
should  be  facilitated  by  providing  career  guidance  and 
mentoring. Promoting vocational training should also be further 
prioritised.  

EMPLOYMENT 

Roma  are  targeted  under  the  mainstream  active  labour  market 
measures implemented by the public work scheme targeting the 
long-term unemployed and counselling services. 

Roma participation in the Croatian labour market remains very 
weak.  Ongoing  public  employment  service  reform  should 
deploy  a  more  targeted  approach.  Innovative  measures  such  as 
promoting  social  enterprises  and  Roma  entrepreneurship, 
to  private  employers  or  promoting  social 
reaching  out 
consideration 
in  public  procurement  could  be  exploited. 
Employment effects of mainstream measures should be closely 
monitored. 

HEALTHCARE 

ESIF  funded  projects  targeting  the  access  to  primary  and 
emergency  care,  with  focus  on  isolated  and  deprived  areas, 
health national campaign on drug prevention. 

Greater  focus  on  tackling  the  health  inequalities  of  Roma,  in 
particular in deprived areas, with a focus on vulnerable women 
and children is needed. 
The  health  mediators  (also  of  Roma  origin)  would  help  in  this 
reinforced. 
process  and 
Awareness-raising  activities 
the  healthcare 
professionals and the Roma community should be considered. 

their  role  should  be 
targeting  both 

therefore 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
HOUSING 

ESIF  funded  projects 
to  physical, 
economic  and  social  regeneration  of  deprived  urban  and  rural 
areas. 

the  support 

targeting 

Housing interventions should be part of an integrated approach 
with the long-term objective of desegregation. Regularisation of 
land and houses as a legal precondition for access to EU funded 
infrastructure interventions is needed.  

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

NRCP  involved  in  design,  implementation  and  monitoring  of 
the  policies.  It  provides  building  capacity  support  through 
various  grants.  It  cooperates  with  Roma  Councils  of  national 
minorities,  Roma  and  pro-Roma  organisations,  and  local 
authorities. Regular dialogues and exchanges established with 4 
offices of Ombudsman (Equality body). 

An  effective,  transparent  coordination  mechanism  among  all 
stakeholders  should  be  promoted.  The  NRCP  should  play  a 
stronger  role  in  this  process.  Its  visibility  towards  regions  as 
well  as  to  civil  society  organisations  is  crucial.  This  process 
should  be  facilitated  through  the  National  Roma  Platform. 
Significant barriers such as lack of capacity, sustainable funding 
of  civil  society  and  local  authorities  to  implement  integrated 
sustainable measures should be addressed. 

MONITORING 

through  working  groups  of 

Monitoring 
the  National 
Commission  for  the  Monitoring  of  the  implementation  of  the 
National  Roma  Integration  Strategy  consisting  of  Roma  and 
representatives of line ministries. Internal monitoring report also 
includes information received from aprox. 66 municipalities and 
Roma and pro-Roma organisations. Monitoring of the rights of 
ethnic  minorities,  including  Roma,  various  studies,  researches 
conducted. 

Efficiency  and  sustainability  of  measures  should  be  closely 
monitored.  Specific  impact  indicators  should  be  developed. 
Mapping  as  a  precondition  for  better  targeting  of  interventions 
is needed. 

FUNDING 

In the 2014-2020 a total of €971 mio (€357mio ERDF, €328mio 
ESF  and  €287mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to  promoting 
social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  discrimination, 
targeting action to the socially disadvantaged (including, but not 
limited  to  Roma).  The  Investment  Priority  on  the  socio-
economic  integration  of  marginalised  communities,  such  as 
Roma was not selected. 

There  is  no  Roma  specific  targeted  funding  under  the  ESIF 
funds  in  the  current  programming  period.  It  is  therefore 
essential  that  the  Roma  inclusion  interventions  mainstreamed 
into  all  relevant  policy  areas  are  closely  monitored  and  their 
impact  on  the  situation  of  Roma  properly  assessed  and 
translated into policy design. All existing possibilities to support 
Roma  inclusion  under  the  ERDF  and  EAFRD  should  also  be 
exploited and used effectively. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Positive steps have been taken in the area of education, in particular in promoting pre-school education. However, greater efforts 
are needed to ensure the effective implementation through more systematic measures in all key areas. Better coordination between 
national and local levels and among all stakeholders is needed. Available ESIF funds should be effectively used in order to reach 
Roma beneficiaries. A mechanism for monitoring and assessing the impact of mainstream and targeted measures should be put in 
place. 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CZECH REPUBLIC 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Adoption  of  legislation  fostering  an  equal  access  for  Roma 
children  to  mainstream  education.  Anti-hate  crime  campaign, 
projects  fighting  extremism  and  ethnic  intolerance,  cultural 
events, promoting access to justice facilitated by the legislative 
proposal  for  free/affordable  legal  aid  and  by  the  reduction  of 
court  fees,  trainings  of  judges,  layers,  mediators  and  local 
government  officials  on  anti-discrimination  law.  Protection  of 
Roma  children  and  women  is  addressed  under  the  mainstream 
measures.  Roma  participation  in  advisory  bodies  of  the 
Government.  

The adoption of pro-inclusive legislation in education is seen as 
positive. Enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation needs to 
be  continued  to  gain  concrete  improvement  in  practice. 
Effective  measures  should  be  taken  to  fight  discriminatory 
practices in the areas of employment, healthcare and housing. 
Persisting  key  challenges  to  be  addressed  are  the  fight  against 
stereotypes,  prejudices  as  well  as  the  criminalisation  of  anti-
Roma rhetoric and hate speech. Sensitising measures on benefits 
of  Roma  inclusion  towards  general  public  should  be  further 
exploited. 
A constructive solution to ‘Lety’ case should be found. 
Strengthened support for multiple disadvantaged Roma women 
through  gender  mainstreaming  in  education,  employment, 
health  policies  should  be  considered  as  well  as  trainings  and 
information on human rights protection. Preventive measures to 
combat  domestic  violence  and  to  protect  children  rights  are  to 
be accompanied by effective support services for victims. 

Targeted interventions through a coordinated approach with the 
use of ESIF funds in 70 of the most deprived and most  Roma 
populated  socially  excluded  localities  are  planned  within  the 
2014-2020  programming  period.  Strategic  plans  of  social 
inclusion were developed in 5 regions. 

It  is  important  to  ensure  that  the  services  reach  the  most 
vulnerable.  It  is  also  important  to  ensure  complementarity  of 
interventions  and  monitoring  of  impact.  Further  work  on 
engaging  those  regions  which  have  not  developed  strategic 
approach to Roma integration is needed. 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Amendment  of  the  School  Act  promoting  inclusive  education 
by  providing  supportive  measures  to  children  with  educational 
needs in mainstream education. Introduction of compulsory last 
pre-school year. Improvement of diagnosis measures. 
Supporting  participation  of  Roma  children 
in  pre-school 
education  through  planned  investments  to  expand  the  capacity 
of kindergartens. 
Roma participation in the School Inspection control activities. 
Scholarships  to  socially  disadvantaged  Roma  students  at 
secondary/high  schools.  Free  school  lunches  for  disadvantaged 
children and parental support 

Promising  pro-inclusive  measures  were  adopted.  Their 
implementation  will  need  to  be  secured  through  proper 
monitoring,  sustainable  funding  and  by  providing  adequate 
teachers  education  in  order  for  the  new  legislation  to  bring 
tangible  change.  Engagement  with  all  actors, 
including 
municipalities, school headmasters, teachers, diagnostic centres, 
parents and general public in this process is essential. 
Ensuring  access  and  promoting  participation  of  Roma  children 
in quality inclusive pre-school education needs to be reinforced, 
also 
expanding 
through 
kindergartens. 
Preventing  early  school  leaving  should  be  further  addressed. 
Transition  between  elementary  and  upper  secondary  schools 
should  be  facilitated  by  providing  career  guidance  and 
mentoring.  Vocational  education  and  training  programmes 
should be more responsive to the labour market needs in order 
to ensure a smooth transition into employment.  

the  planned 

investments 

in 

EMPLOYMENT 

Roma are targeted under the standard active employment policy 
tools  (counselling,  activation  and  requalification  measures, 
publicly  beneficial  jobs).  Specific  employment  programme  for 
Roma financed by ESF and implemented by the Labour Office 
in  Ústí  nad  Labem  region  ‘Socially  excluded  localities  in  the 
Usti Region’. 

Roma  remain  one  of  the  most  underrepresented  groups  of  the 
labour  market.  The  capacity  of  public  employment  services 
should  be  further  developed  for  individualised  services  for 
Roma  job  seekers.  Effects  of  employment  measures  should  be 
closely monitored. 
Innovative  measures  such  as  promoting  social  enterprises  and 
Roma  entrepreneurship, reaching  out to private  employers,  use 
of  social  consideration  in  public  procurement  do  not  appear 
sufficiently exploited. 
Fighting  and  monitoring  discrimination  in  the  labour  market 
needs  to  be  ensured,  also  by  working  closely  with  Labour 
Inspection. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
HEALTHCARE 

Mainstream  measures,  included  in  the  National  Strategy  for 
Health. 

Greater  focus  on  tackling  the  health  inequalities  of  Roma,  in 
particular  in  socially  excluded  localities  is  needed.  Specific 
attention  needs  to  be  paid  to  Roma  women  and  children. 
Measures improving acces to vaccination programmes, medical 
checks up, prenatal and postnatal care, family planning, sexual 
and  reproductive  healthcare  should  be  taken.  Sustainability  of 
activities and monitoring of outcomes should be ensured. 
Health mediators (also of Roma origin) should help this process 
and therefore their role should be reinforced.. Awareness-raising 
activities  targeting  both  the  healthcare  professionals  and  the 
Roma  community  should  be  strengthened.  The  lack  of  GPs  in 
disadvantaged regions should be addressed. 

HOUSING 

Adoption  of  the  Strategy  for  Social  Housing  2015-2025  which 
will be the basis for the Social Housing Law to be approved in 
2017. Social housing construction to be supported by the ERDF 
in the framework of social inclusion programmes. 

Housing interventions should be part of an integrated approach. 
Discriminatory  unlawful  practices  by  some  landlords  towards 
Roma, in particular in socially excluded localities (renting low-
quality,  overpriced,  residential  hostels,  abusing  state  housing 
benefits  for  the  socially  vulnerable  Roma)  which  leads  to 
residential  segregation  needs  to  be  addressed.  Desegregation 
measures 
should  be 
accompanied by an offer of adequate alternative social housing 
(including  through  ESIF  investments).  An  adequate  system  of 
supervising  and  monitoring  the  construction,  maintenance  and 
upgrading  of  existing  flats  and  control  mechanism  over  the 
distribution of social housing should be put in place in order to 
ensure  that  Roma  are  not  excluded  but  enjoy  equal  access  to 
available quality social housing opportunities. 

reinforced.  Evictions 

should  be 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

NRCP  involvement  in  coordination,  design  and  monitoring  of 
policies.  Close  cooperation  with 
the  Agency  for  Social 
Inclusion,  methodological  support  given  to  regions,  financial 
support  provided 
the  Coordinators  for  Roma  Affairs 
established  by  the  regional  authorities  and  to  the  field  work. 
Increase of human resources capacity of the NRCP. 
Involvement  of  the  NGOs  in  consultation  process  on  policies 
such  as  the  Action  Plan  for  Inclusive  Education.  There  is  well 
established cooperation with Equality body.  

to 

Effective, 
transparent  coordination  mechanism  among  all 
stakeholders  should  be  promoted.  This  process  should  be 
facilitated through the National Roma Platform. 
Significant barriers such as lack of capacity, sustainable funding 
of  the  civil  society  as  well  as  resistance  of  local  authorities  to 
implement  integrated  sustainable  measures  need  to  be  further 
addressed. 

MONITORING 

Internal  evaluation  of  the  Roma  Integration  Strategy  by  the 
NRCP  in  close  cooperation  with  Committee  for  cooperation 
with  local  authorities,  the  Committee  for  monitoring,  the 
Agency for Social inclusion, Working Groups for International 
Cooperation.  Monitoring  is  also  ensured  through  reports  by 
Regional Coordinators for Roma Affairs. 
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

Monitoring and reporting of the impact of mainstream measures 
on  Roma  should  also  be  ensured.  Stronger  involvement  of  the 
NGOs and other stakeholders is needed, as well as providing a 
dedicated budget for external evaluation. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FUNDING 

In  the  2014-2020  a  total  of  €1.9  bio  (€1  bio  ERDF,  €825  mio 
ESF and €108 mio of EAFRD) has been allocated to promoting 
social  inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any  discrimination, 
targeting action to the socially disadvantaged (including, but not 
limited to Roma). Under this amount, the Czech Republic also 
selected  a  new  Roma-specific  investment  priority  (explicitly 
targeting Roma) with a total allocation of €200 mio. Apart from 
social  inclusion,  investments  under  employment  and  education 
can also contribute to NRIS-implementation. 

Complementarity  of  funds  and 
introduction  of  specific 
investment  priority for  the  integration  of disadvantaged groups 
such as Roma  is seen as positive. It allows for explicit but not 
exclusive targeting and better monitoring of results. 
It  is  important  to  ensure  that  the  planned  interventions  under 
2014-2020  programming  period  effectively  reach  the  most 
vulnerable.To  this  end,  the  quality  and  result  oriented  projects 
need to be launched without any delay. It also has to be ensured 
that ESIF funds are used for desegregation and do not contribute 
to  (further)  segregation  of  communities/educational  facilities 
(following the Commission guidance on desegregation). 
Existing  possibilities  to  support  Roma  inclusion  under  the 
European Agricultural Funds for Rural Development should be 
better exploited. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Positive  progress  has  been  made  to  promote  equal  access  of  Roma  children  to  inclusive  mainstream  education.  Targeted 
interventions through a coordinated approach with the use of ESIF funds in selected socially excluded localities is also seen as a 
positive step forward. Stronger efforts are needed to fight against discrimination in all areas . The adequate measures need to be 
taken to improve the access of Roma to the labour market, health services and social housing.  Significant barriers such as lack of 
capacity, sustainable funding of the civil society as well as the resistance of local authorities to implement integrated sustainable 
measures need to be further addressed. 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
ESTONIA 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Mainstream and targeted measures have been reported. 
Measures on awareness raising through projects such as: visual-
anthropological project ‘Estonian Roma community through the 
eyes of Roma children’ or the exhibition ‘We, the Roma’. The 
organisation of an annual Remembrance ceremony on the day of 
Roma holocaust on 2nd of August. Adoption of the strategy of 
Children  and  Families  2012-2020  and  the  adoption  of  the  new 
Child Protection Act. 

It  should  be  clear  to  what  extent  Roma  women  benefit  from  the 
mainstream policies and measures. 
Results  of  projects  specifically  addressed  to  Roma  women  and 
benefits of mainstreaming for Roma women should be monitored 
and properly followed-up. 

There  are  no  targeted  measures  to  address  the  poverty  rate 
among Roma.  

Monitoring and assessing the impact of the mainstream measures 
on Roma is recommended. 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Measures  provided  under  the  National  Educational  Reform 
which are also accessible to Roma students. Measures aiming at 
the  improvement  of  quality  of  study  counselling  for  children 
from families of newly arrived immigrants and Roma people. 

Assessing the impact of the mainstream educational measures on 
Roma should be considered. To that extent, evidence gathering on 
educational outcomes and the impact of these measures on Roma 
children should be developed. 

EMPLOYMENT 

Employment  measures  are  provided  through  the  mainstream 
active  labour  market  policies  in  line  with  the  2012-2017 
Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Social Affairs. 

to  ensure 

targeted  approach 

increased 
A 
participation  of  Roma  to  mainstream  employment  measures 
should be considered. 
Monitoring  the  impact  of  the  mainstream  employment  measures 
on Roma should be ensured. 

the  access  and 

Support  is  provided  through  the  mainstream  healthcare  policy 
measures.  The  National  Health  Plan  does  not  foresee  any 
measures targeting Roma explicitly.  

The  impact  of  health  policy  measures  should  be  measured  in 
order to ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 

HEALTHCARE 

Support  provided 
measures.  

through 

the  National  housing  policy 

Effective  monitoring  mechanism  to  assess  the  extent  of  the 
impact of the mainstream measures on housing for Roma should 
be considered. 

HOUSING 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The  NRCP  coordinates  and  monitors  the  process  of  Roma 
Inclusion  at  the  national  level.  The  NRCP  put  in  place  the 
National  Roma  Integration  Council  which  brings  together 
representatives from different ministries, local governments and 
civil society organisations. 

the  National  Roma  Contact  Point  is 

Further  empowering 
recommended. 
Consider training for Roma civil society to effectively contribute 
to the monitoring and implementation of the policy measures on 
Roma. 
The  coordination  between  the  NRCP  and  the  equality  bodies 
should be improved. 

Monitoring  is  performed  through  an  integration  monitoring 
survey every 3-4 years. The most recent one was released in the 
spring of 2015. 
Annual integration report to assess the progress of the measures 
of the National Strategy ‘Integrating Estonia 2020’.  

Evidence-gathering as a basis for systematic monitoring should be 
developed to measure the impact of mainstream policy measures 
on Roma. 
Involvement  of  the  civil  society  organisations  in  the  monitoring 
of the policy measures on Roma should be better addressed.  

MONITORING 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FUNDING 

In  the  2014-20  period  a  total  of  €469  mio  (€254  mio  ERDF, 
€134  mio  ESF  and  €81  mio  EAFRD).    has  been  allocated  to 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
promoting  social 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including,  but  not  limited  to  Roma).  There  is  no  specific 
funding  explicitly  targeting  Roma  under  the  ESIF  Operational 
Programmes.  The  Investment  Priority  on  the  socio-economic 
integration  of  marginalised  communities,  such  as  Roma,  was 
not selected. 

There is no Roma-specific targeted funding under the ESIF funds 
in  the  current  programming  period.  It  is  therefore  essential  that 
the  Roma  inclusion  interventions  mainstreamed  into  all  relevant 
policy  areas  are  closely  monitored  and  their  impact  on  the 
situation  of  Roma  properly  assessed  and  translated  into  policy 
design 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Some progress has been made concerning the coordination and cooperation aspects through the establishment of the National Roma 
Integration  Council  which  brings  together  representatives  from  different  ministries,  local  governments  and  Civil  Society 
Organisations.. Better involvement of civil society in the monitoring of policy measures should be ensured.  
Besides  the  areas  of  antidiscrimination  and  culture,  Estonia  reports  predominantly  mainstream  measures.  It  is  important  that  the 
Roma inclusion interventions mainstreamed into all relevant policy areas are closely monitored and their impact on the situation of 
Roma properly assessed and translated into policy design. Further empowering the National Roma Contact Point is recommended. 
Assessing the impact of the mainstream educational measures on Roma should be considered. 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
FINLAND 

KEY ELEMENTS 
New  antidiscrimination  legislation,  training  of  stakeholders  in 
designing equality promotion plans 
Capacity-building for NGOs representing minorities 
Transnational workshop on anti-Roma discrimination 
Anti-discrimination  campaigns  targeting  employers,  study  on 
monitoring  of  labour  market  discrimination,  Diversity  Charter 
employers-network 
Survey on hate speech and harassment 
Government  action  plan  for  gender  equality  2012-2015,  study 
on violence experienced by Roma women   
Several  measures  targeting  and  protecting  Roma  women 
encompassed in a strategic framework 

HORIZONTAL MEASURES: 
FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN 
ASSESSMENT 
Sustainable funding for antidiscrimination and capacity  building, 
including for Roma youth should be ensured. 
Correct  criminalisation  of  anti-Roma  rhetoric,  hate  speech  and 
hate crime should be ensured.8 
Safeguards 
in 
employment effectively reach Roma and their extension to other 
policy fields could reinforce results. 
It  should  be  ensured  that  lessons  learnt  from  surveys  guide 
development of actions and feed reporting. 
More focus on implementation and reporting of results of tailor-
made  measures  targeting  Roma  women  and  similar  measures 
supporting their employment are needed.  

that  antidiscrimination  measures 

to  ensure 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Introduction of compulsory final year preschool education 
Focus  on  cooperation  between  schools  and  Roma  families, 
fighting  early  school-leaving,  supporting  transition  between 
different stages of education and to employment 
State  subsidies  and  professional  support  for  local  education 
providers on early childhood and primary education for Roma 
Culturally  sensitive  school  curriculum  designed  with  Roma 
involvement 
Support to Romani language activities, preservation of cultural 
heritage,  teaching  and  research  of  Romani  language/culture  at 
Helsinki University 

Compulsory preschool education is an important first step to fight 
early  school  leaving,  but  it  should  be  combined  with  early 
targeted  support  throughout  school  life  to  avoid  Roma  children 
leaving school early and to improve their educational attainment. 
The  positive  role  of  the  Roma  advisory  board  should  be  further 
exploited 
further 
in  planning  and  extending  support 
municipalities. 
Developed  culturally  sensitive  services,  curricula,  other  tools 
should be widely disseminated.  

to 

EMPLOYMENT 

interventions 

(on  employability,  counselling, 
Mainstream 
training,  cooperation  with  local  businesses  including  under 
Youth Guarantee) 
Adult education services with Roma support staff and survey on 
education needs of adult Roma 
Targeted  support  programme  to  enable  Roma  labour  market 
entry with participation of social, employment, housing officers 
and education actors at local, regional and national levels. 
Multidisciplinary  approach  based  on  cooperation  between 
multiple actors, involvement of private sector 

Safeguards  to  ensure  that  mainstream  employment  measures 
reach  Roma  should  be  introduced  and  their  impact  on  Roma 
should be monitored and reported. 
Awareness-raising  of  the  use  of  available  EU  funding  could 
enhance employability of Roma. 
Targeted  small-scale  employment  programmes  should  be 
transferred to further municipalities, and measures to support self-
employment and entrepreneurship could be considered to increase 
employment, especially among young Roma. 

