Fundación Secretariado Gitano welcomes Romanian delegation to share the experience of the Acceder employment programme [editar]

Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG) welcomed a Romanian delegation to its headquarters in Madrid as part of a European Commission-supported exchange programme aimed at promoting the socio-economic inclusion of Roma communities through employment pathways of the Acceder Programme.

Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG) welcomed a Romanian delegation to its headquarters in Madrid as part of a European Commission-supported exchange programme aimed at promoting the socio-economic inclusion of Roma communities through employment pathways of the Acceder Programme.

The visit took place within the framework of the TAIEX Technical Support Instrument (TSI), coordinated by the European Commission’s Reform and Investment Taskforce (SG REFORM), under the project “Bridge2Opportunity – Integrated pathways for the inclusion of Romanian Roma citizens in the labour market – adapting the Spanish Acceder model”. TAIEX TSI PACE events are organised by DG ENEST in agreement with SG REFORM for the benefit of Member States that are receiving technical support through the TSI.

Representatives from the Romanian Ministry of Investments and European together with Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda visited FSG to learn first-hand about the methodology, impact and evolution of the Acceder programme, one of the organisation’s flagship employment initiatives for Roma inclusion.

During the meeting, FSG staff presented the history of Acceder and its development over more than 25 years of implementation. Since its launch in 2000, the programme has become a benchmark in labour inclusion policies for Roma in Spain and Europe.

The delegation showed particular interest in the programme’s collaboration with companies and its job intermediation work, recognising the importance of building strong partnerships with the private sector in order to generate real employment opportunities and foster inclusive labour markets. The exchange also focused on the role of vocational training and skills development within Acceder, especially in relation to labour market-oriented skills adapted to current employment needs.

Throughout the visit, participants exchanged experiences and reflections on the challenges that Roma communities continue to face regarding access to employment, discrimination and social exclusion. The Romanian delegation positively valued the long-standing experience and tangible impact of the Acceder programme, as well as its potential to inspire similar initiatives in other European countries.

From FSG we welcome this opportunity to contribute to this European exchange of best practices and reaffirm the importance of strengthening cooperation between institutions, civil society organisations and European partners to promote equal opportunities and labour market inclusion for the Roma population across Europe.