8 / 113
8
Within this framework, EURoma started its work to achieve, through mutual learning,
knowledge generation and awareness-raising among relevant stakeholders, an increased
and more effective use of Structural Funds (notably ESF but also other funds) for Roma
inclusion.
Over these eight years, the Network has become a fundamental actor at European level
as regards the inclusion of Roma population and Structural Funds. It has developed a
wide range of actions to achieve this goal and contributed to the implementation of the
2007-2013 programming period and to the advances in the 2014-2020 period, including
the incorporation of an explicit investment priority on Roma under ESF (IP 9.2. ‘Socio-
economic integration of marginalised communities such as the Roma’). Today, the Roma
population is more present in Operational Programmes than in previous programming
periods: Roma are targeted largely and in a broad number of OPs and there has been a
convergence in terms of approaches and methodologies to make a more efficient use of
the funds.
As part of its activities, EURoma has produced a number of documents focusing on
improving the use of Structural Funds for Roma, being this specific publication the final
one of the programming period 2007-2013. This report first provides a glance at EURoma´s
trajectory, main products and overall added value and impact during its life these years. It
then presents an overview on how Structural funds have been planned through Operational
Programmes for the 2014-2020 programming period in 14 participant Member States
1
,
focusing on the scope, the funds and approaches planned, the thematic objectives and
investment priorities selected as well as the areas of intervention and the application of
the partnership principle.
The report also aims to reflect the advancement as regards the consideration of Roma
issues within the framework of Structural Funds. Overall, it pretends to provide a general
picture of how Roma inclusion is incorporated in the programming documents of the
2014-2020 European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds programming period,
identifying the most relevant trends as well as the key challenges for the implementation
phase that has already started in Member States.
This initial analysis will serve for the future work of EURoma Network as well as for other
stakeholders involved in promoting a better use of ESI Funds for Roma inclusion in the
current programming period.
1. All participant Member States but Finland.