New focus on health and welfare of multicultural population 
Study  on  experiences  of  discrimination  in  social  and  health 
services and planned Roma wellbeing study 
Developing  culturally  sensitive  health  and  social  services  for 
elderly Roma 

Funding and implementation of planned Roma wellbeing study is 
to be ensured. 
Information  on  the  needs  and  challenges  should  be  used  to 
develop  targeted  approaches  and  safeguards  to  ensure  that  all 
Roma groups have access to quality health and social services. 

HEALTHCARE 

Small-scale housing counselling and mediation project 
Training for local and civil actors on practices to promote equal 
opportunities in housing 
Survey  on  discrimination  experience  of  Roma  in  housing  and 
intra-community relationships 

Non-discriminatory  access  to  affordable  housing  for  all  Roma 
groups  is increasingly  a  challenge  that  should  be  addressed  with 
explicit measures and sustainable funding based on lessons learnt 
from surveys. 

HOUSING 

8 The incorrect transposition of Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA has led to a lack of criminalisation of bias motivated 
hate speech especially over the internet. 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

(local 

The  coordination  mechanism  consists  of  national  and  regional 
advisory  boards  on  Romani  affairs’  and  a  growing  number  of 
start-up  Roma 
municipal  Roma  action  groups 
organisations, voluntary organizations, Roma volunteers)  
Annual  consultation  days  on  NRIS  implementation,  good 
practices, funding possibilities 
Youth  participation  measures  (participatory  methods,  Roma 
youth club, Roma youth council) 
Transnational  civil  cooperation  projects  at  the  local  level  with 
Romanian  municipalities  targeting  mobile  Roma  (community 
development, gender equality, youth participation) 
National Roma Platform has a strong gender dimension and link 
to NRIS monitoring and reporting. 

Strong  focus  on  promotion  of  Roma  (including  youth)  public 
participation,  capacity  building  and  empowerment  should  be 
maintained for sustainable results. 
Successful  initiatives,  such  as  municipal  Roma  action  groups, 
Roma youth councils and clubs should be multiplied. 
The  resources  (time,  financial,  human)  to  enable  the  NRCP  to 
carry  out  its  coordination  and  monitoring  role  should  be 
reinforced. 
Close  cooperation  with  between  the  NRCP  and  the  equality 
body should be ensured. 

National Discrimination monitoring group 
Use of surveys to monitor discrimination 
Information  sources  for  monitoring  include  hearings,  studies 
and surveys, qualitative action research 

Reintroduction  of  working  group  to  coordinate  and  monitor 
NRIS implementation should be considered to ensure necessary 
resources for the overview and monitoring of the NRIS. 
Lessons  learnt  from  surveys  and  studies  should  be  fed  into 
reporting and policy review. 

MONITORING 

FUNDING 

Strong  involvement  of  Roma  in  line  with  the  partnership 
principle. 
Lack  of  sustainable  funding  for  upscaling  and  transferring 
successful  pilot  measures  and  for  appropriate  coordination  and 
monitoring  remains  a  challenge  to  be  tackled,  including  by 
better use of existing possibilities under the EU funds for Roma 
inclusion. 

In  the  2014-20  period  a  total  of  €248mio  (€100  mio  ESF,  and 
€148  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to  promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any  discrimination,  targeting 
action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged  (including,  but not limited 
to  Roma).  There  is  no  specific  funding  explicitly  targeting 
Roma under the ESIF Operational Programmes. The Investment 
Priority  on  the  socio-economic  integration  of  marginalised 
communities, such as Roma was not selected. ERDF OPs do not 
invest in housing, health and education infrastructure and have 
no  specific  measures  targeting  Roma.  Apart  from  social 
inclusion,  investments  under  employment  and  education  can 
also contribute to NRIS-implementation. 
Several  NRIS  measures  have  been  funded  by  a  non-profit 
association  with  a  legal  monopoly  statute  (Slot  Machine 
Association  RAY),  including  support  to  (pro)Roma  NGOs 
networking and empowerment, projects targeting Roma women 
and elderly. The fund allocation is guided by an agreement with 
the NRCP.  

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Finland’s approach to Roma integration puts the focus on targeted measures and less on how  effective equal access for Roma to 
mainstream measures is ensured. Roma-targeted measures are mainly in the areas of education, monitoring, antidiscrimination and 
empowerment, while in antidiscrimination broader, mainstream measures are also presented. Finland made steps to address several 
gaps  highlighted  in  the  2014  assessment  (e.g.  monitoring  and  tackling  discrimination  in  housing,  improving  enforcement  of 
antidiscrimination  laws,  supporting  Roma  empowerment).  Positive  steps  taken  in  the  areas  of  education,  fighting  (multiple) 
discrimination,  local  action  and  empowerment  should  be  recognised.  The  growing  focus  on  Roma  (youth)  participation  and  the 
strong emphasis on gender aspects, culturally sensitive services are clear strengths to be maintained. Lessons learnt from surveys 
and studies should guide development of concrete actions with sustainable funding. Resources for monitoring should be ensured to 
feed better  reporting on  achieved results. Upscaling  and  transferring  successful  actions  and  ensuring  their  sustainable  funding  is 
key  in  order  to  address  remaining  challenges  regarding  Roma  access  to  employment,  healthcare  and  housing.  The  resources 
enabling the NRCP to carry out its coordination and monitoring role should be reinforced. 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
FRANCE 
(Gens du voyage are included under umbrella term Roma) 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN  

HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

to 

the  overall 

the  constitution, 

In  cases  of  proven  discrimination  or  exclusion,  sanction  falls 
legislative  framework  penalising  any 
within 
discrimination  between  natural  and  legal  persons  on  the  basis 
the  Criminal  Code.  (According 
the 
Government  addresses  the  issue  of  ‘Roma’ regardless  of  their 
ethnic origin). 
‘Romcivic’ project for inclusion and citizenship of people living 
in  slums  and  shanty  towns,  partly  financed  by  NRCP.  This 
project  is  run  with  the  help  of  a  team  of  24  young  volunteers, 
including 18 from Eastern Europe and living in settlements. 
Activities  on  active  citizenship  of  people  living  in  slums, 
promoting  social  and  economic  participation  in  society  and 
developing mediation in the fight against inequalities. 

Activities aimed at fighting discrimination, stereotyping media 
coverage, prejudices against Roma and combating anti-Roma 
rhetoric and hate speech are to be further addressed.  Preventing 
forced evictions of Roma requires better enforcement of anti-
discrimination legislation and existing safeguards. 
Although  the  constitutional  framework  does  not  facilitate  the 
collection  or  use  of  ethnic  data,  it  would  be  useful  to  know 
which policies/financing directly benefit Roma and Travellers. 
It should also be clear to what extent Roma women benefit from 
the  mainstream  policies  and  measures.  Measures  addressed 
specifically to Roma women should be considered. 

POVERTY REDUCTION  

The  multi-annual  plan  for  combating  poverty  (2015  –  2017). 
Roma  and  travellers  (gens  du  voyage)  are  targeted  within  this 
mainstream  measure  for  poor  people.  12  million  euros  have 
been  allocated  for  3  years  for  a  multiannual  plan  against 
poverty. In 2015, 55 projects were funded. 
The government has undertaken a policy of support to specific 
actions  targeting  people  living  in  illegal  settlements  and 
travellers. 
In  addition,  NRCP  identified  148  local  integration  projects 
targeting inhabitants of slums. 

The impact of policy measures should be measured in order to 
ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. The main challenge 
within the context of the plan for combating poverty is to assess 
whether and to what extent the measures reach the Roma. 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Projects financed by the NRCP within the context of the multi-
annual  plan  for  combating  poverty,  allowing  more  than  1000 
children to attend school. 

The impact of policy measures should be measured in order to 
ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 
Actions in early childhood education could be intensified. 
Measures  directly  targeted  to  the  Roma  should  also  be 
considered. 
The  reform  of  compulsory  education  (  2013-2017)  is  giving  a 
high  priority  to  early  childhood  education  including  the 
participation  of  children  under  3  years.  Whilst  first  positive 
results  are  observed,  efforts  could  be  intensified  to  meet  the 
quantitative and qualitative objectives. 

EMPLOYMENT 

Roma  are  targeted  within  the  mainstream  measures  for  the 
unemployed people. 
Projects  are  financed  by  the  NRCP  within  the  context  of  the 
multi-annual  plan  for  combating  poverty  and  local  integration 
schemes (709 people, out of a little more than 4000 involved in 
46 projects, were employed.) 

Local integration projects are promising; however, the impact of 
employment  policy  measures  should  be  measured  in  order  to 
ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 
Further  efforts  are  needed  in  order  to  ensure  sustainability  of  
the projects in place.  
Discrimination in access to the labour market should be firmly 
tackled with a concrete set of responsive measures.  

HEALTHCARE 

In  the  context  of  integration  schemes  introduced  locally  of  the 
43 projects for which data has been collected in October 2015, 
2315  people  benefited  from  accompanying  measures  of  health 
out of 4825 persons concerned by these projects (around 48 %). 

The  impact  of  health  policy  measures  should  be  measured  in 
order to ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 
Targeted  measures  to  address  the  specific  health  needs  of  the 
Roma  people,  in  particular  those  of  vulnerable  women  and 
children should be introduced. 
Poor  and  unhealthy  living  conditions  in  settlements  as  well  as 
evictions have a significant negative impact on Roma health. 
Administrative  procedures  make  the  Roma’s  access  to  health 
difficult. Roma health mediators could improve the situation. 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HOUSING 

The numbers of halting areas dedicated to travelers is constantly 
increasing.   
Within  the  context  of  the  multi-annual  plan  for  combating 
poverty, more than 2106 people have accessed housing. 
ADOMA (a public company in charge of housing for migrants) 
provides  support  to  volunteers  in  social  engineering  with  the 
aim of upgrading slums. 

The  AIOS  platform  (Home,  Information,  Orientation,  and 
Tracking) allows the diagnosis and individualised monitoring of 
inhabitants of the settlements. Active in seven settlements in Ile 
de  France  in  2015,  this  platform  will  be  deployed  throughout 
the region in 2016. 
However,  the  difficult  housing  situation  of  Roma  continues  to 
deserve  further  attention.  Evictions  should  be  accompanied  by 
an  offer  of  adequate  alternative  social  housing  (including 
through  ESIF  investments).  .  .  Specific  attention  should  be 
focused  on  affordability  and  tenure  security,  whilst  keeping  an 
integrated approach to remove/alleviate the poverty of Roma  is 
strongly recommended.  

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The  NRCP  is  the  DIHAL  (Délégation  interministérielle  pour 
l’habitat et l’accès au logement). 
The  authorities  also  maintain  a  dynamic  and  innovative  action 
in  the  context  of  transnational  cooperation,  especially  in 
decentralised  cooperation  with  Romania.  The  projects 
conducted in the area of social inclusion within the framework 
of decentralized cooperation cover quite diverse actions.  
The  new  National  Consultative  Commission  of  Travellers  was 
installed  by  the  Minister  of  Housing  and  held  its  first  working 
meeting in December 2015. 

the  DIHAL  assumes 

the  national  policy  accompanying 

the  management  and 
Since  2012 
organisation  of 
the 
elimination  of  unauthorised  settlements,  ensuring  that  all 
stakeholders are included in the process. 
There is an overall need for better involvement and cooperation 
among all relevant stakeholders in the process. Roma need to be 
involved  in  the  design  of  Roma  inclusion  policies  at  national 
level but also in the monitoring phase of these policies. 
There  is  a  transnational  cooperation  between  France  and  other 
Member  States,  mainly  Romania.  The  sustainability  of  such 
initiatives is a key issue to be particulary addressed in order to 
ensure  a  successful  and  durable  impact  of  the  measures 
foreseen. 

MONITORING 

Monitoring  of  the  policy  is  ensured  by  the  NRCP  which 
initiated  two  studies  in  2015  on  the  incentives  and  obstacles 
encountered in the path to integration of migrants who lived in 
the slums.  
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

Monitoring  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  and  activities 
undertaken  on  Roma  should  be  prioritised.  The  results  of  this 
monitoring should be fed into the policy review 

FUNDING 

During the 2014-20 period a total of €3.2 bio has been allocated 
to  promoting  social  inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including, but not limited to Roma). Under this amount, France 
also  selected  a  new  Roma-specific 
investment  priority 
(explicitly  targeting  Roma)  with  a  total  allocation  of  €8  mio. 
Apart from social inclusion, investments under employment and 
education can also contribute to NRIS-implementation. 

A  mechanism  should  be  put in  place to  measure  the  impact  of 
EU funds in supporting Roma integration 
Further  use  of  existing  possibilities  under  the  EU  funds  to 
support Roma inclusion should be considered. 
EU  funds  should  contribute    to  desegregation  and  under  no 
circumstances  should  contribute  to  (further)  segregation  of 
communities/educational  facilities  (following  the  Commission 
guidance on desegregation). 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Poor  and  unhealthy  living  conditions  in  settlements  as  well  as  evictions  have  a  significant  negative  impact  on  Roma  living 
conditions. However, the new plan for combating poverty and locally implemented projects targeting people living in shanty towns 
should help to improve the situation of Roma. The impact of mainstream policy measures should be measured in order to ensure 
that the needs of the Roma are met. An appropriate monitoring mechanism should be put in place and lead to a policy review. 

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GERMANY 
(Sinti are included under the umbrella term Roma) 

HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

A broad range of activities are taken on fighting discrimination 
and anti-Gypsyism, including financial support provided to the 
Documentation Centre of German Roma and Sinti and to 9 pilot 
projects  under  the  new  federal  program  against  racism  and 
right-wing extremism.  
There  are  also  plenty  of  awareness  raising  and  sensitising 
measures  made  available  to  service  providers,  teachers,  police 
officers  etc.  Intercultural  dialogue  and  understanding  is  also 
promoted  through  school  education.  Support  is  provided  to 
Roma  youth. Roma  women  and  children  are  protected  through 
mainstream but also specific measures. 

Activities  aimed  at  fighting  discrimination,  stereotyping  media 
coverage,  prejudices  against  Roma  and  combating  anti-Roma 
rhetoric  and  hate  speech  are  welcomed.  Public  authorities  and 
representatives  of  Roma  communities  should  continue  to  work 
together.  The  findings  of  the  extensive  ongoing  discrimination 
survey conducted by the Equality body should be translated into 
policy recommendations.  

Community development projects promoting integration. 

It  is  important  to  ensure  that  the  services  reach  the  most 
vulnerable. 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

formal  and  non-formal 
Mainstream  measures  providing 
education,  number  of  initiatives/projects  at  federal  and  in 
particular  national  levels  (Länder)  promoting  early  childhood 
education  and  care,  increasing  attendance  and  attainment  of 
Roma  children  in  primary  education,  providing  language 
support,  parental  support,  preventing  early  school  leaving, 
promoting  vocational 
training,  promoting  diversity  and 
multiculturalism  in  all  educational  levels.  Recommendations 
‘Together  for  a  better  education’  developed  by  the  Working 
group on education of Sinti and Roma. 

Intensified  efforts  in  education  as  a  crucial  element  for 
supporting  inclusion.  Starting  support  as  early  as  possible  by 
investing  in  early  childhood  education  and  care  infrastructure 
and extending the availability of places are seen as positive, as 
is the extension of all day places in schools. Recommendations 
of  ‘Together  for  better  education’  should  be  reflected  and 
translated  into  practice.  Evidence  gathering  on  educational 
outcomes  and  the  impact  of  these  measures  on  Roma  children 
should be developed. 

EMPLOYMENT 

Roma  are  targeted  under  mainstream  measures.  Individual, 
holistic  approaches  are  applied  by  the  employment  services 
Trainings,  language  support,  counselling  services  and  are 
carried  out.  Intercultural  competence  trainings  are  provided  to 
the  civil  servants  working  in  public  employment  services. 
Specific  attention  is  paid  to  school  career  guidance  and  youth. 
In  addition,  there  are  also  some  regional  ESF  projects 
their 
specifically 
employability. 

targeting  Roma  aiming  at 

improving 

Using  the  individual,  holistic  approach,  focusing  on  school-to-
work  transitions  for  vulnerable  groups,  promoting  vocational 
training  should  improve  the  employment  prospects  also  for 
Roma.  Evidence  gathering  should  be  developed  to  assess  the 
impact of these measures on Roma. 

HEALTHCARE 

Roma can benefit from mainstream policy measures. In respect 
those  without  registration  and  not  having  healthcare 
of 
insurance  coverage,  the  focus  is  on  preventive,  protective 
measures, in particular vaccination of children, family planning 
and health awareness raising activities, also with a great support 
from the NGO sector. 

The  access  of  Roma  (not  being  German  nationals)  to  health  is 
limited  due  to  the  lack  of  registration/healthcare  insurance 
coverage.  Further  efforts  are  needed 
these 
vulnerable  people,  also  through  communities’  participation  in 
health and social care initiatives. 

to  outreach 

HOUSING 

Social  housing  provided  at  state  and  municipal  level.  ‘Nostel’ 
project  concept  providing 
temporary  accommodation  for 
families  with  children  in  emergency  situation,  aiming  to  also 
help homeless Roma families. Project on inclusion of Roma as 
tenants,  promoting  tenants’  rights,  preventing  termination  of 
in 
contracts  or  evictions.  Further 
social 
investments 
regeneration  of  urban  deprived  areas  under 
the  urban 
development strategies. 

the  frame  of 

While  the  ERDF  in  Germany  cannot  grant  support  to  housing 
within 
the  2014-2020  programing  period, 
investments in social regeneration of urban deprived areas under 
the urban development strategies can be funded. 
Further  attention  needs  to  be  paid  to  eliminate  discriminatory 
practices, in particular in the area of private rental housing. 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

Involvement  of  the  NRCP  in  coordination  of  reports.  New 
‘Advisory  Council  for  concerns  of  German  Sinti  and  Roma’ 
established in the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Ongoing process 
of several states (Länder) to include Sinti and Roma as minority 
in  the  constitution.  The  cooperation  with  the  Equality  Body  is 
well established. 
Transnational  cooperation  between  DE,  RO  and  BG 
municipalities, providing technical and administrative assistance 
in project design and development. 

Enforcing  the  institutional  capacity  of  the  National  Roma 
Contact  Point  should  be  considered,  it  could  also  contribute  to 
its visibility towards relevant stakeholders. 
The  activities  with  respect  to  empowerment  of  Roma  civil 
society organisations and Roma youth are seen as positive and 
should be continued. 

Study ‘IMA’ by Berlin, reports by NRCP, surveys. 

MONITORING 

Evidence  gathering  should  be  developed  to  enable  assessment 
of  the  situation  and  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  and 
targeted activities on the Roma.  

FUNDING 

Roma inclusion has been supported by national and ESIF funds 
under various types of mainstream measures. In the 2014-2020 
period of total of €5.2 bio (€596 mio ERDF, €2.5 bio ESF, €2.1 
bio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to  promoting  social  inclusion, 
combating  poverty  and  any  discrimination,  targeting  action  to 
the socially disadvantaged people (including, but not limited to 
the  socio-economic 
Roma).  The  Investment  Priority  on 
integration of marginalised communities, such as Roma was not 
selected. 

Existing possibilities under the ESIF funds to support inclusion 
Roma should be further exploited and effectively implemented. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
There  are  increased  efforts  in  all  key  areas.  However,  the  lack  of  more  precise  knowledge  on  the  situation  of  Roma  makes  it 
difficult to evaluate the social and economic effects of the policy measures (mainstream and targeted) taken. Therefore, evidence 
gathering should be developed. Support provided for the empowerment of Roma civil society organisations as well as Roma youth 
is seen as very positive. The findings of the extensive ongoing discrimination survey conducted by the Equality body should be 
translated into policy recommendations. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
GREECE 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Fighting  stereotypes  and  prejudices  through  promoting  culture 
(films, stories), project ‘With Roma at the Museum’. Protection 
of  Roma  women  and  children  addressed  under  the  mainstream 
measures. 

The  effective  practical  enforcement  of  antidiscrimination 
legislation needs to be ensured. Many of the Greek citizens of 
Roma  origin  lack  civil  registration.  This  creates  barriers  to 
enjoyment  of  their  basic  civil  rights.  The  same  applies  to 
Roma  children.  These  issues  need  to  be  urgently  addressed. 
Desegregation  measures,  in  the  areas  of  education  and 
housing, should be properly implemented and accompanied by 
awareness-raising activities and appropriate training. 
Activities  aimed  at  fighting  stereotyping  media  coverage, 
prejudices against Roma as well as legal measures aimed at a 
correct criminalisation of  anti-Roma rhetoric and hate speech 
should be taken. 
Sensitising cultural competence measures and training on anti-
discrimination  legislation  need  to  be  provided  to  civil 
servants,  police  officers  and  other  service  providers.  Support 
for multiple disadvantaged Roma women and Roma children, 
should also be strengthened within the Greek child protection 
system. Further work with families should continue.  

POVERTY REDUCTION 

Support structures for vulnerable groups, including Roma 

It  is  important  to  ensure  that  the  services  reach  the  most 
vulnerable.  It  is  also  important  to  ensure  complementarity  of 
interventions and monitoring of impact. To this end mapping 
as  a  precondition  for  better  targeting  of  interventions  should 
be put in place.  

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Mainstream inclusion measures such as combatting early school 
leaving,  fighting  low-achievement,  and  developing  educational 
and training structures. Focus on early childhood education and 
care as well as enrolment of children in primary schools. Policy 
incentives such as tax benefits provided to low income parents. 
Specific  Roma  education  programmes  supervised  by  the 
Aristotle  University,  Thessaloniki  and 
the  National  & 
Kapodistrian University of Athens 

Systematic  measures  are  needed  to  reinforce  inclusion  of 
Roma  children  in  all  levels  of  education,  including  early 
childhood  education  and  care,  preschool  and  primary 
education. Proper monitoring of participation levels as well as 
early  school  leaving  and  low-achievement  is  necessary  with 
provision  of  support  measures  where  needed.  Desegregation 
measures  need  to  be  put  in  place.  Vocational  education  and 
training should be prioritised. 

