EU High-Level Conference: EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Roma until 2030
by Abriel SCHIEFFELERS
The new Roma strategic framework
The German Presidency of the EU hosted a conference about the new EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation on October 12th. The framework comes at a crucial time when Roma have been scapegoated as health risks during the COVID pandemic and have suffered disproportionately as a result of lockdown measures and the economic downturn. Replacing the old framework, which was seen by many as ineffective, the new framework prioritises tackling antigypsyism, better use of funds, higher intensity efforts, and better stakeholder involvement.
The framework will be in place from 2020-2030. The Commission has proposed minimum targets for 2030, building on progress made under the previous framework. These include:
- Cutting the proportion of Roma with experience of discrimination by at least half;
- Doubling the proportion of Roma filing a report when experiencing discrimination;
- Reducing the poverty gap between Roma and general population by at least half;
- Cutting the gap in participation in early childhood education by at least half;
- Cutting the proportion of Roma children who attend segregated primary schools by at least half in Member States with a significant Roma population;
- Cutting the employment gap and the gender employment gap by at least half;
- Cutting the gap in life expectancy by at least half;
- Reducing the gap in housing deprivation by at least one third;
- Ensuring that at least 95% of Roma have access to tap water.
The Commission is calling on Member States to submit national strategies by September 2021 and report on their implementation every two years. The Commission will monitor progress towards the 2030 targets, drawing on input from surveys carried out by the European Fundamental Rights Agency as well as input from civil society. An in-depth mid-term evaluation of the new 10-year plan in its entirety is also scheduled.
Event highlights and key takeaways
The four panel discussions included topics on fighting and preventing antigypsyism and discrimination, promoting participation by empowerment and trust in the EU and beyond, monitoring and reporting to enable policy learning, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Roma.
Panels of stakeholders, including NGO representatives, members of parliament, and regional authorities, spoke to the need for political will on all levels in order to prevent a repeat of the failure of the previous framework. In order to do this, Member of Parliament Mr. Romeo Franz urged that the measures must be binding for member states.
Also highlighted was the need for better monitoring, best accomplished y grassroots organisations with the deep knowledge of what is needed to enact real change, to ensure evidence-based policy and to ensure that funds are used for the correct purposes.
Many speakers also highlighted the need of mainstreaming Roma into all policy areas, including, for example, gender and migration policies.
The participation of Roma, particularly Roma youth and grassroots organisations, in developing and implementing the framework was emphasized as crucial to the success of the framework.
ERGO network shared the results of their research into how Roma have dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing that respondents were deeply affected in regard to housing, education, discrimination, and access to healthcare. Alarming reports of unfair lockdowns of Roma communities also occurred, leading to Roma communities faced with starvation and a lack of economic opportunities to provide for themselves.
The Salvation Army’s role in the development of the framework and recommendations
The Salvation Army applauds the efforts of all stakeholders in the creation of the new framework and supports the focus on combating antigypsyism and discrimination. The European Affairs Office was fortunate to have been involved in pushing for the prioritization of antigypsyism and have helped to develop the monitoring indicators. While the targets are a good starting point, The Salvation Army believes that the EU must aim higher and work harder in order to ensure that all Roma are able to access their human rights, particularly in the field of education.
However, there is plenty of work to still be done. As some panelists pointed out, the need for binding policies is clear in order to ensure accountability and political will to change the situation for all Roma throughout Europe. The Salvation Army will continue to advocate for these changes and for effective implementation of the framework in member states. The European Affairs Office encourages The Salvation Army in Europe to similarly advocate on a national level for the full implementation of the framework, good use of funds, and involvement of Roma and grassroots organisations in the implementation and monitoring of the framework. In the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, The Salvation Army also has an important role to play in ensuring that Roma are not left behind in receiving assistance and will continue to advocate for the unique challenges and discrimination facing the Roma community.
The EU press release on the framework can be found here:
Tags: Europe