European Commission1

An EU Framework for National Roma An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies by 2020Integration Strategies by 2020

COM(2011) 173 –April 2011

European Commission2

Latest Developments

● 7 September 2010: Roma Task Force set up by the Commission to analyse the use and effectiveness of national and EU funds by all Member States for Roma inclusion

● 21 December 2010: Roma Task Force findings – Member States do not yet properly use EU money for the effective social and economic integration of Roma

● 5 April 2011: Communication on an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies by 2020

● 7-8 April 2011: Meeting of the European Platform for Roma inclusion, Budapest

European Commission3

Forthcoming developments (HU Presidency)

● 12 April 2011: JAI Council

● 20 May 2011: Education Council

● 23 May 2011: General Affairs Council

● 19 May 2011: EPSCO Council

● 24 June 2011: European Council

European Commission4

Why a new Communication?● The EU has repeatedly stressed the need for better integration of Roma.

● The 2010 Communication and staff working document:

- Took stock of progress made at EU and national levels– Identified actions to be taken at EU-level.– Urged Member States to better use structural funds to promote equality and tackle segregation.

● Despite this, according to the Roma Task Force, strong and appropriate measures are still not in place in the MS.

● It is crucial to step up a gear: ensure that national, regional and local integration policies focus on Roma in a clear and specific way.

European Commission5

The EU Framework : 1) National Strategies● All Member States - in proportion to the size of the Roma population living in their territories and taking into account their different starting

points – should adopt /develop further a comprehensive approach to Roma integration

● Deadline for presenting the strategies: end of 2011.

● Recommended approaches: - Set national goals for Roma integration

- Identify where relevant disadvantaged micro-regions

- Identify and allocate funding to this policy

- Include internal strong monitoring

- Include continuous dialogue and cooperation with Roma civil society

- Appoint a national Roma contact point

European Commission6

The EU Framework : 2) four goals

● Education: ensure that all Roma children complete at least primary school

● Employment: cut the employment gap between Roma and the rest of the population

Achievement of these goals is important to help Member States reach the overall targets of the Europe 2020 strategy .

● Housing/access to services: close the gap between the share of Roma with access to housing and to public utilities (e.g. water, electricity and gas) and that of the rest of the population

● Health: reduce the gap in health status between the Roma and the rest of the population

European Commission7

The EU Framework : 3) more effective use of EU funds

● The Roma Task Force identified bottlenecks at national, regional and local level (e.g. lack of administrative capacity to absorb EU funds)

● To overcome these weaknesses, under the current programming period:

- MS are invited to amend their Operational Programmes co-financed by the structural funds /EAFRD to better support Roma targeted projects

- MS are invited to use the expertise of regional, national and international organisations in preparing, implementing and monitoring Roma targeted intervention (e.g. via EU technical assistance)

● Beyond 2013, the Commission will strive to address barriers to an effective use of EU funds for Roma integration when preparing its proposal for the future cohesion policy regulatory framework

European Commission8

The EU Framework : 4) monitoring

To make sure that the EU Framework makes a tangible difference the Commission wants to put a robust monitoring mechanism with clear benchmarks:

● The Commission will report annually to EP and Council on progress made in the MS.

● The FRA will collect data on the social and economic situation of Roma, in cooperation with other organisations.

● National reform programmes and peer reviews will be additional sources of information.

● The Commission will take into account ongoing work within the OMC in the field of social policies.

● In parallel, MS should foresee internal self-monitoring together with stakeholders.

European Commission9

The EU Framework : 5) other issues

● The Commission will support enlargement countries (mobilisation of IPA, support to Roma civil society, etc.)

● The European Platform for Roma Inclusion will be strengthened (stronger role of Commission, continuity, linking the work of Platform with the four priority areas, etc.)