EMPLOYMENT 

Mainstream  measures,  as  well  as  targeted  projects  to  improve 
Roma’ 
counselling, 
continuation of ‘Support Centres for Roma and other vulnerable 
groups’), seasonal jobs. 

employment  opportunities 

through 

Integrated  interventions  are  needed  to  facilitate  the  access  of 
Roma  to  the  formal  labour  market  and  to  fight  undeclared 
work,  under  which  most  Roma  fall  under.  Promoting  Roma 
entrepreneurship should be prioritised.  Attention is needed to 
fight discriminatory practices in the labour market. 

HEALTHCARE 

Continuation  of  ‘Support  Centres  for  Roma  and  other 
vulnerable  groups’  providing  first  degree  health  services, 
counselling services, vaccinations. 

Greater focus in ensuring health insurance coverage is needed. 
This  issue  is  partly  linked  to  the  lack  of  Roma  registration. 
Tackling health inequalities of Roma, in particular in the most 
deprived areas should be prioritised, in addition to improving 
local accessibility of health services in these regions. Further 
attention  should  be  paid  to  Roma  women  and  children.  The 
health  mediators  (also  of  Roma  origin)  should  assist  in  this 
process  and 
their  role  should  be  reinforced. 
Awareness-raising  activities  targeting  both  the  healthcare 
professionals and the Roma community should also be put in 
place. 

therefore 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HOUSING 

in 

Investments 
living  conditions  and  basic 
infrastructure in the Regions of Thessaly and Eastern Macedonia 
and Thrace. 

improving 

Housing  interventions should be  part of  an  integrated  approach 
with  the  long-term  objective  of  desegregation.  Relocation  of 
Roma  settlements  and  evictions  should  be  accompanied  by 
adequate  measures,  including  offering  adequate  alternative 
housing.  Engagement  of  local  actor  with  the  representatives  of 
Roma communities in this process is of crucial importance.  

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

NRCP coordination role with regions, line ministries and Roma 
representatives. 
Cooperation  between  the  NRCP  and  the  Equality  Body 
established. 

transparent  coordination  mechanism  among  all 
Effective, 
stakeholders  should  be  promoted.  The  NRCP  should  play  a 
stronger  role  in  this  process.  Its  visibility  towards  regions  as 
well  as  to  civil  society  organisations  is  crucial.  This  process 
should  be  facilitated  through  the  National  Roma  Platform. 
Significant barriers such as lack of capacity, sustainable funding 
of  civil  society  and  local  authorities  to  implement  integrated 
sustainable measures should be addressed. 

The  monitoring  mechanism  is  designed  but  not  yet  fully 
operational. The mapping exercise is completed. 

The mechanism should become fully operational to monitor the 
impact of the measures. To this end the results of the mapping 
exercise shall be used to better target the interventions 

MONITORING 

Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

FUNDING 

targeting 

For  the  period  2014-2020  period  a  total  of  €1.3  bio  (approx. 
€239  mio  ERDF,  €787  mio  ESF  and  €300  mio  EAFRD)  has 
been allocated to promoting social inclusion, combating poverty 
and  discrimination, 
socially 
disadvantaged (including, but not limited to Roma). 
Roma  are  explicitly  but  not  exclusively  targeted  under  the 
regional  programmes  when  it  comes  to  social  inclusion, 
education  and  employment  measures.  Greece  selected  the  new 
Roma-specific  investment  priority  (explicitly  targeting  Roma) 
with a total allocation of €73 mio. 

actions 

the 

to 

Fragmented  and  scattered  projects  proved  to  have  no  impact. 
Therefore,  it  is  necessary  to  use  funding  to  develop  integrated 
policy  measures,  and 
sustainable 
implementation. Monitoring is a crucial part of this process. 

their  effective  and 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
The situation remains almost unchanged. No new measures following the Recommendation or new initiatives have been taken since 
2014  in  order  to  translate  the  strategy  into  concrete  actions  which  would  lead  to  the  improvement  of  the  situation  of  Roma. 
Interventions  are  limited  and  fragmented,  bringing  no  sustainable  results.  The  situation  in  all  areas  is  deterioriating.  Systematic, 
long-term policies carried out within an integrated approach, effective use of available funding, monitoring and evaluation of the 
impact, efficient coordination between national and local level, involvement and constructive dialogue with Roma civil society  are 
crucial to move the process of Roma integration forward.  

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HUNGARY 

HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 
FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN  

Multiple  targeted  measures  (planned)  in  the  areas  of  culture, 
history,  education,  Roma  empowerment,  capacity  building  and 
media. 
No  specific  antidiscrimination  measures  targeting  non-Roma 
reported. 
Ongoing/planned  prevention  programs 
target  child  abuse, 
human  trafficking,  domestic  violence,  community  conflict  and 
prostitution. 

Main  challenge  identified  is  the  persisting  segregation  in 
education and housing due to the lack of proper implementation 
of  anti-discrimination  legislation,  further  aggravated  through 
recent  legislative  changes  and  national  case-law.  Prevention  of 
forced  evictions  of  Roma  requires  better  enforcement  of  anti-
discrimination legislation and existing safeguards. 
Robust safeguards and measures (targeted at non-Roma) should 
be  introduced  to  fight  discrimination  and  prevent  indirect 
discrimination; to fight hate speech and hate crime.9  
Overrepresentation of Roma children in institutional care should 
be tackled (including by fighting indirect discrimination through 
providing clear guidance for child protection professionals) and 
tailored  and  age-appropriate  assistance  to  child  victims  of 
trafficking (especially in state care) should be improved. 
Whilst targeting of Roma women especially in employment and 
health is welcome, a more systematic targeting of Roma women 
with sufficient funding and safeguards is needed in each of the 
substantive policy areas, as well as in the fight against violence. 
Planned measure sensitising civil servants on equality should be 
stepped up 
POVERTY REDUCTION  

Ongoing/planned  measures 
promoting child welfare 
Mainstream measures (central utility cost reductions and public 
work) 

fighting  child  poverty  and 

Extending  positive  measures  (Sure  Start  children  houses,  free 
school  meals,  Roma  foster  parents),  and  ensuring  that  social 
assistance effectively reaches the most vulnerable can contribute 
to fighting child poverty.   
An  evaluation should  be  performed  on  the  impact  on  Roma  of 
general  measures  on  poverty  reduction  and  of  the  revisions  to 
the  rules  of  eligibility  for  child  benefit  and  the  change  in 
definition of ‘multiple disadvantaged’ (used in targeting.) 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Compulsory  kindergarten  from  age  3  and  measures  aimed  at 
improving  quality,  equity  and  inclusiveness  of  education  with 
new commitment under 2014-20 ESIF OPs to desegregation and 
inclusive education 
New early school-leaving strategy 
Targeted  and  mainstream  scholarships  and  college  support, 
After-school activities, second chance programs  
Pilot  teacher  training  program  with  focus  on  working  with 
disadvantaged/ Roma children 

Segregation  should  be  tackled  through  legislation,  inclusive 
reforms  of  public  education  and  explicit  measures  with 
appropriate  funding.  The  impact  on  segregation  trends  and 
Roma school attainment should be monitored and reported. The 
education  system  is  unable  to  reduce  the  impact  of  socio-
economic disadvantages on educational outcomes. 
The  early school leaving strategy still lacks a formally adopted 
action  plan.  Once  adopted 
the  action  plan  should  be 
implemented  in  close  coordination  with  all  concerned  sectors. 
Lowered  age  for  compulsory  school  attendance  and  the  likely 
reduction  of  the  number  of  places  following  the  change  of  the 
school  maintaining  authority  of  vocational  secondary  schools 
may  negatively  impact  early  school-leaving  among  Roma.  A 
involving  all  players,  besides 
‘whole-school’  approach, 
adequate  preparation  and  incentives  for  teachers  could  help 
promote inclusive education and reduce early school-leaving.  
Specific  teacher  training  centred  on  learners’  diversity  and 
positive  targeted  incentives  promoting  access  of  multiple 
disadvantaged children  to  kindergarten  should  be upscaled  and 
extended to all levels of education. 

9 The narrow interpretation of national provisions which transpose Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA criminalising bias motivated hate 
speech and hate crime led to high number of cases without indictments, confirming the need to strengthen the existing legal framework 
by a provision allowing for taking into account the racist and xenophobic motivation of any offence. 

43 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
EMPLOYMENT 

Multiple  mainstream  measures  (extension  of  the  Public  Work 
Scheme,  social  economy,  Youth  Guarantee,  Path  to  Work 
Programme, Job Protection Act, , family tax credit). 
Smaller scale targeted measures (employment of Roma women 
in  public  services,  improving  the  employability  of  inactive 
Roma, social cooperatives) 

Safeguards  ensuring  effective  access  for  Roma  to  mainstream 
measures,  monitoring  and  reporting  their  impact  on  Roma 
should be considered. Active labour market policy measures are 
entirely co-financed by ESF. National budget is oriented mostly 
towards  the  public  work  scheme,  which  does  not  seem  to 
sufficiently  promote  the  reintegration  into  the  open  labour 
market of those on the margins, nor to reduce poverty. 
Lack  of  measures  on  monitoring  and  fighting  discrimination 
against Roma in the labour market should be addressed. 
Planned  social  clauses  in  public  procurement  and  coordinated 
intervention of ESIFs including the rural development program 
could improve Roma employment. 

HEALTHCARE 

Various mainstream public health initiatives are reported, some 
targeting  disadvantaged  regions,    girls/women,  and  only  one 
targeting Roma 
Health development programs in education institutions 
Targeted  training  for  healthcare  professionals  on  handling 
cultural differences in treatment 

Sustainability  of  activities  and  monitoring  of  outcomes  should 
be ensured. 
Targeting  Roma  under  mainstream  awareness,  screening, 
vaccination programs and assessing their impact on Roma, and 
improved  Roma  involvement  could  bring  results.  Further 
measures  to  provide  basic  medical  services  addressing  the 
health  needs  of  vulnerable  Roma  women  and  children  would 
improve results. 
In  spite  of  the  positive  targeted  measures  to  fill  the  General 
Practitioners’ vacancies  in  the  least  developed  areas,  there  still 
remain  many  areas  lacking  access  to  any  primary  healthcare 
service.  

HOUSING 

EU-funded pilot housing measures were launched in the 2007-
13 period. 
interventions  are  reported  for  2014-20 
Several  planned 
(complex  settlement  program,  social  urban  rehabilitation 
program, integrated territorial programs). 

infrastructure  and  human 

Positive  elements  to  be  further  increased  include  focus  on 
desegregation,  lagging  regions  and  those  at  risk;  integrated 
resource 
approach  combining 
development; Roma involvement. 
More  attention  should  be  given  to  providing  adequate  housing 
in  an  integrated  setting;  legalising  housing;  preparatory  and 
accompanying  measures  as  part  of  a  long-term  approach; 
monitoring  and  reporting  the  impact  on  desegregation  and 
access to quality services for Roma. 
Available allocations under 2014-20 ESIF should be used to the 
full.  Proper  targeting  and  coordination  between  stakeholders 
(policy makers, managing authorities, local actors) are essential. 
Evictions  should  be  accompanied  by  an  offer  of  adequate 
alternative 
through  ESIF 
investments).  Replacement  of  central  housing  maintenance 
subsidy  with  measures  targeting  the  middle  class  (home  loan 
support) has a negative impact on Roma. 

(including 

housing 

social 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

involved 

NRCP  is  in  charge  of  cross-sectoral  coordination  of  NRIS 
implementation  and  monitoring  and 
in  sectoral 
coordination and funding decisions. 
Consultative  bodies  are  in  place.  Roma  representation  takes 
place  through  the  national  Roma  self-government.  There  are 
regular consultations between the NRCP and the Equality Body. 
Revision  and  monitoring  of  local  equal  opportunity  plans  are 
ongoing.  District  social  inclusion  roundtables  to  coordinate 
local equal opportunity plans. 
New  Economic  Forum  to  involve  economic  actors  in  NRIS-
implementation. 
Hungary will receive Commission support to set up or develop a 
National Roma Platform. 

all 

civil 

society 

Transparency  of  the  work  of  consultative  bodies  and  inclusive 
involvement  of 
the 
(pro)Roma 
implementation  and  monitoring  should  be  ensured,  including 
under the national Roma platform. 
Funding, 
local  equal 
opportunity  and  desegregation  plans  and  capacity  building  of 
local authorities need to be ensured. 
The  participation  of  the  Roma  in  the  participatory  regional 
planning should be ensured and evaluated. 

implementation  and  monitoring  of 

in 

44 

 
 
 
  
 
 
MONITORING 

NRIS monitoring and indicator system in place 
Ongoing  development  of  data  collection  methods,  national 
segregation database, poverty mapping 
Good practice collection and dissemination for local planning 
Desegregation indicators in 2014-20 ESIF OPs 
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

Monitoring and reporting of the impact of mainstream measures 
on  Roma  should  also  be  ensured.  The  link  between  program 
monitoring  and  monitoring  of  societal  changes  could  be 
developed.  The  outcomes  of  the  monitoring  system  should  be 
channelled into policy review. 

FUNDING 

In the 2014-20 period a total of €2.4 billion (€863 mio ERDF, 
€1.1 billion  ESF  and  €402 mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including, but not limited to Roma). 
Under this amount Hungary (in three Operational Programmes) 
also  selected  a  new  Roma-specific 
investment  priority 
(explicitly targeting Roma) with a total allocation of €470 mio. 
Apart from social inclusion, investments under employment and 
education can also contribute to NRIS-implementation.  

to 

to  contribute 

Improved  reporting  on  the  results  achieved  could  drive  policy 
review.  Evaluation  of  interventions  targeting  or  mainstreaming 
Roma  inclusion  should  be  carried  out  to  ensure  proper 
monitoring  of  funds  used  for  Roma  inclusion.  It  has  to  be 
ensured  that  funds  are  used  for  desegregation  and  under  no 
(further)  segregation  of 
circumstances 
communities/educational  facilities  (following  the  Commission 
guidance on desegregation). 
The  planned  multi-fund  integrated  approach  and  the  combined 
use  of  territorial  targeting  of  the  most  disadvantaged  areas, 
explicit  Roma  targeting  and  specific  support  targeting  women 
and children are positive, but should be further reinforced. 
Delays in the coordinated implementation of the program for the 
least developed micro-regions should be prevented to ensure the 
effectiveness of support schemes.  
The active involvement of Roma representatives in the work of 
the Monitoring Committees could be further supported through 
capacity building.  
Existing  possibilities  to  support  Roma  inclusion  under  the 
EAFRD  (interventions  on  social  enterprises,  development  of 
basic  services  in  rural  areas)  and  the  community-led  local 
development 
rural 
communities should be better exploited for Roma inclusion. 

(LEADER)  method 

for  mobilising 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Hungary’s approach to Roma integration includes a high number of measures covering all areas of the Council Recommendation, 
with most measures in education, employment and poverty reduction. With the exception of antidiscrimination, in all other areas a 
larger number of mainstream measures are complemented by a smaller number of targeted measures.  
Hungary has taken important steps especially in the areas of monitoring (data collection, steps towards segregation database  and 
poverty  mapping)  and  funding  (planning  multi-fund  integrated  approaches  using  territorial  targeting  and  aiming  to  address 
segregation  in  housing)  ,  but  the  monitoring  and  reporting  of  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  on  Roma  could  be  further 
improved. Mainstream measures continue to go against the aims and thus undermine the results of the strategy. Key priorities to be 
more forcefully addressed include better enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation, systemic desegregation measures, fighting 
and monitoring discrimination, anti-Gypsyism, hate speech and hate crime through specific actions targeting key stakeholders and 
society  as  a  whole.  Inclusive  involvement  of  broader  pro(Roma)  civil  society  in  implementation  and  monitoring  needs  to  be 
ensured. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IRELAND 
(Travellers are included under umbrella term Roma) 

HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Training  sessions  for  the  police  force  providing  them  with 
instructions  on  strategies  to  be  employed  for  the  Roma 
population with a specific focus on integration, equal protection 
and  mutual  respect.  Ethnic  Liaison  Officers  and  Roma 
representative involvement. 
Annual Traveller Pride Week which aims to promote Traveller 
culture and achievements including to the wider population. 
Positive action to assist under-represented groups to participate 
in tertiary education.  

to  ensure 

legal  measures 

strengthening  of 

The discrimination of Travellers persists in all areas of daily life 
including  employment,  education  and  housing.  The  lack  of 
recognition  of  Travellers’  ethnicity  raises  concerns  about  their 
sufficient  protection  under  anti-discrimination 
legislation. 
Moreover, Ireland does not seem to have targeted any actions to 
combat antigypsyism in the form of hate speech and hate crime. 
The 
the 
criminalisation of anti-Roma hate speech and hate crime as well 
as the monitoring of effective practical enforcement of criminal 
laws need to be ensured in all policy areas. 
Awareness  raising  campaigns  targeting  the  settled  population 
should be considered in response to local protests. 
In view of the over-representation of Traveller families in child 
care proceedings, the Child and Family Agency ‘Tusla’ should 
delegate a team to liaise with representatives and leaders of the 
Travelling  community  in  devising  a  child  protection  strategy 
aimed at Travellers. 
Furthermore,  the  Irish  authorities  should  roll  out  training 
programmes  for  social  workers/child  protection  workers  in 
consultation  with  ethnic  minority  representative  groups  and 
community  leaders,  with  a  particular  focus  on  discrimination 
and  empowerment  of  minority  populations,  including  children. 
Foster  families  should  actively  be  sought  from  the  Roma  and 
Traveller population. 

No measures are reported 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Mainstream  action  plan  for  educational  inclusion  addressing 
early school leaving and educational disadvantages ‘Delivering 
Equality  of  Opportunity 
in  Schools’  (DEIS,  from  early 
childhood to secondary education). 
Schools are paid additional funding for students who have been 
identified as coming from the Traveller community. 
The  Education  Admission  School  Bill  of  2015  aims  at 
preventing refusals of enrolment on the grounds of ethnicity or 
race. 
National Plan for Equity in Access to Higher Education (2015-
2019) for the first time sets a target to increase the participation 
of Travellers. 
Civil  society  led  initiatives  (Parent  Child  Home  Programme, 
Teacher Training, Post Primary Education manual etc.) 

Further  monitor  and  evaluate  the  impact  of  mainstreaming 
actions  on  the  level  of  educational  attainment  of  Traveller 
pupils. Concerted efforts need to be made to raise the awareness 
of teachers to the effects of discrimination and the promotion of 
equal treatment. 
Promote  access  to  early  childhood  education  and  support 
transition  between  the different  levels of  education10  for  Roma 
and Traveller children, including by targeted actions and closer 
parental involvement. 
Ensure sustainability for pertinent civil society initiatives. 

10  According  to  the  2011  Census,  1%  of  Travellers  complete  third  level  education,  with  90%  of  Travellers  finishing 
education before the age of 17.    

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
EMPLOYMENT 

The  ‘Special  Initiative  for  Travellers’  employment  scheme 
supports  job  search,  job  coaching,  individual  support  and 
assistance with enterprise development. 
Mainstream  measures  supporting  second  chance  education 
‘Back  to  Education  Allowance’,  self-employment  ‘Back  to 
Work  Enterprise  Allowance’,  social  enterprises  ‘Community 
training  support  and  ‘Community 
Services  Programme’, 
Employment’ etc. 
Grants  of  the  Department  of  Children  and  Youth  Affairs 
promoting  youth  work  initiatives,  including  targeted  at  young 
Travellers 

The  impact  of  these  measures  on  Travellers  and  Roma  should 
be evaluated and an evidence-based analysis provided. 
The unemployment rate among Travellers is still very high and 
the  promotion  of 
in 
integrated  and 
education-housing-employment-health should be ensured. 

targeted  approaches 

HEALTHCARE 

The majority of measures are mainstreamed. Targeted measures 
include  enhancing  access  to  primary  health  services,  health 
education  and  Traveller  Health  Units.  The  Health  Service 
Executive  works  to  ensure  that  Travellers  and  Roma  are 
identified  as  vulnerable  groups  when  developing  broader  cross 
government  strategies  (e.g.  Suicide  Prevention,  Plan  on 
Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based violence, Healthy Ireland) 

The  impact  of  both  mainstream  and  targeted  measures  on 
Travellers and Roma state of health should be assessed in terms 
of adequacy and effectiveness. 
Further  targeted  measures  addressing  the  specific  needs  of  the 
Travellers  and  Roma  communities  should  be  considered  in 
order to promote their access to primary healthcare and improve 
their  state  of  health  with  a  special  focus on vulnerable  groups. 
Mental  health  is  a  primary  concern  for  young  Travellers  (with 
an extremely high suicide rate) and other minority ethnic groups 
and  targeted  initiatives  are  urgently  needed  to  ensure  outreach 
by mainstream services. 

