Roma ObservatoryRoma ObservatoryAn Initiative of Impreuna AgencyAn Initiative of Impreuna Agency

-supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs--supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs-

The Roma of Romania From Scapegoat to Engine of Development

Methodology

• Two national samples (Roma and a non-Roma), 2000 households (1000 Roma/1000 nonroma)

• Roma: self and hetero-identification• Error margin: +/-3% • Trust rate: minim 95%• Interviews: face-to-face

What is the situation of your child aged 3-6?

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Why has your child dropped out of kindergarten?

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What is the situation of your child aged 6-16?

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Why has your child dropped out of school?

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Why was your child never registered at school?

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How well can your child read?

How well can your child read?

How likely do you think it is that your child will go to high school?

How likely do you think it is that your child will go to university?

What is the highest level of education you reached?

How well can you read?

Investing in Roma is smart economic!

Roma inclusion is a macroeconomic necessity. About 17 percent of the general population in Romania is 65 and years or older: by 2040, this is estimated to rise to 28 percent8. The working-age populations is projected to fall by 30% by 2050

Roma currently do not have the opportunities to improve their own welfare and gain access to the labor market, despite clear and actionable policy entry points. Simple descriptive indicators on Roma’s desire to work suggest that the latter is very similar to the same desire among non-Roma neighbors.

Promoting Roma inclusion in Romania should be based on concerted efforts following a dual-purpose approach comprising (i) targeted sectoral policies; and (ii) improved service delivery. The report demonstrates that targeted policies and programs across education, health, housing, employment and social protection can contribute to progress on socio-economic outcomes among the Romanian Roma

TARGETING SECTORAL POLICIES

Synergies between education and employment policies can help addressing the intergenerational skills challenge. Facilitating education and improving skills is critical for improving the labor market outlook for the next generation as well as for the current Roma work force.

Addressing the health challenges of the Roma requires cross-cutting efforts. Improving the dire health outcomes among the Romanian Roma requires policy measures on a number of fronts, including initiatives in other sectors such as education and housing, and need to be complemented by broader reforms in the healthcare system.

Social protection’s limited effect on reducing poverty among the Romanian Roma needs to be addressed. While 95 percent of the Roma in the poorest quintile receive at least one social protection transfer, 75 percent of the Roma remain below the poverty line, raising questions about the effectiveness of means-tested safety net programs in Romania.

Interventions in the housing sector need to take account of the heterogeneity of housing conditions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and housing assistance needs to be expanded beyond ‘social housing’.

THANK YOU!

Impreuna Agency for Community Development,124, Mihai Eminescu, 2nd District Bucharest

+40.21.210.05.39

gelu.duminica@agentiaimpreuna.rooffice@agentiaimpreuna.rowww.agentiaimpreuna.ro