Conference Report: Social Economy and Roma Inclusion in times of COVID
Last Updated: 17 November 2020
by Abriel SCHIEFFELERS
The Salvation Army European Affairs Office attended a conference hosted by Social Economy Europe, ERGO, and the European Parliament Social Economy Intergroup on November 17th, 2020. The theme of the conference was Social Economy and Roma Inclusion in Times of COVID. The intersection of these topics is particularly relevant for The Salvation Army’s work with Roma in the aftermath of the COVID crisis.
ERGOs Position Paper
ERGO presented on their new position paper on social economy fostering Roma inclusion in the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery process. Their key messages targeted what is needed to accomplish the goal of implementing social economy initiatives in Roma communities:
1.Legislative framework prioritizing social goals over financial gain and promoting sustainability
2.Meaningful partnerships supporting Roma participation and ownership
3.The Roma named explicitly as target group for social economy interventions
4.Fostering Roma social entrepreneurship through awareness and training
5.Access to stable, dedicated, transparent funding
6.An economy based on solidarity that works for all, including for Roma
The full paper can be found here.
Input from Policymakers and Civil Society
Speakers from the European Commission spoke about the potential of social economy to solve societal challenges and help in the transition to a green economy and the use of new technologies. While there is great potential, there are also barriers to achieving this, including adequate funding, buy-in from member states, and a need for Roma participation and effective partnerships at all levels.
Social economy is unique because, as a speaker from Social Economy Europe shared, it “sees profit as a means to achieve a greater social goal.” MEP Romeo Franz noted that the new action plan on social economy can play a great role in benefiting Roma, but only if they are seen as equal partners in recovery from the economic downturn caused by COVID. There is a great need for member states to mobilise funding and to take seriously the new Roma framework.
Best Practice
Two speakers from the Galway Traveller Movement shared a best practice example from Ireland where two social economy businesses were started that focus on insulating homes and mattress recycling respectively. These businesses not only meet a need in their society, but have a profound community impact, challenge racism and discrimination, and re-claim space that travellers have traditionally held as environmental waste managers and recyclers.
Another best practice example was shared from Romania where Roma craftsmen produce high-quality pieces of art and small household items.
Takeaways for The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is active in many areas of Roma inclusion, but there is opportunity for further involvement in the area of access to the labour market and employment through social economy initiatives. The Salvation Army working with Roma in EU member states has a valuable opportunity to advocate for social economy funding to be prioritised on a national level with specific funding committed for Roma communities.
The Salvation Army can learn from best practices from pre-existing projects and implement similar projects in communities that the Army are already working in. The active participation of these communities in design, implementation, and management of these initiatives is key for long-term success.
The European Affairs Office will continue to monitor the development of the Social Economy Action Plan and present practical avenues for The Salvation Army’s involvement in social economy initiatives.
For more information on funding for social economy initiatives, sharing best practice, and questions on how to advocate locally and nationally, please get in contact with the European Affairs Office or the Roma Mission Network.
Tags: Europe