HOUSING 

have 

local 

adopted 

authorities 

All 
their  Traveller 
Accommodation  Programs  for  the  period  2014-2018.  These 
programmes  set  out  the  targets  for  the  accommodation  needs 
under the Social Housing Needs Assessment. Progress Reports 
measure  local  authority  provision  of  Traveller  accommodation 
in a given year against the target for that year contained in their 
Traveller Accommodation Programme (TAP). 
Annual  Count  of  Traveller  families  by  the  Department  of  the 
Environment,  Community  &  Local  Government  through  the 
Local Authorities 

social 

housing 

(including 

There  has  been  a  worrying  increase  in  evictions  of  Traveller 
families  from  Traveller  halting  sites  also  during  the  winter 
period  and  with  no  alternative  accommodation  provided. 
Evictions  should  be  accompanied  by  an  offer  of  adequate 
through  ESIF 
alternative 
investments).  A  winter  moratorium  on  evictions  is  strongly 
recommended. 
The results of the progress reports are not communicated. Civil 
their 
society  reports 
obligations  under  the  1998  Traveller  Accommodation  Act. 
There is underspending on improving the housing situation and 
providing sites for Travellers. 
Despite  the  critical  housing  situation,  the  national  report  does 
not provide information on the implementation of the Traveller 
Accommodation Programme (2014-2018). 

local  authorities  fail 

to  fulfil 

that 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

Ongoing  consultation  process  in  order  to  draft  a  new  National 
Strategy  (strategic  themes  and  objective  identified  in  the  first 
phases of the consultation whereas the last phase, to take place 
in May 2016, should lead to the adoption of an action plan). 

the  capacity  building  of 

Strengthening 
organisations and local authorities needs to be addressed. 
Cooperation  with  Travellers  and  Roma  representatives  at  the 
local level should also be ensured and embedded in all activities 
(development, implementation and reporting stages). 

the  civil  society 

MONITORING 

Steering Group for the monitoring of the National Traveller and 
Roma Integration Strategy 

Monitoring  and  reporting  should  be  improved.  An  evidence-
based  and  clear  action  plan  with  impact  indicators  should  be 
implemented, in line with the new strategy. 
A  mainstreamed  approach  is  sufficient  when  outcomes  are 
identical for all components of the target groups; when evidence 
shows a clear gap between the situation of Roma and Travellers 
versus  the  rest  of  society  (e.g.  regarding  their  health  and 
housing  situation),  policies  should  be  adjusted  and  specific 
measures should also be developed. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FUNDING 

Secure  funding  for  the  implementation  of  the  new  Integration 
Strategy  by  defining  a  concrete  action  plan  with  targets, 
indicators, timeframe and budget. 
Facilitate the use of national and EU funds to support capacity 
building for local authorities and civil society organisations. 

The National Traveller Partnership is funded by the Department 
of Justice and Equality (1.18 mio in 2015) and delivered by 14 
local and 3 national Traveller organisations. 
In the 2014-20 period, a total of €351 mio (€0 ERDF, €194 mio 
ESF  and  €157  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to  promoting 
social  inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any  discrimination, 
targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged  (including,  but 
not limited to Roma/Travellers). There is no specific funding 
explicitly  targeting  Roma/Travellers  under  ESIF  Operational 
Programmes  as  the  investment  priority  relating  to  socio-
economic  integration  of  marginalised  communities,  such  as 
Roma  was  not  selected.  Ireland  has  chosen  the  investment 
priority  ‘Combating  all  forms  of  discrimination  and  promoting 
equal opportunities’. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Ireland has initiated a consultation process in order to draft a new National Integration Strategy which should be accompanied by a 
concrete action plan with targets, indicators, timeframe and budget. The focus is therefore on policy review in order to substantially 
improve  the  Travellers/Roma  integration  process.  Steps  to  fight  segregation  in  education  have  been  taken  in  recent  years  and 
recently to promote tertiary education of under-represented groups. However, the lack of recognition of the Travellers’ ethnicity 
does not support the practical enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation. Discrimination in all areas is closely linked to deeply 
rooted  stereotypes  and  prejudices  which  calls  for  targeted  actions  to  enhance  protection  and  sensitise  the  settled  population. 
Although Traveller Accomodation Programmes have been adopted by all local authorities for the period 2014-2018, progress on 
implementation has not been reported. The deterioration in the housing situation in terms of provision of sites and effective equal 
access to social housing is widely denounced by civil society. Stregthening the local level cooperation among local authroties, civil 
society and community representatives needs to be addressed. Improving the monitoring and reporting process would depend on 
the new Strategy and Action Plan formulation and allocated funding 

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITALY 
(Sinti and Caminanti are included under the umbrella term Roma) 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN  

HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

Municipalities try to propose viable alternative solutions to the 
social and ethnic conflicts due to evictions and transfers. 
Measures  relating  to  the  fight  against  trafficking  in  human 
beings, promoting greater awareness about child, early or forced 
marriage and traditional harmful practices. 
The Dosta! Campaign has been transformed into continuous and 
permanent  activities,  aiming  at  promoting  awareness-raising 
campaigns. 
NRCP  has  promoted  support  for  Roma  women-related 
initiatives,  such  as  the  Rowni  network,  that  gathers  Roma 
women living in Italy. 

Some  positive  initiatives  have  been  taken.  However,  they  are 
either insufficient to ensure an articulated coordination between 
the  national  and  local  level  and  a  constructive  dialogue  with 
civil  society,  or  have  yet  to  prove  their  efficiency.  Preventing 
forced  evictions  of  Roma  requires  better  enforcement  of  anti-
discrimination legislation. 
Trafficking  in  human  being  is  still  a  big  threat  for  the  Roma 
population  in  Italy;  awareness  raising  campaigns  about  child 
early  forced  marriages  and  other  harmful  practices  and  more 
involvement  from  the  Roma  community  itself  is  needed. 
Although  Italy  has  strong  anti-trafficking  legislation,  there  are 
just a few initiatives targeting the Roma population in a specific 
way  (good  example:  CONFRONT  –  countering  new  forms  of 
Roma child trafficking).  
The  effective  practical  enforcement  of  antidiscrimination 
legislation  as  well  as  a  correct  criminalisation  of  hate  speech 
and hate crime needs to be ensured   

POVERTY REDUCTION  

Some mainstream measures have been taken to reduce poverty, 
not targeting Roma directly. 

Budgetary  constraints  are  the  main  challenge  to  poverty 
reduction  as  well  as  the  weakness  and  fragmentation  of  social 
services  provision.  However, 
the  adoption  and 
implementation  of  a  National  action  plan  against  poverty 
consisting of financial support for families with minors in very 
deprived  circumstances  linked  to  activation  measures  will 
improve  the  situation.  It  should  benefit  widely  Roma  families 
who are legally residing in the country.  

in  2016 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

The main measure is the ‘National Project for the Inclusion and 
Integration of Roma, Sinti and Caminanti Children’ 
A National Observatory for the Integration of Foreign Students 
and Inter-culture was established at the end of 2014. It became 
operational  in  2015  and  has  a  consultative,  guidance  and 
address mission. 
The ‘National project for the inclusion and Integration of Roma 
Sinti  and  Camminanti  Children’,  involving  around  160  Roma 
pupils, has been renewed for the period 2015/2016. 

The situation remained broadly stable compared to 2014. Roma 
integration policies  are  still  subject  to  a  step-by-step  approach. 
There  are  large  variations  depending  on  the  local  context.  A 
more integrated and structured approach should be considered. 
The  measures  are  rather  patchy  as  they  also  include  some 
mainstreamed  national  projects  on  integration  of  foreign 
students and some local Roma targeted projects. However, it has 
to  be  taken  into  account  that  the  estimated  number  of  Roma 
pupils in Italy is very small. 

EMPLOYMENT 

launched, 

Various  measures  have  been 
tested  and/or 
implemented. To ensure access to employment, attention is paid 
to vocational training, refresher courses, internships and similar 
measures also dedicated to labour market re-entry. 
Transfer  of  the  Spanish  ACCEDER  programme  to  Italy, 
supported by ESIF. For the moment, however, the project is at 
an early phase.   

Some  projects  were  undertaken  by  municipalities  and  a  pilot 
scheme  was  tested  but  interventions  appear  fragmented  with  a 
lack of strategic guidance and coordination at the national level. 
Coordination  would  ensure  a  better  consistency  of  expenditure 
and planning and it would allow for better monitoring. It would 
allow maximising the dissemination of the measures that work 
and correcting the ones which do not work. 

HEALTHCARE 

The  national  health  system  provides  universal  access  to 
healthcare  (including  Roma  people),  prevention  and  uniform 
criteria for quality services. 
Sectorial  plan  of  action  to  tackle  the  health  of  all  members  of 
Roma  communities,  focusing  on  three  main  areas:  ad  hoc 
training for socio-health care workers; information and access to 
services for Roma; prevention, diagnosis and care. 

The  impact  of  health  policy  measures  should  be  measured  in 
order to ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 
Poor  conditions  in  camps  have  a  negative  impact  on  Roma 
health. Further targeted measures to address the specific needs of 
the  Roma  people,  in  particular  those  of  vulnerable  women  and 
children  should  be  considered.  Further  cultural  awareness-
raising of healthcare professionals and health-related awareness-
raising of the Roma community should be considered in order to 
improve Roma access to healthcare services.  

49 

 
 
 
 
 
HOUSING 

The  housing-related  mapping  exercise  carried  out  by  the 
association of Italian communes with NRCP’s support. 
Numerous  efforts  to  overcome  the  ‘camps-system’  have  been 
made over the years in various areas of the Country, following 
differing experiences and proposals aimed at providing adequate 
housing  solutions,  in  line  with  the  needs  of  the  beneficiaries, 
including  their  cultural  needs,  opportunities  offered  by  the 
territories. 

Discrimination  of  Roma  people 
in  housing  has  not 
fundamentally changed in the period under review. The existing 
initiatives  have  not  been  transformed  into  an  overall  coherent 
and effective strategy to deal with the vast scale of the systemic 
national problem. 
Overcoming the camps-system should be carried out within an 
integrated approach addressing simultaneously challenges in the 
areas of education, employment and health. Evictions should be 
accompanied by an offer of adequate alternative social housing 
(including through ESIF investments). 
The  mapping  of  Roma  settlements  in  the  Municipalities  with 
over 15,000 inhabitants is useful to have a more accurate picture 
of the scale of the existing problems. 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

NRCP has been engaged in promoting the establishment of both 
national  and  regional  working  groups  along  with  capacity-
building,  informational  and  promotional  activities,  aimed, 
mainly, at both training and raising awareness of the local Plans 
of social inclusion. 
NRCP has continued working with NGOs including Roma and 
Sinti Federations. 

Under  the  new  EU  Funds  Planning,  2014-2020,  specific 
resources for the NRCP (which also acts as the Equality Body) 
are  intended  for  monitoring,  evaluation  and  accountability 
purposes. It will help the NRCP to ensure a better coordination 
of the Italian Roma policy. 

On a general note, managing Authorities remain those in charge 
of monitoring and evaluating their measures. 
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF 

No  systematic  monitoring  and  evaluation  activities  are  being 
carried  out  by  the  NRCP  on  the  implementation  of  the  NRIS. 
This was further undermined by staffing issues in 2015. 

MONITORING 

FUNDING 

social 

poverty 

inclusion, 

combating 

In  the  2014-20  period  a  total  of  €4  bio  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting 
and 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including, but not limited to Roma). 
Under  this  amount,  Italy  also  selected  a  new  Roma-specific 
investment  priority  (explicitly  targeting  Roma)  with  a  total 
allocation of €71 mio. Apart from social inclusion, investments 
under employment and education can also contribute to NRIS-
implementation. 

The use of EU, national and local funds for Roma needs to be 
optimised  through  a  truly  integrated  approach.  Making  sure  to 
fully  utilise  the  resources  envisaged  under  objective  dedicated 
to Roma Inclusion can be considered a challenge. 
The  representation  of  Roma  NGOs 
the  Monitoring 
Committees  of  ESI  Funds  and  at  the  level  of  the  Partnership 
Agreement for Italy should be improved. 
It  has  to  be  ensured  that  funds  are  used  for  desegregation  and 
under no circumstances to contribute to (further) segregation of 
communities/educational  facilities  (following  the  Commission 
guidance on desegregation). 

in 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Italy has made limited progress in 2015 addressing the commitments taken through the European Framework and the 2013 Council 
Recommendation on  effective  Roma  integration  measures.    The  main  issue  is the  lack  of  strategic  guidance  and  coordination  at 
national  level.  Overcoming  the  camps-system  should  be  carried  out  within  an  integrated  approach  addressing  simultaneously 
challenges in the areas of education, employment and health.  A mechanism of monitoring should be considered. 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LATVIA 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Targeted and mainstream activities including awareness raising 
related  to  Roma  culture,  history  and  social  issues,  focusing  on 
fighting  prejudices  (Anti-Gypsyism)  and  negative  stereotypes.  
Few reported measures address specifically the needs of Roma 
women and children. 

The support for Roma women through gender mainstreaming in 
education,  employment,  health  policies  should  be  further 
addressed. 
The  effective  practical  enforcement  of  antidiscrimination  law 
needs to be ensured. 

There  are  several  mainstream  and  targeted  measures  aimed  at 
the  poverty  reduction  of  Roma,  which  are  implemented  at  the 
local level in the framework of different projects. 

Consider  ensuring  sustainability  for  targeted  measures  and 
enable an integrated approach alongside.  

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Most of the measures reported are implemented at local/regional 
level by NGOs in cooperation with public authorities. 

The  sustainability  of  measures  depends  on  availability  of 
national and local budget, as well as on the active involvement 
of Roma and non-Roma NGOs. 
Overall  there  is  a  lack  of  systemic  policy  approach  at  national 
level behind the targeted measures.  

Most  of 
the  measures  reported  are  mainly  funded  by 
national/ESF  funds,  including  explicit  safeguards  to  secure 
equal access to various vulnerable people, such as Roma. 

A  targeted  approach  to  ensure  effective  equal  access  and 
increased  participation  of  Roma  in  employment  should  be 
reinforced.  
The  conclusions  of  the  Survey  ‘Roma  in  Latvia’  should  be 
reflected in an effective set of tailored policy measures.  

EMPLOYMENT 

HEALTHCARE 

No targeted healthcare policy measures for Roma in Latvia.  
Support is provided under the mainstream policy measures. 

Outcomes of the ‘Roma in Latvia’ 2015 survey should feed into 
measures  targeting  Roma  health.  Vulnerable  women  and 
children should receive special attention.  
Promoting awareness of health and healthcare issues at the level 
of the Roma communities is to be better addressed. 

HOUSING 

Housing  support  is  provided  within  the  mainstream  housing 
policy  measures.  75-80%  of  Roma  families  that  live  in  Latvia 
still encounter difficulties in the availability of housing. 

A  more  systematic  and  integrated  approach  is  necessary  to 
improve access of Roma to quality housing.  

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, CIVIL AND LOCAL ACTORS, EQUALITY BODIES, TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION) 

The NRCP is responsible for the coordination and evaluation of 
the policy measures.  The cross-sectorial coordination is enabled 
through:  the  Council  supervising  the  implementation  of  Roma 
policy;  the  network  of  regional  experts  on  Roma  integration 
issues;  regular  monitoring  of  main  areas  and  the  annual  report 
coordinated by the NRCP. The NRCP provides targeted funding 
for Roma NGOs’ initiatives to foster better involvement in the 
implementation  of  the  measures.  Latvia  will  receive  financing 
from the Commission to establish a National Roma Platform. 

involvement  of 

Empower  the  National  Roma  Contact  Point  to  efficiently 
coordinate  and  monitor  the  process  of  Roma  inclusion  at 
National level. 
the  design, 
civil 
Better 
implementation and monitoring of the policy measures on Roma 
issues should be considered. 
Promote  an  open  dialogue  and  cooperation  between  the  Roma 
communities  and  the  local  and  national  authorities  relevant  in 
the process.  

society 

in 

MONITORING 

Regular  monitoring  of  the  Roma  situation  in  main  areas 
coordinated by the NRCP and based on statistical data provided 
by different institutions, including local government.  The data 
of the monitoring is available in the annual report produced by 
the Ministry of Culture (NRCP). The quantitative survey ‘Roma 
in  Latvia’  was  conducted  in  2015  aiming  at  monitoring  the 
to  education,  employment, 
situation  of  Roma 
healthcare and housing, identifying best practises. 

in  access 

Better involvement of the civil society in the monitoring process 
should be considered. 
Monitoring and reporting of the impact of mainstream measures 
on Roma should be ensured. 
Consider targeted funding for monitoring purposes. 
The  outcomes  of  the  monitoring  system  should  be  channelled 
into policy review. 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FUNDING 

For the 2014-2020 period a total of  €488 mio (€193 mio ERDF, 
€225  mio  ESF  and  €70  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
promoting  social 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including, but not limited to Roma). The Investment Priority 
on the socio-economic integration of marginalised communities, 
such  as  Roma  was  not  selected.National  funding  and  funding 
from private donors, is also used to cover specific measures.  

Evaluation  of  interventions  targeting  or  mainstreaming  Roma 
inclusion  should  be  carried  out  to  ensure  proper  monitoring  of 
funds used for Roma inclusion. 
Sustainability  and  integrated  approaches  should  be  considered 
for Roma targeted measures. 
The national funding used to cover specific measures should be 
complemented  where  relevant  with  appropriate  lines  of  EU 
funding. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
There  is  some  progress  in  ensuring  better  cooperation  among  relevant  stakeholders  in  the  process.  A  more  systematic  and 
integrated  approach  is  necessary  to  improve  access  of  Roma  to  quality  housing.  The  sustainability  of  measures  in  education 
depends  on  availability  of  national  and  local budget,  as  well as  on  the  active  involvement  of  Roma  and non-Roma  NGOs.  This 
leads to a lack of systemic policy approach at national level behind the targeted measures. The support for Roma women through 
gender mainstreaming in education, employment, health policies should be further addressed. Outcomes of the ‘Roma in Latvia’ 
2015 survey should feed into measures targeting Roma health..  

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LITHUANIA 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Adoption  of  inter-institutional  Action  Plan  to  Promote  Non-
discrimination for 2015-2020. 
Training for employers and educational events to promote equal 
access to the labour market. 
Approval  of  The  Action  Plan  2014-2016  of  Implementing  the 
National  programme  for  the  prevention  of  Domestic  Violence 
and provision of Assistance to Victims 2014-2020. 
Training for Roma mediators  

Consider  targeted  measures  to  tackle  aspects  of  multiple-
discrimination experienced by Roma women and children. 
trainings  and 
Awareness  raising 
discrimination should be provided.   

information  on  fighting 

No measures reported. 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

No assessment. 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Planned  measures  to  promote  parent  education  and  Roma 
family  involvement  with  a  view  to  enhancing  early  childhood 
education and care as well as pre-primary education. Measures 
to  improve  the  qualification  of  teachers,  administration  of 
schools and other pedagogical staff.   
Measures  to  organise  informal  education  of  Roma  from  the 
Kirtimai settlement 

The impact of these measured needs to be monitored. 
Targeted measures to better address the low attendance and poor 
attainment of Roma children should be put in place. 
Different pathways to education, especially in the case of adults, 
need  to  be  promoted  and  accompanied  by  trainings  fostering 
skills in line with labour market needs. 

Targeted  measure  (NGOs  project)  to  help  Roma  gain  the 
necessary  skills  and  attitudes  for  integration  into  the  labour 
market. 
Mainstream  measures  aiming  at  increasing  ethnic  minority 
employment and participation in the labour market. 

Consider targeted measures to support first work experience or 
on-the-job training for Roma. 
The  vocational  trainings  should  be  accompanied  by  precise 
transition  measures  in  order  to  ease  the  access  to  the  labour 
market. 

EMPLOYMENT 

HEALTHCARE 

Measures including consultations on the matters of equal access 
to  healthcare  services  targeting  Roma  and  non-government 
organisations.  Measures  including  lectures  on  matters  of 
hygiene  for  Roma  girls  and  women  and  healthy  lifestyle 
educational projects.  
Vaccination  coverage  studies  in  the  Roma  communities  and 
equal access to medical check-ups, prenatal and postnatal care. 

The  impact  of  health  policy  measures  should  be  measured  in 
order to ensure that the needs of the Roma are met. 
Consider  training  of  healthcare  professionals  on  the  health 
needs (cid:13) of vulnerable groups, such as the Roma. 

HOUSING 

Housing  measures  provided  through  the  mainstream  national 
housing  policies.  Adoption  of  the  Action  Plan  for  Roma 
integration into the Lithuanian society for 2015-2020 (national) 
with targeted measures to housing.  
Setting  up  an  inter-institutional  working  group  to  monitor  the 
measures  of  the  Action  Plan.  Adoption  of  the  Programme  for 
the 
in  Kirtimai 
settlement)  into  the  Society  for  2016-2019  (Vilnius  municipal 
administration). 

integration  of  Roma  community  (living 

Monitor the impact of the Action Plan for Roma integration into 
the  Lithuanian  society  for  2015-2020,  with  particular  view  to 
improving housing conditions of Roma people by strengthening 
the implementation of the equal right to housing; 
Ensure  monitoring  the  impact  of  the  Programme  for  the 
integration  of  Roma  living  in  Kirtimai  settlement  for  2016-
2019. 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The  NRCP  coordinates  the  implementation  and  monitoring  of 
the  Roma  integration  action  plan.  The  NRCP  maintains 
dialogue with Office of the Ombudsmen of Equal opportunities 
on a regular basis.  
Lithuania will receive Commission support to set up or develop 
a National Roma Platform. 

Better involvement of civil society and Roma themselves, in the 
design,  monitoring  and  implementation  of  the  Roma  Action 
plan should be ensured.  
Empower  the  National  Roma  Contact  Point  to  efficiently 
coordinate  and  monitor  the  process  of  Roma  inclusion  at 
National level. 
Promote  an  open  dialogue  and  cooperation  between  Roma 
communities and local and national authorities. 

