EURoma Network, coordinated by FSG, addresses the employment and training of Roma at its latest meeting [editar]
The meeting was linked to the presentation of the evaluation of the impact of the 20 years of the Acceder programme on employment for the Roma population in Spain.
Representatives of EURoma partner organisations (public authorities responsible for policies targeting Roma -notably the National Roma Contact Points- and those in charge of ESF/ESF+ and ERDF), and of the European Commission as well as other experts in the field gathered to address the situation as regards the employment and training of Roma and the role that European Cohesion Policy Funds could have to address it. As a contribution to this reflection, the meeting was linked to the presentation of the evaluation of the impact of the 20 years of the Acceder programme on employment for the Roma population in Spain, as a case study on the use, over more than 20 years, of ESF funds to promote the employment of the Roma population in Spain.
The European network EURoma (European Network on Roma equality under EU Funds), coordinated by the FSG as Technical Secretariat, held its latest meeting on 6-7 June in Brussels. The meeting gathered representatives of the public authorities in charge of European Cohesion Policy Funds (notably ESF/ESF+ and ERDF) and of the public bodies responsible for Roma policies (notably the National Roma Contact Points) of 14 Member States, including representatives of the 15 countries involved in the Network as well as other new ones.
Likewise, as it is usually the case, representatives of the European Commission Directorate-Generals and departments with competences as regards Roma equality and inclusion, the European Cohesion Policy Funds (notably ESF+ and ERDF) as well as other fields addressed in the meeting took part (as participants and speakers). The meeting also counted with the participation of representatives of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP).
This meeting paid particular attention to the field of employment and training of Roma, a key area with many remaining challenges that ESF+ and ERDF could contribute to tackle. In addition to exchanging on the use of ESF+ and ERDF (already happening or planned) in this field in the partner countries, participants had the opportunity to reflect on the exiting challenges and opportunities in the current context, as well as on what are, based on experience, crucial elements and approaches for the success of interventions related to employment and training.
As a contribution to this reflection, EURoma meeting was linked to the presentation of the impact evaluation of the 20 years of the Acceder programme, as a practical example of the use of ESF for promoting the employment of Roma in Spain.
In addition, the meeting covered the latest developments at political and financial level as regards Roma equality, inclusion and fight against discrimination and the European Funds (ESF/ESF+ ERDF as well as other funds such as the Recovery and Resilience Funds), with particular attention to the links between the policies and the funds.