Promoting the usa of ESI Funds for Roma inclusion

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Using different funds to promote Roma inclusion
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4.2. Funds used
Î Î Similarly to the 2007-2013 programming period, it appears that Roma inclusion is
considered to a larger extent in ESF OPs than in ERDF OPs (single-fund).
Î Î However , it seems that there is an increased awareness about the importance of using
ESI Funds other than ESF, notably ERDF, for Roma inclusion . In this regard, only a
limited number of countries (Austria, Belgium, Portugal and Sweden) opt for using
only ESF (sometimes in combination with other funds such as the Youth Employment
Initiative); the rest foresee the use of both ESF and ERDF. In some cases ERDF is
foreseen in single-fund OPs; in others in multi-fund OPs (mainly covering ESF and
ERDF interventions).
Î Î Several of the ERDF single-fund OPs pay particular attention to Roma inclusion –
notably in those of countries that already had similar programmes in the 2007-2013
programming period. As it will be further developed later on, in some cases, these
OPs intervene in complementarity with ESF OPs relevant for Roma inclusion.
The Bulgarian Regions in Growth OP seeks to improve the living conditions of marginalised
groups, including Roma, which will benefit from interventions related to housing conditions,
health and social infrastructure, sport and cultural facilities and the modernisation of
educational infrastructure.
The Croatian Competitiveness and Cohesion OP foresees measures to improve the socio-
economic and living conditions in five pilot small towns selected based on a number of
objective criteria, one of them Roma minority issues. In addition, these pilots will serve to
design and test a new model to regenerate concentrated deprived socio-economic areas.
A significant number of the investments within the Czech Integrated Regional OP target
socially excluded localities (mainly inhabited by Roma), which are identified on the basis of
the ‘Analysis of socially excluded localities in the Czech Republic’5 elaborated by the Ministry
of Labour and Social Affairs.
Roma are also one of the target groups of the Romanian Regional OP and may benefit from
investments envisaged in the areas of health, social and educational infrastructure as well
as to support economic and social regeneration of deprived urban communities (using tools
such as the Community-led local development initiatives).
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