MONITORING 

No measures reported 

Put  in  place  appropriate  measures  to  monitor  and  evaluate  the 
effectiveness  of 
the 
involvement of civil society in the process.  
Monitoring  and  evaluation  of  the  impact  of  mainstream 
measures on Roma should be ensured. 

the  Roma  action  plan, 

including 

FUNDING 

In  the  2014-20  period  a  total  of  €695  mio  (€316  mio  ERDF, 
€221  mio  ESF  and  €158  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including,  but  not  limited  to  Roma).  There  is  no  specific 
the  ESIF 
funding  explicitly 
Operational Programmes. The Investment Priority on the socio-
economic  integration  of  marginalised  communities,  such  as 
Roma was not selected. National funding is also used to cover 
specific measures. 

targeting  for  Roma  under 

Where  relevant,  consider  training  for  local  authorities  on  the 
availabilities of ESI Funds, which they could use to address the 
challenges they encounter locally. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Some  progress  has  been  made  regarding  Roma  employment  which  has  increased  over  the  past  three  years.  The  involvement  of 
Roma communities in the development and implementation of measures on Roma integration is still a challenge to be addressed. 
The process of coordination and monitoring remains weak and needs to be improved. Awareness raising activities and information 
on fighting discrimination and stereotyping against Roma should be better addressed. Consider targeted measures to support first 
work  experience  or on-the-job  training for Roma  people. Consider  training  of healthcare professionals  on  the health needs  (cid:13) of 
vulnerable groups, such as the Roma. 

54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

POLAND 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

The  National  Program  for  Equal  Treatment  (2013-2016) 
includes targeted actions (measures are not reported). 
The  public  events  and  a  thematic  visit 
  aimed  at  the 
empowerment of Roma women, which are the most represented 
among Roma assistants and NGOs representatives 

The  pertinent  mainstream  measures  should  be  reported, 
particularly the ones targeting children and women. 
Legal  measures  should  be 
criminalisation of hate speech and hate crime.11 
Anti-Roma  rhetoric  and  strereotypes  should  also  be  tackled  by 
awareness-raising campaigns targeting the majority society. 

to  ensure  correct 

introduced 

Most of the measures under the NRIS aim at poverty reduction 
(no specific measures reported under this section) 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

financial 

resources  are  allocated 

Additional 
to  schools 
undertaking  support  activities  for  ethnic  minorities  pupils 
(remedial classes, specialised teachers, Roma assistants) 
Targeted  measures  for  providing  free  textbooks,  supplies  and 
scholarships  for  secondary  and  tertiary  education,  and  targeted 
projects supporting pre-school education are in place. 
50 Roma Community centres are supported. 

Ensure the sustainability of the funding for projects supporting 
the  participation  of  Roma  pupils  in  early  childhood  (including 
pre-school) education. 
More  attention  needs  to  be  paid  to  the  use  of  inclusive 
educational methods, prevention of school drop-out and support 
to the transition between educational levels.  

EMPLOYMENT 

Specifically  targeted  Roma  integration  measures  related  to 
social  integration,  education  and  employment  are  included  in 
Education 
the  Operational 
Developmentunder  the  ESF.  The  first  calls  were  published  in 
March 2016. 
Targeted  measures  are 
implemented  under 
(internships, training and subsidised employment) 

Programme  Knowledge 

the  NRIS 

and 

Complementarity 
the  measures 
implemented  under  the  NRIS  and  the  Operational  Programme 
should be ensured.  
The employment targets should lead to sustainable results. 

coordination 

of 

HEALTHCARE 

Projects under the NRIS for employment of community nurses 
to  bring  medical  aid  in  marginalised  communities,  improving 
access  to  medical  check-up  and  vaccinations,  on  promoting 
preventive and curative healthcare for children, women and the 
elderly. 

The impact of the mainstream and targeted measures on Roma 
should be monitored and assessed. 
Health-related  awareness-raising  among  the  Roma  community 
should  be  strengthened,  including  on  the  popularisation  of 
medical professions and scholarships. 
Measures  promoting  health  awareness  in  integrated  projects 
covering  education,  housing  and  employment  activities  should 
be explored. 

HOUSING 

Housing  interventions  were  implemented  in  the  Malopolska 
province  and  planned  in  Dolnoslaskie  and  Slaskie  provinces. 
These  included  construction  of  multiple-family  buildings, 
subsidy  for  purchase  of  housing  on  the  open  market,  repair 
works and improving access to public utilities. These activities 
are  funded  by  the  national  budget  and  constitute  25%  of  the 
budget allocated to the NRIS. 

that 

funding  possibilities  under  ERDF 

Ensure 
regional 
programmes  are  used  to  support  the  objectives  of  the  NRIS  in 
relation  to  housing  and  improved  access  to  cultural  and 
educational services. 
Ensure  effective  equal  access  to  social  housing,  promote 
integrated  housing  projects  aiming  at  desegregation  and  social 
inclusion. 

11 The incorrect transposition of the Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA as regards the criminalisation of bias motivated hate 
speech has led to high number of cases without indictments, confirming the need to strengthen the existing legal framework 
by a provision allowing to better criminalise hate speech in the form of public incitement to violence or hatred.   

55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The NRCP is in charge of the cross-sectoral coordination of the 
NRIS  implementation  and  monitoring.  Involved  in  sectoral 
coordination and funding decisions.  
Structural dialogue and cooperation with the Equality body are 
in place. 

implement 

local  stakeholders  and 

Strengthening  the  capacity  of  regional  and  local  authorities  to 
involve  all 
integrated 
(housing, employment, health, education) projects is a challenge 
to be addressed. 
More capacity building activities promoting the participation of 
civil  society  and  Roma  representatives  in  the  design  and 
monitoring of the local plans are necessary.  
Strengthening  the  cooperation  between  the  ESIF  managing 
authorities and the NRCP would be of an added value. 

MONITORING 

A  monitoring  and  reporting  mechanism  is  reported  to  be  in 
place at local, regional and national levels. The national annual 
report is based on outcome indicators and a central evaluation is 
ensured by the NRCP. 
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

The  monitoring  and  evaluation  of  the  locally  implemented 
actions should lead to a strategic policy review. Monitoring the 
impact  of  the  measures  is  necessary  as  well  as  improving  the 
reporting of measures under the Council recommendation.. 

FUNDING 

In the 2014-20 period a total of €6.9 bio (€3 bio ERDF, €2.8 bio 
ESF  and  €1.1  bio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to  promoting 
social  inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any  discrimination, 
targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged  (including,  but 
not limited to Roma).  
A  Roma  specific  investment  priority  (explicitly  targeting 
Roma)-  can  be  implemented  under  the  social  innovation  
priority  axis  of 
the  Operational  Programme  Knowledge 
Education Development with a total indicative allocation of €19 
mio.  Within  this  amount  €10  mio  have  been  earmarked  (for 
2014-2020)  for  comprehensive  measures 
the 
educational  and  employment  situation  of  Roma  and  actions  to 
eliminate the barriers to employment and social inclusion. 

improve 

to 

for 

local  authorities  and  NGOs 

Opportunities  to  fund  multi-annual  projects  should  be  ensured. 
for 
Capacity  building 
implementation  of  integrated  projects  (education-employment-
housing-health) should be envisaged. 
To fight poverty and discrimination, the use of funds available 
under  the  regional  programmes  combining  ERDF  and  ESF 
investment  for  improving  the  situation  of  marginalised  Roma 
communities should be promoted.  

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Poland  adopted  a  new  NRIS in  2014  for  the  period up  to 2020.  In  addition  to  the  specific  objectives  defined per  thematic  area, 
measures  were  set  and  supported  by  indicators.  As  a  result,  the  monitoring  and  reporting  process  at  national  level  has  been 
reinforced.  Efforts  should  be  sustained  and  progressively  focus  on  measuring  the  impact  of  the  interventions.  The  envisaged 
measures under the comprehensive and Roma specific Operational Program Knowledge Education Development have the potential 
to improve the education and employment situation of members of the Roma community. A mapping of the Roma communities 
exists and the housing interventions are planned in selected geographical areas. The focus is on improving infrastructure and access 
to public utilities while an integrated approach tackling several areas of intervention (housing-education-employment-health) are 
not reported. Attention  is directed  to  the  need  to  sustain civil society projects  by  ensuring  multi-annual  implementation  periods. 
Strengthening the capacity building of civil society and partnership between civil society and local authorities is still a challenge to 
be addressed. A more integrated approach to project implementation at local level is to be promoted. The combination of funding 
opportunities from national and ESIF sources can be enhanced. 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PORTUGAL 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Training and awareness raising activities to fight discrimination 
and  promote  Roma  history  and  culture  targeting  the  police, 
media, lawyers and public institutions. 
Capacity  building  for  Roma  associations  and  representatives, 
new funding possibilities for NGO projects 
First Roma Young people and Roma Women seminars 
Cultural,  artistic,  social  and  sport  activities’  projects  under  the 
Choices Program for education 

The  monitoring  of  the  effective  practical  enforcement  of  anti-
discrimination  law  needs  to  be  ensured  in  all  policy  areas  as 
well  as  the  strengthening  of  the  legal  measures  to  ensure  a 
correct  criminalisation  of  anti-Roma  rhetoric,  hate  speech  and 
hate crime12 
Sustainable  funding  for  the  positions  of  Roma  municipal 
mediators should be provided and the network supported. 
The  activities  aiming  at  empowering  Roma  women  and  youth 
should be continued and further developed. 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

Study  evaluating  the  impact  of  the  social  insertion  income  on 
Roma communities inclusion 
Intercultural  mediation  as  a  mean  to  facilitate  the  access  for 
Roma to public services and improve the quality of the services 
at municipal level 

The  impact  of  mainstream  social  policies  on  Roma  should  be 
promoted and should be evaluated and lead to policies review. 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

A mainstream program (TEIP) for reducing early school leaving 
by  promoting  inclusive  tailor-made  teaching  and  learning 
methods to support struggling learners.  
Additional  human  and  financial  resources  are  allocated  to 
school  with  large  number  of  students  vulnerable  to  social  and 
educational exclusion. 
Vocational  courses  as  an  alternative  path  to  student  at  risk  of 
dropping out in lower secondary education. 
Initiated school survey on the situation of Roma pupils 

concentration 

Efforts  to  monitor  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  on 
vulnerable  students,  including  Roma,  are  to  be  continued  and 
reported.  
The 
disadvantaged 
socioeconomic  backgrounds  into  TEIP  schools  may  raise 
questions on the inclusiveness of the educational system. 
The  participation  of  Roma  pupils  in  early  childhood  education 
and  pre-school  education  should  be  encouraged 
through 
improving effective access and work with the parents 

students 

from 

of 

EMPLOYMENT 

Survey  in  employment  offices  to  identify  the  units  with  the 
highest  proportion  of  Roma  beneficiaries,  assessment  of 
methodologies and best practices. 
Promotion  of 
in  employments  offices  of 
unemployed  Roma  and  inclusion  in  mainstream  active  market 
employment policies.  
Training of Roma municipal mediators 

registration 

Active  labour  market  policies  with  a  tailor-made  approach 
should be enhanced. 
Support  measures  for  self-employment  and  entrepreneurship 
should be considered.  
Job  opportunities  for  Roma  assistants/mediators  in  education 
and training services should be explored. 

HEALTHCARE 

No information on specific measures has been reported 
Mobilising local and regional representatives of health services 
in  order  to  evaluate  the  impact  of  mainstream  health  measures 
on Roma communities 

The  effective  access  of  Roma  to  the  general  health  services, 
preventive  and  curative  healthcare,  should  be  evaluated  and 
their  particular  needs  identified.  Specific  attention  should  be 
paid to children, women, groups most at risk and those living in 
marginalised or remote areas. 
Specific  awareness  raising  activities  in  the  field  should  be 
envisaged  by  addressing  both  health  practitioners  and  Roma 
communities. 

12  The  incorrect  transposition  and  limited  application  of  the  of  Framework  Decision  2008/913/JHA  has  led  to  a  lack  of 
criminalisation  of  bias  motivated  hate  crime  and  hate  speech  which  particularly  targeted  the  Roma  community  especially 
over the internet. 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
HOUSING 

Completed national-wide study on the housing conditions of the 
Roma communities 

Implementation  of  four  housing  interventions  in  Oporto,  Vila 
Real and Portalegre districts (the type of the intervention is not 
described) 

The  study  on  the  housing  conditions  of  Roma  should  consider 
all  four  relevant  provisions  of  the  Council  recommendation  in 
this area.  
Ensure  that  the  new  National  Housing  Strategy  supports  the 
objective of the NRIS. 
Promote  funding  opportunities  by  better  use  of  ERDF  for 
integrated  housing  intervention  in  favour  of  disadvantaged 
communities. 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The  NRCP  is  in  charge  of  the  cross-sectoral  coordination  of 
implementation  and  NRIS  monitoring.  Consulted  for  the 
development  and  implementation  of  relevant  policies  and 
funding  decisions  (in  particular  operational  program  for  Social 
inclusion and employment) 
Consultative  Group 
(CONSIG) is a coordination and monitoring structure 

for  Roma  Communities 

Integration 

Regular  dialogue  and  cooperation  between  the  NRCP  and  the 
Equality body should be promoted. 

MONITORING 

Representative  of  civil  society  participate  in  the  CONSIG.  Its 
main role is to monitor the implementation of the NRIS and to 
provide policy review guidance. 
Creation  of  the  Observatory  for  Roma  communities  (2015) 
promoting social studies on Roma integration 

The  monitoring  and  evaluation  process  is  ongoing.  It  should 
enable to effectively monitor the results of the measures put in 
place  and  draw  conclusions  to  feed  the  reporting  and  policy 
adjustment processes. 
Data collection from the projects, thematic surveys and studies 
are all important elements for the design of a robust monitoring 
and reporting mechanism. 

FUNDING 

New  Fund  to  support  the  NRIS  through  innovative  projects 
implemented  by  NGOs  (fields:  anti-discrimination,  awareness 
raising, entrepreneurship).  
In the 2014-20 period, a total of €2.5 bio (€530 mio ERDF, €1.6 
bio  ESF  and  €409  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including,  but  not  limited  to  Roma).  There  is  no  specific 
funding  explicitly  targeting  Roma  under  ESIF  Operational 
Programs.  The  investment  priority  on  the  socio-economic 
integration of marginalised communities, such as Roma was not 
selected. 

Target  relevant  geographical  areas  (with  high  share  of  Roma 
population)  by  allocating  appropriate 
the 
development  of  integrated  projects  to  fight  poverty  and  social 
exclusion. 
Ensure sustainability of innovative NGOs projects. 

funding 

for 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Portugal  has  taken  several  steps  to  address  identified  structural  gaps  by  improving  the  coordination  and  monitoring  process  in 
addition  to  a  growing  attention  to  empowerment  of  Roma  communities  by  working  with  Roma  women  and  youth.  Studies  and 
surveys  have  been  initiated  in  the  key  thematic  areas.  However,  the  conclusions  from  these  studies  have  not  yet  led  to  a  policy 
review.  It  is  therefore  necessary  that  the  assessment  of  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  on  Roma  guides  the  development  of 
concrete actions with appropriate funding. The combination of targeted and mainstream measures should be further developed and 
specific geographic areas targeted in order to improve the living conditions and fight social exclusion. A regular cooperation with the 
equality  body  should  be  established;  the  effective  enforcement  and  monitoring  of  discrimination  in  all  policy  areas  should  be 
ensured.   

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ROMANIA 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

All targeted measures reported are NGO-led. 
Measures  consisting  of  workshops  for  education  and  diversity 
and trainings for Roma teachers and parents. 
Roma women project aiming at combating stereotypes.   

be 

should 

The  discrimination  of  Roma 
is  still  widespread  further 
preventing equal access to employment, education, housing and 
healthcare. 
Enforcing the anti-discrimination legislation and the legislation 
criminalising  hate  speech  and  hate  crime,  in  particular  at  the 
local level, should be considered. Efforts to increase the number 
of trained social workers (particularly in rural areas) as well as 
efforts  to  tackle  forms  of  violence  against  Roma  children 
trafficking,  and  forced  early 
(including  sexual  violence, 
marriage) 
continued 
The 
reinforced. 
overrepresentation of Roma children in institutional care needs 
to be addressed urgently. This includes, addressing the issue of 
child  poverty  and  homelessness  as  well  as  ensuring  anti-
discrimination  training  for  child  protection  authorities.  Roma 
children  need  to  be  included  in  all  mainstreamed  actions  on 
the 
child  protection  and  rights  of 
implementation  of  the  National  Strategy  on  the  Rights  of  the 
Child).    The  systematic  approach  to  combat  violence  against 
Romani  women, 
including  forced  marriages,  should  be 
integrated  in  policy  approaches.  More  efforts  are  needed  to 
correctly  transpose  the  Framework  Decision  2008/913/JHA  on 
racism and xenophobia, particularly with regards the provisions 
criminalising hate speech. Sustainability of the measures put in 
place  to  combat  discrimination  is  a  challenge  to  be  further 
addressed. 
POVERTY REDUCTION 

the  child  (including 

No measures reported. 

The high poverty rate among Roma and especially among Roma 
children  remains  a  major  concern.  Ensuring 
  effective 
implementation  of  the  integrated  measures  aiming  at  poverty 
reduction  among  disadvantaged  groups, 
including  Roma, 
foreseen in the Government’s new anti-poverty package, in the 
Roma  inclusion  strategy  and  as  well  as  in  the  projects    to  be 
financed  with  EU  funds  (mainly  ESF  and  ERDF)  needs  to  be 
seriously addressed.  

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Training  of  Roma  school  mediators,  promotion  of  the  Roma 
language.  Promoting  Roma  history  and  traditions  in  the 
secondary and the tertiary educational systems.  
Measures  to  enable  non-discriminatory  access  to  education,  to 
prevent school absenteeism and reduce school drop-out. 
Special  places  for  Roma  pupils  and  students  in  educational 
institutions. 

Consistency and clarity at the level of strategic planning which 
do  not  translate  into  effective  implementation  are  still  crucial 
challenges which need to be thoroughly addressed. The limited 
effectiveness  of  the  monitoring  mechanisms  should  be  subject 
to  further  consideration.  More  effective  explicit  measures  with 
appropriate  funding  are  needed  to  reduce  gaps  in  school 
participation  and  performance  of  Roma  vs  non-Roma,  and  to 
prevent segregation in all levels of the education system 
The limited employment capacities combined with unattractive 
work  conditions  for  the  trained  school  mediators  at  local  level 
should be tackled with remedial measures. 
Properly  addressing  the  limited  institutional  capacity  and 
unclear political commitment of national and local authorities, is 
recommended. 

EMPLOYMENT 

Targeted  measures  aiming  at  increasing  the  participation  of 
Roma people on the labour market including specific positions 
for Roma in the Prefectures.  

Roma participation in the labour market remains very weak. 
Lack  of  measures  on  monitoring  and  fighting  anti-Roma 
discrimination in the labour market should be addressed. 
Sustainability  of 
discrimination is still a challenge to be further addressed. 

the  measures  put 

to  combat 

in  place 

HEALTHCARE 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
the 

Mainstream measures aiming at improving the legal framework 
for 
functioning  of  Community  Health  Assistance. 
Developing the institutional capacity of health service providers 
at community level. Increasing vaccination coverage in children 
from  vulnerable  groups,  including  Roma.  Targeted  measure 
referring to the establishment of a network of Roma mediators.   

is  needed.  Further 

Sustainability  of  activities  and  monitoring  of  outcomes  should 
be ensured. 
Improving local accessibility of health services in disadvantaged 
targeted  measures  should  be 
regions 
considered.  Not  all  health  measures  of 
the  Council 
recommendation  are  addressed.  Measures  targeting  medical 
check-ups, prenatal and postnatal care, family planning, sexual 
and  reproductive  healthcare  should  also  be  considered  and 
properly addressed. The health needs of vulnerable women and 
children  should  receive  special  attention.  Further  efforts  are 
needed  as  regards  vaccination.Awareness-raising  activities 
targeting  both  the  healthcare  professionals  and  the  Roma 
community could provide added value. 

HOUSING 

Mainstream  and  targeted  measures  reported.  Pilot  programme 
‘Social housing for Roma communities’. Measures dedicated to 
social  inclusion  and  poverty  reduction  for  the  disadvantaged 
population.  National  programme  for  cadastre  and  land  book.13 
Urban  revitalisation  project  and  the  eradication  of  unhealthy 
habitat for disadvantaged groups in Ferentari. 

Reported  progress  is  limited.  There  is  no  focus  on  segregation 
or  structural  weaknesses  relating  to  social  housing,  whilst  the 
element  of  evictions  at  local  level  still  persists.  Housing 
measures  should  contribute  to  integration  and  prevent  further 
isolation  of  Roma  communities. 
  Evictions  should  be 
accompanied by an offer of adequate alternative social housing 
(including through ESIF investments). 
The  Framework  for  social  housing  should  be  strengthened  to  
better target  vulnerable groups for the provision of housing and 
to  exploit  alternatives  to  construction    (e.g.  renting,  Private 
Public Partnership). 

