EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Marginalised Roma Communities in

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Marginalised Roma Communities in Slovakia 6 October 2010 Sean Mc. Grade DG Regional Policy 1

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy EU Dimension • Roma are largest minority in EU (10 -12 M) • Suffered years of deprivation and prejudice • The European institutions and Member States have a joint responsibility to improve the social inclusion of Roma by using all the instruments and policies for which they have the respective competence. 2

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy EU Dimension (2) • The European Union has a strong legal framework to combat Roma discrimination, based among others, on: – – article 13 of the Treaty of the European Community, Article 16 General Regulation Directive 2000/43/EC on racial equality and Directive 2000/78/EC prohibiting discrimination in employment and vocational training. • Member States have the duty to translate these Directives into their own national legislations 3

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Article 16 General Regulation • “……. . The Member States and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the various stages of implementation of the Funds and, in particular, in the access to them. ” • Marginalised Roma are a horizontal priority in all Slovak operational Programmes 4

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Platform for Roma Inclusion • Emerged at the 1 st European Roma Summit in Brussels in September 2008. Following this event, EU countries called on the Commission to organise – an exchange of good practice and experience between the Member States in the sphere of inclusion of the Roma, – provide analytical support and stimulate cooperation between all parties concerned by Roma issues, including the organisations representing Roma, in the context of an integrated European Platform". (General Affairs Council, 8 th December 2008). • Meetings are chaired by the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council. They bring together national governments, the EU, international organisations and Roma civil society representatives. 5

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy EURoma • Secretariat based in Spain • A European Network made up of representatives of twelve Member States, determined to promote the use of Structural Funds (SF) to enhance the effectiveness of policies targeting the Roma and to promote their social inclusion. • Current Member States: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia and Sweden. 6

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Common Basic Principles The 10 Common Basic Principles on Roma inclusion aim at guiding the EU institutions and Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries when they design and implement new policies or activities. 1. Constructive, pragmatic and non-discriminatory policies 2. Explicit but not exclusive targeting 3. Inter-cultural approach 4. Aiming for the mainstream 5. Awareness of the gender dimension 6. Transfer of evidence-based policies 7. Use of Community instruments 8. Involvement of regional and local authorities 9. Involvement of civil society 10. Active participation of the Roma 7

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Violence and Trafficking • The EU is committed to combating all forms of violence and human trafficking. Women are often the main victims of gender-based violence while trafficking is modern-day slavery to which poverty-stricken women and children, in particular girls, are more vulnerable. • Violence and trafficking are breaches of fundamental rights and poverty-stricken Roma women are in particular vulnerable to these forms of exploitation. • Through the DAPHNE programme, the EU has financed targeted actions to fight violence against women and children and to protect victims and groups at risk. 8

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Housing for Marginalised Communities Revision of Article 7 of ERDF Regualtion – New housing as well as refurbishment – Rural areas now included – Integrated development/activities – Non-segregated development • Open Days Event 7 October 2010 – HU case Study 9

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 7 April, 2010 The Social and Economic Integration of the Roma in Europe • Making the Roma Platform more effective • Applying the Common Basic Principles for Roma Inclusion • Mainstreaming of Roma issues in all relevant policies • Continue organising high-level bilateral events in the Member States 10

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy continued… • Urging Member States to take actions to promote equal opportunities and to tackle segregation (policies which strenghten segregation should be ended) • Reinforcing coordination between the ERDF, ESF and EAFRD on regional and local level • Providing information and technical support to Member States on the efficeinet use of Structural Funds • Inviting Member States to address Roma issues when reporting on the implementation of national policies (education, employment, social protection, health) 11

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Roma Pilot Project • Objective - Pilot Project ‘Pan-European coordination of Roma integration methods – Improving the access of Roma children to quality early childhood education, and enhancing child development for Roma children aged 0 -6; – Facilitating self-employment through access to finance for marginalised communities; – Combating discrimination against Roma people by raising public awareness through appropriate information campaigns; – Improving evaluation methods and data collection of Roma integration projects/programmes. 12

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy continued…. . • 4 strands – – Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Self-employment and microcredit Information and awareness raising Tools and methods for evaluation and data collection as a basis for evidence based policy making • Open call for tenders in 2009 • Evaluation has been finalised – winners are published on DG Regio website 13

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Combating Poverty • Opportunities at home can prevent need to travel – right to move within EU is protected • Less chance of being a victim of oppression or trafficking if you have real choices • Break the cycle of disadvantage and missed opportunity • Multi-dimensional approach needed • Will not change overnight but need to take steps now. • EU 2020 - Anti-poverty Flagship Initiative 14

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Recent Concerns • The cases of Italy and France have recently highlighted these issues • Commission is very concerned at some actions taken • The Commission is concerned too about how funds are spent – Task Force • No shortage of funds – effective use? 15

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Comprehensive Approach in Slovakia • NSRF – EUR 200 000 • Focus on health, housing, education, employment (ERDF, ESF) • Office of the Plenipotentiary for Marginalised Roma Communities 16

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Challenges • • • Definition of Population Capacity of marginalised groups Capacity of Office of Plenipotentiary Lack of successful models of intervention Micro-regional strategies – individual calls Political support 17

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy 18

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Current Status • 150+ micro-regional strategies approved as being suitable for funding • Projects to be submitted against individual calls • Challenges: – Good project proposals – Delivery of projects on ground – Make a difference to people • National Strategy for future 19

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Regional Policy Thank you for your attention. 20