Fundación Secretariado Gitano takes part in international consultations aimed at improving policies for the Roma community [editar]

Contributions have focused on particularly relevant areas such as cohesion, child poverty, housing, equal treatment, education and vocational training, young people and urban poverty

At Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG), we have recently taken part in several consultation processes on information and opinions organised by the European Commission and the United Nations. Through these contributions, we have put forward proposals based on our practical experience and the available data to ensure that future public policies take into account the specific situation of the Roma population.

The contributions have focused on particularly relevant areas such as cohesion, child poverty, housing, equal treatment, education and vocational training, young people, and urban poverty.

10th report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, including the report on the outcome of the mid-term review of cohesion policy programmes

In this consultation on the 10th report  we have focused on providing data on the initiatives currently being carried out in Spain under the ESF and aimed at vulnerable groups, specifically providing data on the impact in Spain of the initiatives implemented by FSG, Cáritas Española, Spanish Red Cross and ONCE Foundation within the framework of the ESF 2016–2023. Our aim is to demonstrate how the ESF has established itself as a strategic tool of European Cohesion Policy and has succeeded in translating the social cohesion objectives defined at European level into concrete, locally adapted interventions in Spain. The data submitted for the consultation can be found in the report produced by these four organisations: Impact assessment of the actions carried out by Cáritas Española, Cruz Roja Española, Fundación ONCE and Fundación Secretariado Gitano within the framework of the ESF 2016-2023.


Strengthening the European Child Guarantee

We have taken part in the European Commission’s consultation on strengthening the European Child Guarantee. Our submission calls for Roma children to continue to be explicitly recognised as a priority group and for specific measures aimed at tackling the structural inequalities affecting them to be strengthened.

We have also called for greater coordination between the National Action Plans under the European Child Guarantee and National Strategies for the Equality, Inclusion and Participation of the Roma population, a more strategic use of funds such as the European Social Fund+ and the European Regional Development Fund, and better monitoring mechanisms using specific indicators and disaggregated data.


Future Council Recommendation on combating housing exclusion

In the consultation on the future Council Recommendation on housing exclusion, FSG has called for the most extreme forms of housing vulnerability (such as slums, substandard housing and segregated settlements) to be given priority.

Our contribution proposes that two specific elements from the Council Conclusions of 9 October 2023, under the Spanish Presidency, on measures to ensure equal access for the Roma population to adequate and non-segregated housing, and to address the issue of segregated settlements, be incorporated: We call for the inclusion of a definition of a segregated settlement and for the creation of a European Action Plan for its eradication by 2030 to be driven forward, promoting comprehensive interventions that combine access to adequate housing with social support, education, employment and access to essential services. We have also emphasised the need to pay specific attention to Roma children living in these environments.

European study on equal treatment in access to housing

We have also contributed to the study commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers on equal treatment in housing within the European Union.

FSG has provided information on the various forms of discrimination affecting Roma people in the housing market, particularly refusals by landlords and estate agents to let a property upon learning of their ethnic origin, harassment by neighbours, administrative and digital barriers, and processes of residential segregation. Furthermore, we have shared data from our reports on discrimination and studies on housing, along with proposals to strengthen the effective enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation and improve access to decent and affordable housing.

European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training

In our contribution to the future European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training, we have highlighted the significant gaps that still affect the Roma population in terms of education, qualifications and access to employment.

Drawing on the experience gained over more than two decades through the Acceder programme, we have advocated for vocational training that is more flexible, modular and tailored to the needs of people with low qualifications or those who are distant from the labour market. We have also proposed improving the recognition of skills acquired through work experience and non-formal learning, strengthening the involvement of businesses and social organisations in training processes, and ensuring that vocational training is provided free of charge.

EU Youth Strategy post-2027

FSG has also taken part in the public consultation aimed at preparing the EU Youth Strategy post-2027.

Our contribution has highlighted the need to ensure that young people with fewer opportunities, including Roma youth, have equal access to education, employment, European mobility, social and political participation, and youth programmes. We have also highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of youth and civil society organisations, creating accessible and inclusive spaces for participation, and incorporating the youth perspective into all European policies that may affect them.

United Nations Call for Contributions on Poverty in Cities

Finally, FSG has responded to the call from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights for contributions on poverty in cities.

In our submission, we have explained how residential segregation, ethnic discrimination and territorial inequality limit many Romani families’ access to housing, education, employment, healthcare, transport and other basic services. We have advocated for human rights-based urban planning, accompanied by social impact assessments, disaggregated data and comprehensive policies that simultaneously tackle poverty, segregation and discrimination.

Through these contributions Fundación Secretariado Gitano continues to put forward concrete proposals to European and international institutions so that future policies effectively incorporate the reality of the Roma population and help to advance equality, social inclusion and the guarantee of rights.