Housing  is  not  used  as  a  social  inclusion  instrument.  The 
measures  put  in  place  so  far  have  achieved  only  limited 
progress. Specific attention should be paid  to affordability and 
tenure  security  whilst  keeping  an  integrated  approach  to 
alleviate the poverty. 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

level.  An 

The  NRCP  coordinates  the  process  of  Roma  inclusion  at  the 
National 
inter-ministerial  committee  ensures 
coordination among the various relevant ministries.  
The involvement of Roma civil society in the implementation of 
the  NRIS  is  being  encouraged  through  various  forms  of 
dialogues.  
Bilateral  co-operation  Romania  —  Italy:  A  memorandum  of 
understanding  was  signed  in  2015.  Romania  will  receive 
Commission  support  to  set  up  or  develop  a  National  Roma 
Platform. 

in  order 

The  resources  (time,  financial,  human)  enabling  the  NRCP  to 
carry  out  its  coordination  and  monitoring  role  should  be 
reinforced. The establishment of the inter-ministerial committee 
facilitating  dialogue  and  cooperation  among  relevant  national 
authorities  is a  first  step  to  ensuring  an optimal  cooperation  of 
the  ministerial  lines.  However,  formal  coordination  structures 
need  to  be  turned  into  effective  cooperation  mechanisms  with 
the  full  involvement  of  all  stakeholders.  To  this  end,  further 
efforts  are  needed  to  strengthen  the  capacities  of  the  local 
authorities 
the 
to  maximise 
implementation of the strategy. Training of local authorities on 
the  availability  of  ESI  Funds is needed.  The  local  action  plans 
need  to  be  followed  up  with  a  concrete  set  of  indicators, 
allocated budgets and appropriate reporting mechanisms. 
The  cooperation  between  the  Equality  Body  and  the  NRCP 
should be reinforced.  Funding and measures should be ensured 
to  support  the  capacity  building  of  Roma  civil  society, 
especially at the local level. 
There is an overall need for better involvement and cooperation 
among  all  relevant  stakeholders  in  the  process.  This  could  be 
ensured through the National Roma Platforms. 

roles 

their 

in 

13  This  program  aims  at  the  systemic  registration  of  properties  in  the  integrated  information  system  of  cadastre  and  land 
registry in 2337 administrative units in urban and rural areas. 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
MONITORING 

Inter-ministerial  Committee  for  Monitoring  and  Evaluating  the 
Strategy. 

Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF. 

Monitoring and reporting of the impact of mainstream measures 
on  Roma  should  be  ensured.  Appropriate  data  collection  in 
order  to  be  able  to  measure  the  impact  of  the  measures  put  in 
place. 
The  outcomes  of  the  monitoring  system  should  be  channelled 
into policy review. 
Stronger  involvement  of  the  NGOs  and  other  stakeholders  is 
needed,  also  by  providing  a  dedicated  budget  for  external 
evaluation. 

FUNDING 

In the 2014-20 period  a total of €3.4 bio (€572 mio ERDF, €1, 
1  bio  ESF,  and  €1.7  bio  EAFRD).  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including,  but  not  limited  to  Roma).  Under  this  amount 
Romania also selected a new Roma-specific investment priority 
(explicitly targeting Roma) with a total allocation of €372 mio. 
Apart from social inclusion, investments under employment and 
education can also contribute to NRIS-implementation.  

Evaluation  of  interventions  targeting  or  mainstreaming  Roma 
inclusion  should  be  carried  out  to  ensure  proper  monitoring  of 
funds used for Roma inclusion. It must be ensured that funds are 
used  for  desegregation  and  not  for  investments  in  segregated 
communities/educational facilities. 
Existing possibilities to support Roma inclusion under the 
EAFRD (interventions on social enterprises, development of 
basic services in rural areas) should be better exploited for 
Roma inclusion.  
It  has  to  be  ensured  that  funds  are  used  for  desegregation  and 
under no circumstances to contribute to (further) segregation of 
communities/educational  facilities  (following  the  Commission 
guidance  on  desegregation).The  sustainability  of  projects  and 
measures once ESIF funds stop should be further tackled. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Romania  issued  a  comprehensive  anti-poverty  package  that  will  also  tackle  measures  related  to  Roma  inclusion  (e.g.  issuing 
identity documents to all, etc.). The establishment of the inter-ministerial committee facilitating dialogue and cooperation among 
relevant national authorities is a first step to ensure an optimal cooperation of the ministerial lines. The resources (time, financial, 
human) enabling the NRCP to carry out its coordination and monitoring role should be reinforced.  The high poverty rate among 
Roma  people  and  especially  among  Roma  children  remains  a  major  concern  and  needs  to  be  seriously  addressed.  Ensuring   
effective implementation of the integrated measures aiming at poverty reduction among disadvantaged groups, including Roma are 
to  be  further  exploited.  Limited  institutional  capacity,  sustainability  of  projects  beyond  ESIF  funding,.  and  unclear  political 
commitment of national and local authorities are among the key challenges. Roma participation in the labour market remains very 
weak.  Planning,  monitoring  and  evaluation  processes  could  be  strengthened.  ESI  funds  should  contribute    to  desegregation  and 
under no circumstances to contribute to (further) segregation of communities/educational facilities. Improving local accessibility of 
health services in disadvantaged regions is needed. Enforcing the anti-discrimination legislation and the legislation criminalising 
hate speech and hate crime, in particular at the local level, should be considered. 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SLOVAK REPUBLIC 

HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Adoption of legislative measures to prevent  discrimination and 
segregation  of  Roma  children  in  education.  Action  Plan  on 
prevention of all forms of discrimination 2015-2019.  
Guidelines  on  effective  application  of  de-segregation,  de-
ghettoisation  and  de-stigmatisation  principles  when  assessing 
the ESIF grant applications. 
Promotion of cultural and human rights, support given to rights 
awareness  of  national  minorities.  Empowering  Roma  as  Roma 
Teaching  Assistants,  Health  Mediators,  Field  Social  Workers, 
Police  Specialist  for  the  work  with  Roma  communities. 
Protection of Roma children and women is addressed under the 
mainstream measures. 

in  order 

The adoption of pro-inclusive legislation in education represents 
an  important  initial  step.  Enforcement  of  anti-discrimination 
to  achieve  concrete 
legislation  must  continue 
improvement.  The  temporary  equalising  measures  (positive 
action) introduced in the Amendment of Antidiscrimination Act 
should be well promoted in order to be effective.  
The  fight  against  the  negative  stereotypes,  anti-Roma  rhetoric 
and hate speech should be prioritised. Sensitising measures for 
service providers (including teachers, policemen, civil servants) 
should  be  supported.  Desegregation  measures  should  be 
accompanied by awareness-raising activities. 
Strengthened support for multiple disadvantaged Roma women 
through  gender  mainstreaming  in  education,  employment, 
health  policies  should  be  considered  as  well  as  training  and 
information on human rights protection. 

A comprehensive and targeted support provided through ‘Take 
away packages’ to 150 most deprived Roma communities.  

It  is  important  to  ensure  complementarity  of  interventions  and 
monitoring of impact.  

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Amendment  of  the  School  Act,  prohibiting  the  placement  of 
children  in  special  schools  on  the  basis  of  their  social 
backgrounds.  Implementation  of  National  educational  projects 
based  on  inclusive  tailor  made  teaching  and  learning  support 
(teacher  assistants  and  extracurricular  activities)  in  close 
cooperation with children, pedagogical staff and parents. 
in  pre-school 
Supporting  participation  of  Roma  children 
education  by  planned  investments  into  expanding  the  capacity 
of  kindergartens  and  primary  schools  by  using  ESIF  and 
national  funding.  New  guidance  for  the  reimbursement  of 
transport  costs  for  commuting  pupils,  developing  textbooks  in 
Romani language 

The adoption of pro-inclusive legislation is positive, however in 
order to bring tangible results, it needs to be secured by proper 
monitoring,  sustainable  funding  and  by  providing  an  adequate 
teacher  education.  The  School  Inspection  should  be  provided 
with adequate resources to perform its tasks effectively.  
The  positive  outcomes  of 
targeted  educational  projects 
(improved  learning  results  or  school  attendance)  need  to  be 
sustained  and  scaled  up  into  mainstream  measures.  Activities 
should also focus on desegregation. 
Ensuring  access  and  promoting  participation  of  Roma  children 
in quality inclusive pre-school education need to be reinforced. 
Engagement with all actors in this process is crucial. 
Worsening  early-school  leaving  rates  need  to  be  addressed. 
Transition  between  elementary  and  upper  secondary  schools 
should  be  facilitated  by  providing  career  guidance,  mentoring 
training 
and 
programmes, including those provided in detached branches of 
secondary  trade  schools  need  to  be  carefully  assessed  in  terms 
of inclusiveness, quality and labour market relevance 

scholarships.  Vocational 

education 

and 

EMPLOYMENT 

Roma  are  mostly  targeted  within  the  mainstream  measures  for 
the unemployed via trainings, subsidised jobs for the long-term 
unemployed  and  through  the  activation  work  programmes. 
There are also targeted outreach activities such as EU co-funded 
National  Projects  ‘Community  centres’  and  ‘Social  field  work 
in municipalities with marginalised Roma communities’. 
Social  considerations  in  public  procurement  piloted  in  2014-
2015  through  a  contract  performance  clause  requiring  the 
contractors to hire a set number of workers from disadvantaged 
groups, e.g. unemployed Roma. 

Roma  participation  in  the  Slovak  labour  market  remains  very 
weak. Innovative measures such as promoting social enterprises 
and Roma entrepreneurship, reaching out to private employers, 
do  not  appear  sufficiently  exploited.  Employment  effects  of 
measures should be closely monitored. 
A  tailored  approach  is  needed.  To  this  end,  the  close 
cooperation  with  other  public  and  private  sector  actors  should 
be prioritised. 
The  fight  against  discriminatory  practices  in  the  labour  market 
should  be  reinforced,  also  by  working  closely  with  the  Labour 
Inspection. 
Using social consideration in public procurement should be 
properly promoted to bring tangible results. 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HEALTHCARE 

Extension  of  ‘Healthy  Communities  Programme’  aiming  at 
through  participatory, 
promoting  access 
to  health  care 
trained  health 
(257 
community-based  health  mediation 
mediators, predominantly Roma in 239 localities). 

Empowering  Roma  as  Roma  health  mediators  is  seen  as  very 
positive.  The  outcomes  of  the  Programme  should  be  closely 
monitored and assessed. Greater focus needs to be paid to Roma 
women  and  children.  Accessibility  of  health  services  in 
disadvantaged regions needs to be improved. 
Providing  an  adequate  training  to  healthcare  professionals  in 
regular  contact  with  the  Roma  as  essential  prerequisite  for 
quality and effective healthcare should be ensured. The lack of 
GPs in disadvantaged regions should be addressed. 

HOUSING 

Support  for  the  settlement  of  property  ownership  of  land  on 
which the dwellings are located (3 municipalities supported). 
National subsidies for project documentation for construction of 
lower standard municipal rent flats (2 municipalities supported).  
Support for housing infrastructure and housing development. 

Housing  interventions  within  an  integrated  approach  remains 
challenge  to  be  addressed.  Engagement  with  local  actors, 
including  the  representatives  of  Roma  communities,  in  this 
process  is  of  crucial  importance.  The  positive  outcomes  of  the 
NGO  led  housing  projects  should  be  scaled  up  and  sustained 
(e.g.  the  preparatory  accompanying  measures  need  to  be  taken 
well in advance).  
In  order  to  avoid  further  isolation  (segregation)  of  Roma 
communities  housing  measures  should  contribute  to  physical 
integration.  Evictions  should  be  accompanied  by  an  offer  of 
adequate  alternative  social  housing  (including  through  ESIF 
investments). 
Regularisation of property rights where possible, in particular in 
informal settings should be reinforced. 
Access  for  Roma  to  social  housing,  also  by  using  the 
microloans  for  private  housing  should  be  ensured  and 
encouraged. Abolishment of informal settings (evictions) should 
be accompanied by adequate accompanying measures, including 
offering an alternative housing. 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The NRCP active involvement in design of policies (revision of 
7  Action  Plans  of  the  Strategy,  national  projects  co-financed 
from the ESIF, various calls) as well as in alignment of policies 
with  funding  (involvement  in  preparation  of  the  Operational 
Programmes).  
The NRCP is actively cooperating with line ministries, as well 
as  with  local  authorities  and  Roma  civil  society  organisations. 
There  is  also  well  established  cooperation  with  Equality  Body 
(Slovak National Centre for Human Rights). 
Local authorities and Roma NGOs involved in educational 
projects, field social work or setting community centres. 

The  NRCP,  although  being  an  advisory  body,  managed  to 
actively  contribute  to relevant  policies  and  planning  of  the  use 
of ESIF funds. Strengthening the human and financial resources 
of  both  the  NRCP  and  Equality  Body  should  be  prioritised  to 
further improve their effectiveness. 
Effective, 
transparent  coordination  mechanism  among  all 
stakeholders  should  be  promoted.  This  process  should  be 
facilitated through National Roma Platform.  
The  significant  barriers  such  as  lack  of  capacity,  sustainable 
funding on the side of civil society as well as resistance of local 
authorities to implement integrated sustainable measures need to 
be further addressed. 

MONITORING 

Internal evaluation system based on national Roma indicators is 
in  place.  Monitoring  is also ensured  through 6 regional offices 
of  the  NRCP.  The  external  evaluation  of  the  National  Roma 
Integration  Strategy  was  followed  by  the  revision  of  7  Action 
Plans.  However,  the  governemental  approval  of  these  revised 
Action plans is still pending. 
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF 

Monitoring  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  should  be  also 
prioritised.  Stronger  involvement  of  the  NGOs  and  other 
stakeholders is needed, also by providing a dedicated budget for 
external evaluation. 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
FUNDING 

In  the  2014-2020  a  total  of  €1.4  billion  (€837mio  ERDF, 
€434mio  ESF  and  €137mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
promoting  social 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including, but not limited to Roma). Under this amount, Slovak 
Republic  earmarked  €382.6  mio  (ERDF&ESF)  for  targeted 
Roma  integration  measures  out  of  which  €99  mio  for  the  new 
Roma-specific investment priority. 
Apart from social inclusion, investments under employment and 
education can also contribute to NRIS-implementation 

for 

the 

introduction  of  specific 
Complementarity  of  funds  and 
investment  priority 
integration  of  marginalised 
communities  such  as  Roma  is  seen  positive.  It  allows  for 
explicit  but  not  exclusive  targeting  and  better  monitoring  of 
results. In order to ensure the effective use of available funding, 
the  quality  and  result  oriented  projects  need  to  be  launched 
without delay. It has to be also ensured that ESIF funds are used 
for desegregation and do not contribute to (further) segregation 
of 
the 
Commission  guidance  on  desegregation).  Existing  possibilities 
to  support  Roma  inclusion  under  the  European  Agricultural 
Funds for Rural Development should be better exploited. 

communities/educational 

(following 

facilities 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Slovakia,has made important steps in addressing the serious challenges of the process of Roma integration, in particular in the areas 
of education, health and in mobilising the ESIF funding. There is partial progress in developing the cooperation and coordination 
among various stakeholders as well as in monitoring. The employment mainstream measures have not proved to have a tangible 
impact on increasing the participation of Roma in the labour market. The situation in housing has deteriorated. Stronger efforts, 
including individualised services and the effective use of ESIF funds under this programming period are needed to address these 
areas. 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SLOVENIA 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Discrimination  prevention  trainings  for  police  officers,  for 
employees of the pertinent public services and local authorities. 
Awareness  raising  events  targeting  Roma  women,  media 
programs  for  Roma.  Study  on  the  premature  and  forced 
marriages,  amendment  of  the  Criminal  Code  and  planned 
prevention activities.  
Empowerment  through  safeguards  for  Roma  councillors  in 
twenty  municipal  councils  and  the  Roma  Community  Council 
mandate,  support  for  the  Roma  associations  and  projects 
promoting  Roma  women 
socio-economic  emancipation. 
Comemoration  of  the  Romani  genocide.  Safeguard  for  Roma 
cultural projects selection. 

The  enforcement  of  antidiscrimination  legislation  should  be 
better monitored, including in employment and housing.  
Promote desegregation measures in housing. 
Promote  integrated  projects  tackling  disadvantages  in  all  key 
areas (e.g. education-housing-employment-health) 

Roma are a target group of the Social Assistance Program 
Pilot  day  Centre  for  Roma  children  (community  centres  in 
settlements) 

Evaluation  of  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  on  Roma 
should also be ensured. 
Initiative  to  fight  social  exclusion  in  the  most  deprived 
communities should be sustained and further developed. 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Targeted strategy for the education of Roma pupils and National 
Program  for  Adult  Education  that  pays  special  attention  to 
Roma 
Preparatory measures for inclusion in mainstream kindergartens 
Roma assistants positions and vocational program 
Support measures for kindergartens and classes including Roma 
children  (additional  financing,  extra  teachers’  posts,  fewer 
students  per  class,  funds  for  extra-curricular  activities,  school 
trips) 
‘Together to knowledge’ project for all levels of education co-
financed by ESF 

The  combination  of  targeted  and  mainstream  measures  for 
increasing the participation of Roma children in the mainstream 
early  childhood  education  should  be  further  supported  and 
sustained.  
Support should be ensured for the transition between education 
levels, especially between primary and secondary education,  
Sustain the Roma assistant positions and the vocational training 
opportunities for them. 

EMPLOYMENT 

for  active 
Target  group  under  mainstream  measures 
employment policies and public works, career guidance, formal 
education 
social 
and 
entrepreneurship  

training  programs, 

support 

for 

individual  assistance 

Initiatives  to  support  effective  access  to  the  labour  market  by 
providing 
(counselling)  should  be 
sustained and up-scaled. 
Opportunities  for  on-the-job  training  and  young  adult  learning 
should be better exploited.  
Participation  in  social  entrepreneurship  projects  should  be 
further supported. 

HEALTHCARE 

The National program includes targeted measures for Roma, in 
particular women and children, uninsured people in general 
Information  activities  for  the  Roma  population  on  several 
health-related 
raising  session 
targeting health professionals. 
‘Cooperation  for  health’  project  targeting    communities  with 
increased risk  

topics.  Cultural  awareness 

The impact of the health policy measures should be evaluated in 
order to ensure that the mainstream and targeted measures meet 
the identified needs. 
Ensure sustainability for the activities targeting the communities 
and groups most at risk.  

HOUSING 

Financial  incentives  for  municipalities  with  Roma  population 
for  regulation  of  the  basic  infrastructure.  Inclusion  of  Roma 
settlements in the municipal spatial plans is a pre-condition for 
legalisation and financing.  
Allocation  of  national 
the  basic 
infrastructure  in  Roma  settlements,  purchase  of  land  and 
preparation of projects (9 million EUR for 2007-2014; 1 million 
in 2016) 
New Resolution on National Housing Program 

improving 

funds 

for 

Ensuring  access  to  public  utilities  and  infrastructure  should  be 
sustained. Housing interventions should be part of an integrated 
approach with the objective of desegregation. 
The  impact  of  the  National  Housing  Program  on  Roma  should 
be  evaluated.  Effective  equal  access  to  public  rental  housing 
should be ensured. 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The NRCP is in charge of the cross-sectoral coordination of the 
NRIS  implementation  and  monitoring.  Involved  in  sectoral 
coordination and (ESIF) funding decisions. NRCP aims at being 
a link between the local and national level. 
New NRIS is in preparation 
Increase in adoption of municipal plans for Roma inclusion 

greater 

Increasing  the  resources  of  the  NRCP  and  the  Equality  Body 
this  will  allow  for  structural 
should  be  considered  as 
cooperation, 
and 
implementation capacity. 
Slovenia will receive Commission support to set up a National 
Roma Platform that should define and promote better incentives 
for the local level involvement. 

cross-sectoral 

coordination 

MONITORING 

Structural  involvement  of  all  public  and  civil  stakeholders  at 
national and local level in the monitoring and evaluation report. 

The  monitoring  and  evaluation  process  is  ongoing.  The 
outcomes  should  be  channelled  into  policy  review  and  new 
projects definition. 
The  reasons  for  the  lack  of  reporting  input  from  Civil  Roma 
organisation  and  the  Roma  Community  Council  should  be 
determined and remedied. 

FUNDING 

In  the  2014-20  period,  a  total  of    €262  mio  (€75  mio  ERDF, 
€145  mio  ESF  and  €42  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including,  but  not  limited  to  Roma).    There  is  no  specific 
funding  explicitely  targeting  Roma  under  ESIF  Operational 
Programs.  The  investment  priority  on  the  socio-economic 
integration of marginalised communities, such as Roma was not 
selected. 

Measures  targeting  Roma  should  be  carried  out  within  an 
integrated  approach  supported  by  adequate  funding  and 
guidance to local authorities for planning of such measures. 
Financing opportunities for the Municipal Roma inclusion plans 
should  also  be  explored  under 
the  Sustainable  Urban 
Development Strategies. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 

Slovenia reported steps to address several gaps highlighted in the 2014 assessment (education, awareness raising among 
practitioners and media, involvement of the NRCP in the programing of EU funds) and to implement more measures under the 
Council Recommendation. The growing focus on Roma women empowerment is a positive step to be further exploited. A new 
NRIS is being drafted for the period 2016-2021 and will be an important test for the transparency of the national consultation 
process and for the integration of the lessons learned from the expired strategy. Ensuring an appropriate support for the 
implementation of the Municipal Roma Integration Plans is crucial to steering progress on the ground. Structural cooperation and 
dialogue between the NRCP and the Equality Body should be established and the enforcement of antidiscrimination legislation 
should be further promoted and monitored in all key areas.  

