EURoma European Network meets in Romania to discuss use of ESF+ and ERDF to promote Roma equality and inclusion [editar]

The EURoma Network (European Network for Roma Equality through European Funds) held its last meeting on 11-12 June in Bucharest. The meeting was attended by partner authorities of the Network (in particular National Contact Points and public authorities in charge of ESF+ and ERDF) from 12 EU Member States, as well as representatives of the European Commission and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). As usual, representatives of Romanian authorities and organisations, as the host country, also participated in the meeting, especially on the second day, which focused on the situation in the country.

The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Employment and Skills, Roxana Mînzatu (through video message), together with the representatives of the Romanian authorities and the Technical Secretariat of the Network (Fundación Secretariado Gitano), opened the meeting and welcomed the participants. Ms. Mînzatu emphasised the importance of EU financial instruments to contribute to the ongoing efforts in the EU to achieve tangible and lasting changes in the situation of Roma people, following the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.

Participants discussed different policy and legislative developments relevant to Roma, such as the review of the implementation of the National Roma Inclusion Strategies, the Child Guarantee, as well as the strategies being prepared on anti-racism, poverty and housing.

They also discussed the use of ESF+ and ERDF for Roma equality and inclusion in the current programming period as well as how to ensure that European funds continue to play their current role for vulnerable groups such as Roma in the next programming period.

Finally, they had the opportunity to learn more about the context of Romania, the host country. Representatives from different organisations in the country presented the policy framework (including the governance structure) in which the promotion of Roma equality and inclusion is framed, as well as the different financial instruments available to contribute to the objectives of the strategy, namely ESF+ and ERDF (used both at national and regional level), as well as other funds such as the Norwegian Funds. Specific initiatives funded by ESF+ or ERDF and other funds were then presented.

The EURoma Management Committee meetings, which bring together the Network partners twice a year, are one of the key instruments of the Network for the analysis and discussion of key developments linked to the policy framework and financial instruments (in particular ESF+ and ERDF) to promote Roma equality and inclusion as well as for exchange and mutual learning among the Network partners. For more information, see EURoma Network website.

EURoma meetings are supported by the European Centre of Competence for Social Innovation.