Evaluation of ESF Support for Roma integration Dominique

Evaluation of ESF Support for Roma integration Dominique Bé EURoma, 10 November 2011, Budapest

Methodology § part of wider evaluation of ESF Support for inclusion of migrants & ethnic minorities § ESF 2000 -2006 & 2007 -2013 § ESF EQUAL 2000 -2006 § mainly based on interviews (because lack of data)

Aims § labour market integration & social inclusion of Roma § assess ESF contribution § identify most effective means of tackling barriers § provide guidelines to implement 2007 -13 ESF § make recommendations for 2014 -20 ESF

Overall evaluation § increased focus of ESF to promoting Roma labour market integration in 2007 -2013 compared with 2000 -2006 § OP strategies § increased financial allocation § increased ESF allocation to Roma specific actions § but n° EU countries supporting Roma specific measures has not increased because “explicit but not exclusive” targeting approach § ESF multiannual programming long-term approach § EQUAL more integrated approach

Overall evaluation § lack of reliable data on § ESF spending for Roma integration § Roma participation in ESF measures § impact of ESF measures lack of culture of monitoring & evaluation in ESF § no reduction of unemployment among Roma § persistent 40 -90% unemployment rate § multi-dimensional barriers to labour market participation of Roma closing the gap could take 10 -20 years

Evaluation Achievements for individuals § because of distance from labour market § limited “hard” outcomes § but “soft” outcomes: basic employability skills, self confidence, interpersonal skills, etc. § need for § job placements § but challenge of transition to “real” jobs § self-employment schemes § but lack of ESF microfinance § vocational training (construction, care, etc. ) § languages skills for migrating Roma

Evaluation Achievements for systems & structures § move towards: § personalised employment pathways rather than one-off measures § integrated approaches § employment + education + health + housing § targeting job-seekers but also families § closer cooperation with Roma NGOs § desegregation of schools § growing awareness about Roma discrimination § but sustainability of projects when ESF funding stops ?

Recommendations to Member States Policies § 10 Common Basic Principles for Roma Integration § “mainstreaming” & “explicit but not exclusive” targeting § “integrated approach” § education, employment, housing, health & access to quality public services § data collection about Roma labour market & social situation § better coordination between ESF & § national strategies, programmes & initiatives on Roma integration § other EU funds

Recommendations to Member States ESF implementation § better vertical & horizontal coordination of ESF management structures § more micro-project grant schemes for small Roma NGOs § to develop & strengthen their capacity § better involvement of Roma NGOs during whole ESF programme lifecycle § participation in Monitoring Committees § additional capacity-building support § better coordination between national authorities & local municipalities & NGOs § better understanding of realities on the ground

Recommendations to Member States Thematic interventions § inclusion of Roma children in mainstream schools § but sustainability of projects after ESF funding stops ? § early targeting of Roma children & youths § e. g. preparatory classes in the national language & afterhours school support § closer cooperation with enterprises in vocational training & employability domains § long-term approach when targeting Roma women, including their children § adult education § spatial & territorial factors: no one-approach fits all situations

More info § http: //tinyurl. com/esf-roma