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SPAIN  

HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Mainstreaming approach for non-discrimination as a horizontal 
principle in all policy areas. 
Actions and campaigns to break stereotypes and promote Roma 
culture. 
Implementation  of  the  working  plan  of  the  Ethnic  and  Racial 
Origin  Equality  Council  (since  2010)  aims  at  improving 
victims. 
knowledge 
Sustainability of the Service and Network for Assisting Victims 
of  Discrimination.  Establishment  of  hate 
and 
discrimination offices in public prosecution services. 
Development 
a  Network  of 
implementation  of 
Municipalities  for  Equality  and  Non-Discrimination  (2015 
project). 

discrimination 

assisting 

crime 

and 

and 

on 

Further  attention  to  fight  against  prejudice  and  stereotyping  in 
the  media  seems  necessary  as  this  has  a  direct  influence  on 
social acceptance and promotion of social inclusion projects.  
Activities 
strengthened by targeted and mainstream measures.  
Monitoring  of  discrimination  should  be  ensured  in  all  policy 
areas.  Awareness  on  the  laws  promoting  equal  treatment  and 
non-discrimination should be raised. 

to  combat  multiple  discriminations  should  be 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

Regional  programs  implementation.  Reference  to  the  2014 
study  of  the  FOESSA  Foundation  which  shows  that  the  Roma 
population continue to be disproportionally affected by poverty 
and social exclusion.14 

Need  to  indicate  the  objectives  of  poverty  reduction  for  the 
Roma  population  in  relation  to  Europe  2020  targets  in  the 
National  Reform  Programme.  Disaggregated  data  collection 
would allow defining quantitative targets for poverty reduction. 
Ensure  appropriate  resources 
the  National 
Strategy  for  the  Inclusion  of  the  Roma  population  for  2012-
2020.  

implement 

to 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

implementation  phase  of 

Several mainstream and targeted measures (actions) are reported 
per region aiming at reducing early school living, increasing the 
access  to  early  childcare  education,  encouraging  intercultural 
tolerance,  participation  in  secondary  and  tertiary  education, 
parental involvement, tailor made methods and teacher training. 
First 
for 
Improvement of the Quality of Education with main objective to 
reduce  early  school  leaving,  improve  teaching  of  basic  skills, 
the  socioeconomic 
tackle 
background  of 
labour  market 
relevance of university education. 
The participation of students in dual Vocational Education and 
Training (VET) has quadrupled since 2012. 

learning  difficulties  related 

the  Organic  Law 

the  students  and 

improve 

to 

in  communities 

Early school leaving remains a challenge to be addressed along 
with  provision  of  quality  mainstream  education.  Early  school 
leaving  and  school  failure  is  closely  linked  to  the  socio-
economic  background  of  families  and  education  attainment  of 
parents, which leads to the repetition of educational gaps across 
generations 
traditionally  marginalised.  A 
significant  number  of  regional  programmes  are  put  in  place 
which  is  positive  while  addressing  specific problems,  but  does 
not allow consistent action across the national territory and does 
not  take  into  account  the  mobility  needs  of  families  (for 
employment  reasons).  Attention  should  be  paid 
the 
sustainability  of  the  compensatory  measures  and  tailor-made 
support to fight early school leaving and school failure. 
The  impact  of  the  mainstream  reform  on  Roma  educational 
attainment  should  be  monitored,  evaluated  and  reported.  The 
early tracking of learning difficulties needs to be complemented 
with  individual  support  measures;  if  not,  the  new  alternative 
paths  (initial  VET,  Formación  Profesional  Básica)  could 
constitute  a  discriminatory  measure  whereby  Roma  students 
would preferably be geared to at an earlier age. 

to 

EMPLOYMENT 

Identified as the priority area (with the highest allocated budget) 
to  fight  poverty  and  social  exclusion  of  the  Roma  population. 
Elaboration  of  targeted  employment  programs  in  collaboration 
with Roma civil society organisations (e.g. sustainability for the 
main employment program ACCEDER) 
‘Work and Learn’ initiative for young people (18-30 years old) 
combines  theoretical  with  practical  training  in  real  work 
environments.  
The  Youth  Employment  Operational  Program  includes  two 
targeted projects for young Roma.   

Further attention should be paid to the young Roma who are not 
in  employment  or  training  (NEETs)  for  their  inclusion  in 
upskilling  activities,  on  the  job  training  and  supporting  first 
work  experiences.  Better  targeting  under  the  Spanish  Youth 
Guarantee  scheme  has  to be ensured  as well  as  effective  equal 
access to mainstream public employment services. 
Opportunities 
targeting the Roma population should be better exploited.  

self-employment  and  entrepreneurship 

for 

14 While the overall levels of social exclusion (of the Roma population) have remained stable at very high levels (around 70% 
in 2013), the share of those affected by severe exclusion has more than doubled since 2007 up to 54.4 %. 

67 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
HEALTHCARE 

Combination of mainstreamed and targeted measures. 
Specific  study  on  the  health  situation  of  Roma  (publication 
pending) 
Trainings  of  health  professionals  in  diversity  management  and 
Roma culture. Awareness raising activities among Roma on the 
available health services and health standards. 

Impact  of  both  mainstreamed  and  targeted  measures  should  be 
monitored  and  lead  to  a  policy  adjustment.  Specific  attention 
should be paid to the most vulnerable groups, including women, 
children  and  those  living  in  settlements.  Available  medical 
check-ups and their benefits should be further promoted. Access 
to services not covered by the national health system (e.g. dental 
and  ophthalmological  care,  hearing  aid,  preventive  practices) 
should be facilitated.  

HOUSING 

Measures  aiming  at  capacity  building  for  local  authorities  to 
make  use  of  ESF  and  ERDF  in  a  complementary  manner  and 
implement  integrated  projects.    Four  regions  have  adopted 
programs  for  the  eradication  of  shanty  towns  Madrid,  Murcia, 
Asturias and Catalonia.  
Study  on  the  housing  situation  of  Roma  in  Spain  is  to  be 
released in 2016. 

the  housing 

It  is  crucial  to  ensure  that  the  results  of  the  mapping  exercise 
will  lead  to  the  implementation  of  integrated  projects  in  the 
priority areas identified. 
The  reporting  exercise  should 
evaluation  of 
implementation. 
The  attention  of  local  and  urban  administrations  should  be 
drawn  to  financing  possibilities  in  the  framework  of  the  ESIF 
Funds  (for  example  the  Sustainable  Growth  OP  call  for 
integrated  urban  strategies  for  the  financing  of  housing 
infrastructure in reply to residential segregation in marginalized 
neighbourhoods). 

include  a  comprehensive 
integrated)  programs’ 

(and 

STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The State Council for the Roma People (CEPG) receives active 
support  from  the  Ministry  of  Health,  Social  Services  and 
Equality.  The  main  Roma  civil  society  organisations  are 
represented in this Council which allows for active participation 
in the policy cycle. 
The  NRCP  has  been  actively  involved  in  the  programming  of 
the  ESIF  2014-2020  and  in  the  design  of  the  Partnership 
Agreement. 
Two  autonomous  communities  have  chosen  the  investment 
priority  specifically  targeting  the  ‘socio-economic  inclusion  of 
marginalised communities such as Roma (Madrid and Murcia) 
The  EUROMA  network  (ESF  units  in  cooperation  with 
Fundación  Secretariado  Gitano)  supports  and  promotes  the 
transnational cooperation on social inclusion. 

Although  progress  has  been  achieved  in  involving  more  local 
authorities, the coordination between the national-regional-local 
levels needs to be improved.  
The  role  and  resources  of  the  Equality  body  should  be 
strengthened.  
The  local  level  implementation  of  the  NRIS  should  be 
strengthened  through  better  guidance  and  incentives  for  local 
authorities to take action. 
The  national  Roma  platform,  financed  by  the  Commission, 
should contribute to greater involvement with civil society and 
all relevant stakeholders. 

MONITORING 

Implementation of the Operational plan for 2014-2016.  
For the ESF OPs, a monitoring/ evaluation system is in place to 
follow  the  evolution  of  the  number  of  Roma  participating  in 
different  actions  e.g.  job-seekers  from  the  Roma  community 
who look for work and manage to participate in training, acquire 
a  professional  qualification  and  become  employed  or  self-
employed.  
Having a robust monitoring framework in place to evaluate the 
impact  of  Roma  integration  actions  is  a  requirement  under  the 
2014-2020 ESIF 

local 

level 

Several  steps  have  been  taken  in  involving  all  stakeholders 
(regions,  ministries  and  civil  society)  in  the  monitoring  and 
reporting mechanism. However, more efforts are needed both at 
national  and 
the  reporting  and 
monitoring.  A  long  list  of  activities  (programs,  projects, 
measures)  was  reported  with  variable  data  available  across  the 
implementing  institutions.  However,  the  relevance  for  the 
purpose of the assessment exercise is of limited scope. 
Identifying impact indicators and improving data collection are 
challenges to be addressed.  

improve 

to 

FUNDING 

In the 2014-20 period a total of €3.5 billion (€688 mio ERDF, 
€2  billion  ESF  and  €767  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including, but not  limited to Roma). Under this amount Spain 
also  selected  a  new  Roma-specific 
investment  priority 
(explicitly targeting Roma) with a total allocation of €48 million 
mainly  in  the  framework  of  4  Operational  Programmes  (3 
regional  programmes  for  Cantabria,  Castilla  la  Mancha,  and 
Murcia and the National Programme for Social Inclusion).  

ERDF Operational Program ‘Sustainable Development’ offers a 
mainstream  framework  for  local  and  urban  administrations  to 
develop  integrated  urban  strategies  and  benefit  from  ERDF 
funding for investment in housing and from ESF for investment 
in  social  and  labour  market  integration  measures.  Local 
authorities  should  be  encouraged  to  use  this  opportunities  for 
Roma  inclusion  projects,  in  particular  in  the  priority  areas 
identified. 
Funding opportunities for Roma inclusion at local and national 
level need to be better exploited. 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
Spain reports numerous mainstream and targeted measures to support the participation of Roma students at all levels of education. 
However, the fragmentation of programmes and the students’ attainment strongly linked to the socio-economic background of the 
parents are still challenges to be addressed in order to ensure equal educational opportunities for children from vulnerable  Roma 
communities. In the employment area, the national targeted programmes have been sustained. The existing integrated projects and 
the  adoption of  new  programs  for  slum  eradication  are  positive  steps.  In  this respect, a  better  use of  the  financing opportunities 
under  the  ‘Sustainable  Growth’  Operation  Program  (ERDF)  should  be  promoted.  Convincingly  fighting  poverty  and  social 
exclusion  requires  better  coordination at  the  horizontal level  (among  ministries)  as well  as  at  the vertical  level  (among national, 
regional and local levels) . Monitoring, evaluation and reporting, including the impact of mainstream measures on Roma inclusion 
policies, should be improved in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders.  

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SWEDEN  

HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN  

Efforts  to  implement  the  Government  Strategy  for  Roma 
Inclusion  are  based  on  human  rights  and  the  principle  of  non-
discrimination.  
The Living History Forum’s work, including the exhibition ‘We 
are  Roma:  Meet  the  people  behind  the  myth’,  which  ended  in 
2015  has  been  an 
to  fight 
discrimination  through  improved  knowledge  of  Roma  in 
society. 

important  part  of  efforts 

There have been positive developments in efforts to integrate a 
human  rights  perspective  in  the  Swedish  sectorial  policies. 
However, there is still a need for more knowledge about human 
rights and what they mean for the public sector. 
Work  aimed  at  promoting  gender  equality  and  the  rights  of 
Roma  women  requires  stronger  support  and closer  cooperation 
with Roma representatives, especially women.  

No information provided. 

KEY ELEMENTS 

POVERTY REDUCTION  

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

According to a study on the current situation of the Roma in the 
five pilot municipalities presented by the County Administrative 
Board  of  Stockholm,  there  is  an  increasing  number  of  Roma 
children  attending  pre-school,  more  and  more  Roma  pupils 
completing  compulsory  school  and  moving  on  to  upper 
secondary school.  
Romani is one of five officially recognised minority languages 
in Sweden but as recent evaluation by National School Agency 
has shown, schools are doing very little to promote the language 
and children’s dual cultural identity’.  

According  to  this  study,  the  situation  improved  compared  to 
2014, mainly due to activities (support to training and working 
of  Roma  mediators)  implemented  by  the  National  Agency  for 
Education. 
Mistrust between Roma and education providers / schools risks 
hampering efforts to improve the situation of Roma. 

EMPLOYMENT 

In  five  pilot  municipalities,  dedicated  mediators  help  bring 
Roma  closer  to  the  labour  market.  The  Public  Employment 
Service  has  also  made  efforts  to  ensure  that  its  employees  are 
aware of the position of Roma as a national minority.  
The  online  course  ‘Equality  for  Roma  in  the  labour  market’  is 
now included in the agency’s programme for new employees. 

Prejudice and negative perceptions of Roma as a group are still 
a major obstacle for Roma in the labour market. A mechanism 
should  be  put  in  place  to  improve  the  ‘employability’  of  the 
Roma, in parallel to fighting discrimination. 

HEALTHCARE 

The National Board of Health and Welfare has been  instructed 
to  prepare  and  make  available  a  training  course  to  train 
individuals with Roma language and cultural skills (mediators) 
for work  in  areas  such as health  care  and  the  Swedish Agency 
for Youth and Civil Society has implemented a drive to support 
civil society work on health promotion for Roma. 
Roma girls and women feel they are treated less well by various 
actors in society, have less trust in various public functions and 
have poorer health than the overall female population.  

There  is  a  need  to  prioritise  and  work  continuously  on  contact 
issues when  it  comes  to  Roma.  There  is also  a need for health 
information targeted to Roma, in order to make them aware of 
their rights. Meanwhile, training for health professionals should 
be considered. In general, the impact of health policy measures 
should  be  measured  in  order  to  ensure  that  the  needs  of  the 
Roma are met. 
An in-depth study from 2015 shows that Roma women and girls 
need targeted measures. 
There  is  also  a  need  to  improve  communication  between  the 
Roma  and  the  healthcare  workers.  Besides  health  mediation, 
awareness-raising  among  Roma  and  training  of  healthcare 
workers could help with this. 

HOUSING 

in  2014 

rights  and  opportunities, 

Roma still experience difficulties in the housing market, due to 
discrimination  as  well  as  other  reasons. As  part of  its work on 
the  Equality 
Roma 
Ombudsman  initiated  a  dialogue  with  the  National  Board  of 
Housing,  Building  and  Planning  (amongst  others)  in  order  to 
develop joint projects on discrimination in the housing area. 
There are a rising number of migrants from some of the poorest 
EU countries living under distressed circumstances in Sweden. 
Among  them  are  a  large  number  of  homeless  members  of  the 
minority  Roma  communities  from  Romania.  As  they  are  EU 
citizens and not third country nationals, the national government 
does not subsidise local municipalities at all for their housing 

Complaints to the Equality Ombudsman show that Roma often 
have  limited  access  to  housing.  Half  of  all  judgments  and 
settlements  on  housing  discrimination  concern  Roma.  In  some 
cases Roma citizens have been denied access to rental properties 
or to purchasing a tenant-owner apartment, in other cases Roma 
have been harassed by their landlord.  

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

The  city  of  Gothenburg  was  selected  through  a  competitive 
process  by  the  national  government  to  be  one  of  five  pilot 
municipalities  for  Roma  inclusion  2012-2015  as  part  of  the 
Swedish 20-year strategy (until 2032). The main aim is to close 
the prosperity gap between Roma and other groups and combat 
anti-tsiganism 
the 
objective  for  this  new  period  will  be  to  strengthen  dialogue 
between the local authority and Roma community.  

raising).  For  Gothenburg, 

(awareness 

The need to systematise and formalise the dialogue with Roma, 
but also the need to strengthen Roma civil society so that Roma 
representatives  have  a  real  chance  to  respond  to  offers  to 
participate  in  consultations  and  other  dialogue,  remains  a 
difficult  challenge  which  should  be  addressed.  NRCP  should 
pursue active cooperation with the Equality Body. 

The  County  Administrative  Board’s  status  report  has  been 
produced  in  close  cooperation  with  Roma  organisations  and 
experts. The work is based on a rights perspective and provides 
a  good  basis  for  future  monitoring  of  work  at  local  level  to 
ensure that Roma’s rights are respected. 

Monitoring  the  impact  of  mainstream  measures  and  activities 
undertaken on Roma should be ensured. Participation of Roma 
in the process should be encouraged. 

MONITORING 

FUNDING 

During  the  2014-20  period  a  total  of  €  340  mio  has  been 
allocated to promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and 
any  discrimination, 
socially 
disadvantaged  (including,  but  not  limited  to  Roma).  The 
Investment  Priority  on  the  socio-economic  integration  of 
marginalised communities, such as Roma was not selected. 

targeting 

action 

the 

to 

Further  use  of  existing  possibilities  under  the  EU  funds  to 
support Roma inclusion should be explored. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 
There  are  an  increasing  number  of  Roma  children  attending  pre-school,  more  and  more  Roma  pupils  completing  compulsory 
school and moving on to upper secondary school.  
Many Roma often have limited access to housing. Roma women and girls need targeted healthcare measures. Negative perceptions 
of Roma as a group are still a major obstacle for Roma in the labour market and housing. A monitoring mechanism should be put in 
place to assess the impact of mainstream policy measures on Roma and dialogue with Roma should be ensured. 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITED KINGDOM  
(Gypsy and Traveller communities are included under the umbrella term Roma) 
HORIZONTAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-GYPSYISM, PROTECTION OF ROMA CHILDREN AND WOMEN.  

Mainstream  measures  preventing  discrimination, 
including 
fighting hate crime (England, Wales), protecting Roma women 
and children addressed under Women’ empowerment fund. 
Teaching  materials,  guides  promoting  inter-cultural  dialogue 
and  understanding.  Involvement  of  the  National  Federation  of 
Gypsy Liaison Groups (representatives of Gypsy, Traveller and 
the  consultation  process  with 
Roma  organisations) 
Government departments (England). Increasing number of civil 
society  organisations 
(Leeds,  Glasgow,  Derby,  Luton, 
Manchester,  Sheffield,  East  Anglia)  developing  Roma 
advocacy,  mediation,  community  engagement  and  policy 
development. 

in 

Ensuring  equality  and  non-discriminatory  practices  by  service 
providers remain challenge to be addressed. Activities aimed at 
fighting stereotyping  media  coverage, prejudices  against Roma 
and  combating  anti-Roma  rhetoric  and  hate  speech  should  be 
taken. To this end, the public authorities and representatives of 
Roma communities should work together. 
Multiple disadvantages faced by Roma women and Roma 
children need more specific measures. Awareness raising 
training and information on human rights should be provided. 

•  No measures are reported.  

KEY ELEMENTS 

POVERTY REDUCTION 

POLICY AREAS 

EDUCATION 

ASSESSMENT 

Free  school  lunches  (Pupil  Premium, 
  England),  control 
activities  by  Ofsted,  School  Inspection  (England),  measures 
fighting all forms of bullying (England, Wales), toolkit provided 
to teachers working with Roma, curriculum materials for use in 
secondary  schools  on  cultural  awareness  and  understanding  of  
Gypsies and Travellers (Wales), 100 cross-community Summer 
Camps programme (Northern Ireland). 

More targeted support should be followed when addressing the 
low attendance and poor attainment of Roma pupils.  
The  local  authorities  and  the  academies  (schools)  responsible 
for educational outcomes of pupils should work in coordinated 
way  and  ensure  that  these  children  have  access  to  the 
mainstream measures. 

EMPLOYMENT 

Mainstream  measures  aiming  at  increasing  ethnic  minority 
employment and participation in the labour market 

to  and 

to  ensure  access 

targeted  approach 

A 
increase 
participation  of  Roma  to  employment  mainstream  measures  is 
needed in addition to helping them avoid falling into dangerous 
and exploitative work conditions within the informal economy.  
The  opportunities  under  the  ESF  funding  to  support  local 
employment programmes, and for which Roma can also benefit 
from, should be further explored 

HEALTHCARE 

targeted  measures, 
including  various 
Mainstream 
and 
(England,  Wales,  Scotland),  cultural 
publications/guides 
(Wales), 
to  healthcare  practitioners 
advice 
awareness 
assessment reports on health needs of Gypsies and Travellers by 
Local  Health  Boards  and  Clinics  (Wales),  Employment  of 
Traveller  and  Roma  Community  Health  Workers  (Northern 
Ireland) 

Greater  focus  on  tackling  the  health  inequalities  of  Roma  is 
needed.  The  health  needs’  assessment  should  be  carried  out 
throughout the UK.  
Further  targeted  measures  to  improve  the  Roma  health  status 
should  be  considered  with  a  special  attention  to  women  and 
children. 
Communities’  participation  in  health  and  social  care  initiatives 
should be scaled up.  
The  cultural  awareness  competency  measures  for  health  staff 
should be provided throughout the UK. 

HOUSING 

Planning  Policy  for  Traveller  Sites,  presenting  new  concept  of 
defining  Travellers  for  planning  sites  purposes,    statutory  duty 
for local authorities to assess accommodation needs and provide 
Traveller  sites  where  there  is  a  need  and  support  for  the 
development of new sites (England, Wales); 
Mainstream programme supporting affordable homes, providing 
for the Traveller Pitch Funding (England); 
Gypsy  and  Traveller  Sites  Capital  Grant  and  Caravan  Count 
System (Wales) Site provision for Gypsy/Travellers (Scotland). 

The  lack  of  authorised  sites  still  remains  a  challenge  to  be 
addressed. Within the local planning approach, the involvement 
and  close  cooperation  with  representatives  of  Roma  and  social 
services should be strengthened.  
Planning policies and decisions should be carefully assessed in 
order to eliminate discriminatory practices and advance equality 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STRUCTURAL MEASURES 

KEY ELEMENTS 

ASSESSMENT 

COOPERATION AND COORDINATION 
(NRCP, civil and local actors, equality bodies, transnational cooperation) 

Involvement  of  the  NRCP  in  coordination  of  the  relevant 
Government Departments’ reports, in supporting the work of the 
Ministerial  Working  Group  on  preventing  and 
tackling 
inequalities experienced by Gypsies and Travellers as well as in 
facilitating  the  work  of  the  National  Federation  of  Gypsy 
Liaison Groups.  
The  NRCP  also  financially  supports  the  integration  projects 
(e.g.  City  of  Sheffield).  Transnational  cooperation  of  city  of 
Glasgow with cities in Slovakia and Romania. 
No  measures  are  reported  on  the  cooperation  with  the  UK 
Equality body. 

Strengthening  further  the  capacity  building  of  Roma  and  their 
involvement  in  design,  implementation  and  monitoring  of 
policies  relevant  to  them  is  essential.  The  cooperation  with 
Equality  body  should  be  established.  The  outcomes  of  the 
Equality  Body  reports  should  be  well  reflected  in  design  of 
relevant policies.  

No measures are reported, although there are assessment reports 
and  data  available,  in  particular  in  the  areas  of  education  and 
health.  

Measuring the impact of mainstream measures on the situation 
of  Roma,  should  be  put  in  place.  The  outcomes  of  the 
assessment reports should be well reflected in policy design and 
implementation. 

MONITORING 

FUNDING 

In  the  2014-2020  period  of  total  of  €1,3  bio  (€51  mio  ERDF, 
€1.1  bio  ESF  and  €123  mio  EAFRD)  has  been  allocated  to 
promoting  social 
inclusion,  combating  poverty  and  any 
discrimination,  targeting  action  to  the  socially  disadvantaged 
(including, but not limited to Roma 

Existing  possibilities  under  the  ESIF  funds  for  targeted 
measures to support inclusion Roma should be further exploited 
and effectively implemented. 

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS 

The mainstream approaches have not demonstrated sufficient impact on improving the situation of Roma.  Targeted measures 
could be further exploited by also using the existing possibilities under the ESIF funds. Scaling up the existing initiatives 
implemented throughout the UK should also be explored. 
Cooperation between national and local authorities needs to be addressed, as well as the involvement of Roma in the design, 
implementation and monitoring of relevant measures. Evidence gathering should also be developed to enable the assessment of the 
impact of the measures. 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5  ENLARGEMENT: COUNTRY FICHES 

Roma population 

Roma integration Strategy  

ALBANIA 
(Egyptians are included under the umbrella term Roma) 
COUNTRY DATA 
CoE 2012 "average" estimate 
Estimated % of population 
- No specific strategy on Roma Integration. The Social Inclusion Policy 
Document (2015-2020) is closely linked to the Roma and Egyptians 
Action Plan 

115,000 
3.59% 

- National Strategy on Employment and Skills (2014-2020), general 

strategy including some indicators related to the Roma and Egyptian 
community 

National Action Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptians in the 
Republic of Albania 2015-2020  
- Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth (main responsibility of 

coordination of policy coordination and social protection/employment 
and vocational education). 

- Integrated Management Policy Group on employment and social 

inclusion  
- Ombudsman 
- Commissioner, Office for Protection Against Discrimination 
- 

Roma integration Action Plan  

Government bodies responsible 
for Roma integration  

Independent bodies involved in 
Roma integration 
Bodies involving NGO in 
preparing/implementing Roma 
policies 

Education  

Employment  

Health 

Housing 

STATE OF PLAY: ROMA DATA IN PRIORITY AREAS 

Attend pre-school education  
Placed in special schools 
Complete primary education 
Complete secondary 
Employed 
Employment in informal sector  
Unemployed 
Access to health insurance  
Infant mortality 
Life expectancy 
No drinking water at home 
No electricity  
Holding property documents 
Segregated housing 

26% (24% females) 
- 
27% (25% females) 
3% (3% females) 
48% (38% females) 
45% (36% females) 
43% (54% females) 
32% (34% females) 
- 
- 
58%  
11%  
74%  
48%  

EU DIALOGUE ON ROMA INTEGRATION 

Roma Seminars  
Stabilisation and Association 
Agreement  
Post visa free monitoring 

High level Accession Dialogue 

Third seminar on 20 April 2016 
- Subcommittee on Justice, Security, Freedom 
- Subcommittee on Innovation, Information society and Social Policies 
Fifth Report on the Post-Visa Liberalisation Monitoring for the Western 
Balkan Countries: "The Commission recommends that each visa-free 
Western Balkan country continues to increase targeted assistance to 
minority populations, in particular those of Roma ethnicity, aiming to 
improve their long-term socio-economic integration via educational, 
employment and vocational training programmes, including by 
implementing national strategies and using domestic assistance, supported 
by available EU assistance and bilateral assistance offered by EU Member 
States;". 
- Roma are included in the five key priorities for the opening of accession 
negotiations: "5. take effective measures to reinforce the protection of 
human rights, including of Roma, and anti-discrimination policies, as 
well as implement property rights." 

IPA funds allocated to Roma 
integration (2007-2015) 

EUR 13.15 million 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 
COUNTRY DATA 

CoE 2012 "average" estimate 
Estimated % of population 
Roma Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2005) 
- Revised action plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina for addressing Roma 
issues in the field of employment, housing and healthcare 2013-2016  
- Revised Action Plan of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Roma educational 

58,000 
1.54% 

needs (2010) 

- The Roma Board as an advisory body of the Council of Ministers 
- The Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees (MHRR) 
- Inter-ministerial expert team for the monitoring of the Revised action 
plan in the field of employment, housing and healthcare within the 
MHRR 

Ombudsman  

Roma Population 

Roma integration Strategy  
Roma integration Action Plan  

Government bodies responsible 
for Roma integration  

Independent bodies involved in 
Roma integration 
Bodies involving NGO in 
preparing/implementing Roma 
policies 

- The Roma Board 
- The Council of National Minorities of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly 
- The Council of National Minorities of the RS  
- The Council of National Minorities of the FBiH 
STATE OF PLAY: ROMA DATA IN PRIORITY AREAS 

Education  

Employment  

Health 

Housing 

Roma Seminars  
Stabilisation and Association 
Agreement and monitoring 
bodies  
Post visa free monitoring 

IPA funds allocated to Roma 
integration (2007-2015) 

Attend pre-school education  
Placed in special schools 
Complete primary education 
Complete secondary 
Employed 
Employment in informal sector  
Unemployed 
Access to health insurance  
Infant mortality 
Life expectancy 
No drinking water at home 
No electricity  
Holding property documents 
Segregated housing 

6 %  
0.5 %  
40 % (34 % females) 
10 % (7 % females) 
19 % (5 % females) 
- 
31 %  
68 %  
- 
- 
20%  
15%  
49%  
72%  
EU DIALOGUE ON ROMA INTEGRATION 
Third seminar on 18-19 June 2015  
- Subcommittee on Justice, Security, Freedom 
- Subcommittee on Research, Innovation, Information society, Social, 

Employment, Education 

Fifth Report on the Post-Visa Liberalisation Monitoring for the Western 
Balkan Countries: "The Commission recommends that each visa-free 
Western Balkan country continues to increase targeted assistance to 
minority populations, in particular those of Roma ethnicity, aiming to 
improve their long-term socio-economic integration via educational, 
employment and vocational training programmes, including by 
implementing national strategies and using domestic assistance, supported 
by available EU assistance and bilateral assistance offered by EU Member 
States;". 
EUR 6.81 million 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Roma population 

KOSOVO 
(Ashkali and Egyptians are included under the umbrella term Roma) 
COUNTRY DATA 
CoE 2012 "average" estimate 
Estimated % of population 
Strategy for the Integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Communities 
in Kosovo 2009-2015  
2009-15 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Action Plan 
- Deputy Prime Minister Office 
- Inter-ministerial Steering Committee 
- Office of Good Governance, Human rights, Equal opportunities and 

37,000 
2.07% 

Roma integration Strategy  

Roma integration Action Plan  
Government bodies responsible 
for Roma integration  

Non-discrimination, under the Office of the Prime Minister 

- Ministry for Communities and Return 
- Office for Community Affairs 
- Communities Consultative Council, under the Office of the President 
Ombudsman 

Office of Good Governance at the Prime Minister’s Office 

Independent bodies involved in 
Roma integration 
Bodies involving NGO in 
preparing/implementing Roma 
policies 

Education  

Employment  

Health 

Housing 

STATE OF PLAY: ROMA DATA IN PRIORITY AREAS 

Attend pre-school education  
Placed in special schools 
Complete primary education 
Complete secondary 
Employed 
Employment in informal sector  
Unemployed 
Access to health insurance  
Infant mortality 
Life expectancy 
No drinking water at home 
No electricity  
Holding property documents 
Segregated housing 

16.1 % (16.1 % females) 
- 
88 % (73 % females) 
34 % (27 % females)  
- 
- 
- 
- 
41 per 1,000  
- 
45%  
- 
- 
- 

Roma Seminars  
Stabilisation and Association 
Agreement monitoring bodies  

EU DIALOGUE ON ROMA INTEGRATION 
Third seminar on 12 November 2015  
- Stabilisation and Association Process Dialogue on Justice, Freedom, 

Security 

- Stabilisation and Association Process Dialogue on Innovation, Human 

Capital, Social Policies and Information Society 

Visa liberalisation, Road Map 

- Visa liberalisation with Kosovo roadmap: "To implement the 

reintegration strategy and action plan … enhancing the access of 
returnees, notably those from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian 
minorities, to employment, vocational training and education", … and to 
"adopt and implement measures that enhance the effective integration of 
persons belonging to the Kosovo Serb, Roma, Ashkali, Egyptian, 
Bosniak, Turkish and Gorani minorities". 

- Assessment of December 2015 "Third report on progress by Kosovo in 

fulfilling the requirements of the visa liberalisation roadmap": The 
government has also continued implementing the strategy and action 
plan for integration of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. 
Further funding was allocated and spent at local level, to benefit 
different undertakings targeting the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian 
minorities".  

IPA funds allocated to Roma 
integration (2007-2015) 

EUR 16.83 million  

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MONTENEGRO 
(Egyptians are included under the umbrella term Roma) 
COUNTRY DATA 

Roma Population 

Roma integration Strategy  

CoE 2012 "average" estimate 
Estimated % of population 
- Strategy for improvement of position of Roma and Egyptians in 

20,000 
3.17% 

Roma integration Action Plan  

Government bodies responsible 
for Roma integration 
Independent bodies involved in 
Roma integration  
Bodies involving NGO in 
preparing/implementing Roma 
policies 

Montenegro 2012-2016  

- Strategy for finding durable solutions for I/DPs 2011-2015 
Action Plan of implementation the strategy for improving the position of 
Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro 2012-2016 
- Ministry of Human and Minority Rights 
- Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (I/DPs) 
- Ombudsman 

- Roma Council 
- Committee for monitoring implementation of "Strategy for 

improvement of position of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro"  

- Negotiating team, Chapter 23 

STATE OF PLAY: ROMA DATA IN PRIORITY AREAS 

Education  

Employment  

Health 

Housing 

Attend pre-school education  
Placed in special schools 
Complete primary education 
Complete secondary 
Employed 
Employment in informal sector  
Unemployed 
Access to health insurance  
Infant mortality 

24% (19% females)  
42% (43% females) 
29% (18% females) 
8% (5% females) 
36% (9% females) 
56% (51% females) 
30% (41% females) 
95%  
26 per 1,000 (26 per 1,000 
females) 
51 years (53.8 years females) 
24% (23% females) 
14% (15% females) 
59%  
55%  
EU DIALOGUE ON ROMA INTEGRATION 

Life expectancy 
No drinking water at home 
No electricity  
Holding property documents 
Segregated housing 

Roma Seminars  
Stabilisation and Association 
Agreement  

Second Seminar  on 10 June 2014. Third Seminar second half 2016. 
- Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security 
- Subcommittee on Innovation, Human resources, Information society, 

Post visa free monitoring 

Negotiations Chapter 19 Social 
Policy and Employment 

Social policy 

Fifth Report on the Post-Visa Liberalisation Monitoring for the Western 
Balkan Countries: "The Commission recommends that each visa-free 
Western Balkan country continues to increase targeted assistance to 
minority populations, in particular those of Roma ethnicity, aiming to 
improve their long-term socio-economic integration via educational, 
employment and vocational training programmes, including by 
implementing national strategies and using domestic assistance, 
supported by available EU assistance and bilateral assistance offered by 
EU Member States;". 
- 2014 Screening report: Montenegro to fulfil measures regarding social 

inclusion; anti-discrimination and social protection. 

- 2015 Action Plan: Montenegro to fulfil measures regarding social 
inclusion though implementation of the Strategy for improving the 
situation of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians. 

Negotiations Chapter 23 

- 2012 Screening report: Montenegro to fulfil measures regarding: 

Respect for and protection of minorities and cultural rights. 

- The 2013 Action Plan for Chapter 23 Judiciary And Fundamental 

Rights includes 52 Roma related measures: Under "Recommendations 
3.6. A: Take concrete steps to ensure practical implementation of non-
discrimination, including through strengthening of the monitoring 
bodies and more effective reactions of the law enforcement bodies to 
possible violations;" and under "3.10. A: Take concrete measure to 
prevent discrimination of minorities. Ensure continuous registration of 
the Roma Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) population, as well as their 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
equal access to economic and social rights and their adequate 
representation in public authorities. Particular focus should be given to 
improve the living conditions of the poorest part of the RAE 
population."  

- 2013 EU Common Position: Under "3. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: 

Protection of minorities and cultural rights; Interim benchmarks, 
fundamental rights: Montenegro steps up the protection of minorities 
and cultural rights." 

IPA funds allocated to Roma 
integration (2007-2015) 

EUR 11.71 million  

78 

 
 
 
 
 
FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 
COUNTRY DATA 

Roma population 

Roma integration Strategy  
Roma integration Action Plan  

Government bodies responsible for 
Roma integration  
Independent bodies involved in 
Roma integration 
Bodies involving NGOs in 
preparing/implementing Roma 
policies 

197,000 
9.56% 

CoE 2012 "average" estimate  
Estimated % of population 
Roma Inclusion Strategy 2014-2020 
- Action plans for: Health, Employment, Education,  
- Housing and Action Plan for Roma Women  
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Roma Departments  
- Minister without Portfolio, in charged for Roma issues 
- Deputy Ombudsman, in charge of Roma Integration 
- Association of the Units of Local Self-Government 
- National Coordinative Body for implementation of the Roma Inclusion 

Strategy 

- Locale Coordinative Bodies for implementation of the Roma Inclusion 

Strategy  

STATE OF PLAY: ROMA DATA IN PRIORITY AREAS 

Education  

Employment  

Health 

Housing 

Attend pre-school education  
Placed in special schools 
Complete primary education 
Complete secondary 
Employed 
Employment in informal sector  
Unemployed 
Access to health insurance  
Infant mortality 

Life expectancy 
No drinking water at home 
No electricity  
Holding property documents 
Segregated housing 

38% (35% females) 
2% (2% females) 
73% (64% females) 
12% (7% females) 
23% (10% females) 
59% (62% females) 
49% (65% females) 
93% (94% females) 
17.4 per 1,000 (18.9 per 1,000 
females) 
59.3 years (60.7 years females) 
5%  
4%  
93%  
91%  

EU DIALOGUE ON ROMA INTEGRATION 

Roma Seminars  
Stabilisation and Association 
Agreement  

Second Seminar on 28 February 2012. Third Seminar second half 2016. 
- Subcommittee on Justice, Security, Freedom 
- Subcommittee on Research, Innovation, Information society, Social, 

Post visa free monitoring 

High Level Accession Dialogue  

Employment, Education 

Fifth Report on the Post-Visa Liberalisation Monitoring for the Western 
Balkan Countries: "The Commission recommends that each visa-free 
Western Balkan country continues to increase targeted assistance to 
minority populations, in particular those of Roma ethnicity, aiming to 
improve their long-term socio-economic integration via educational, 
employment and vocational training programmes, including by 
implementing national strategies and using domestic assistance, supported 
by available EU assistance and bilateral assistance offered by EU Member 
States;". 
- Conclusions from the High Level meeting of 18 September 2015: 

Develop new Action Plans related to the new Roma Inclusion Strategy; 
Continue to follow up and implement the conclusions from Roma 
seminar and subsequent governmental Action Plan, including 
organisation of semi-annual progress review meetings; The Ministry of 
labour and Social Policy to maintain regular coordination and contacts 
with stakeholders, establish (inter-ministerial) Working Group to 
implement conclusions of Zagreb Declaration for persons without 
identification documents;  

- Implement measures on over-representation of Roma children in special 

IPA funds allocated to Roma 
integration (2007-2015) 

schools. 

EUR 7.83 million 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Roma population 

SERBIA 
COUNTRY DATA 
CoE 2012 "average" estimate 

600,000 

Roma integration Strategy  

Roma integration Action Plan  

Government bodies responsible 
for Roma integration  

8.23% 

Estimated % of population 
Strategy for the social inclusion of the Roma in the Republic of Serbia 
2016-2025  
Strategy for Improvement of the Status of Roma in the Republic of Serbia 
and Action Plan (2010) 
- Deputy Prime Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure in 
charge of internal governmental coordination regarding Roma inclusion 

Independent bodies involved in 
Roma integration  
Bodies involving NGO in 
preparing/implementing Roma 
policies 

- Office for Human and Minority Rights 
- Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Unit 
- Ombudsman 
- Commissioner for equality  
- Council for the improvement of the status of Roma 
- National Council of Roma National Minority  
- Association of local Roma coordinators 
- Association of pedagogical assistants  

STATE OF PLAY: ROMA DATA IN PRIORITY AREAS 

Education  

Employment  

Health 

Housing 

Roma Integration Seminars  
Stabilisation and Association 
Agreement and monitoring 
bodies 
Post visa free monitoring 

Attend pre-school education  
Placed in special schools 
Complete primary education 
Complete secondary 
Employed 
Employment in informal sector  
Unemployed 
Access to health insurance  
Infant mortality 
Life expectancy 
No drinking water at home 
No electricity  
Holding property documents 
Segregated housing 

63% (62% females)  
40%  
46 % (45% females)  
13% (7% females)  
64% (71% females)  
22% (12% females)  
19% (15% females) 
93% (95% females)  
14 per 1,000 (9 per 1,000 females)  
62.2 years (64.2 years females) 
16%  
3%  
32%  
65%  
EU DIALOGUE ON ROMA INTEGRATION 

- Third Seminar on 11 June 2015  
- Subcommittee on Justice, Security, Freedom 
- Subcommittee on Research, Innovation, Information society, Social, 

Negotiations Chapter 19 Social 
Policy and Employment 

Negotiations Chapter 23 
Judiciary and fundamental 
rights 

Employment, Education 

Fifth Report on the Post-Visa Liberalisation Monitoring for the Western 
Balkan Countries: "The Commission recommends that each visa-free 
Western Balkan country continues to increase targeted assistance to 
minority populations, in particular those of Roma ethnicity, aiming to 
improve their long-term socio-economic integration via educational, 
employment and vocational training programmes, including by 
implementing national strategies and using domestic assistance, supported 
by available EU assistance and bilateral assistance offered by EU Member 
States;". 
Screening report recommendations: "Efforts need to be stepped up in 
order to ensure social inclusion of vulnerable groups, such as Roma, …; 
In the health care sector, equal access to health care services needs to be 
ensured, also for representatives of socially disadvantaged groups, e.g. 
Roma." 
- 2014 Screening report: "Recommendations: Serbia should start 

preparations for adopting at the end of 2014 a new multi-annual strategy 
and action plan to improve living conditions of Roma, including actions 
to ensure their registration, comprehensive measures on non-
discrimination, ensure compliance with international standards on forced 
evictions and access to guaranteed socio-economic rights and dedicate 
additional financial assistance to implement the current and future Roma 
strategy in particular regarding education and health measures". 

- The 2015 General Action Plan on the implementation of Chapter 23 
includes 53 measures specifically related to Roma, three general 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
measures which also concern Roma, and seven measures that cover 
IDPs, who are to a large extent Roma. 

- The 2016 Action Plan for the realisation of the rights of national 

minorities includes 10 Roma related measures. 

IPA funds allocated to Roma 
integration (2007-2015) 

EUR 70.17 million  

81 

 
 
 
 
 
Roma population 

Roma integration Strategy  
Roma integration Action Plan  

Government bodies responsible 
for Roma integration 
coordination 
Independent bodies involved in 
Roma integration 
Bodies involving NGO in 
preparing/ implementing Roma 
policies 

TURKEY 
COUNTRY DATA 
CoE 2012 "average" estimate 
Estimated % of population 
-The Strategy Paper on Roma People 2016-2021 
-The 1st phase Action Plan 2016-2018 of the Strategy Paper on Roma 
People 2016-2021 
- Office of the Prime Ministry – an advisor in charge of Roma 
- Ministry of Family and Social Policies, General Directorate of Family 

2,750,000 
3.78% 

and Community Services 

- 

- 

STATE OF PLAY: ROMA DATA IN PRIORITY AREAS 

Education  

Employment  

Health 
-  

Housing 

Roma Seminars  
Stabilisation and Association 
Agreement and monitoring 
bodies 

Negotiations Chapter 23 
Judiciary and Fundamental 
Rights 
Visa liberalisation dialogue 

IPA funds allocated to Roma 
integration (2007-2015) 

Attend pre-school education  

Placed in special schools 
Complete primary education  
Complete secondary education 

Employed 
Employment in informal sector  
Unemployed 
 Access to health insurance 
Infant mortality 
Life expectancy 

No drinking water at home 
No electricity  
Holding property documents 
Segregated housing 

- 

- 

- 

- 

EU DIALOGUE ON ROMA INTEGRATION 

- 
EU-Turkey Subcommittee on Social Policy, Employment and Regional 
Development 

-  
-  2007 Screening report: Roma issues are covered  
- Negotiations on chapter 23 have not been opened 

- Roadmap towards a visa-free regime with Turkey: Turkey should fulfil 
the following requirement under Citizens’ rights and respect for and 
protection of minorities: "Develop and implement policies addressing 
effectively the condition of the Roma social exclusion, marginalisation 
and discrimination in access to education and health services, as well as 
its difficulty to access to identity cards, housing, employment and 
participation in public life". 

-  
- The first Report on progress by Turkey in fulfilling the requirements of 
its visa liberalisation roadmap of 20 October 2014: "Turkey will also 
need to adopt and implement a comprehensive strategy and action plan 
to improve the situation for people with Roma heritage living in Turkey 
and will need to adopt legislation to prevent discrimination and facilitate 
social inclusion." 
EUR 18.45 million 

82