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The way forward
The
ESI Funds Regulations for the 2014-2020 programming period open
up a wide range of possibilities for promoting the social inclusion and
non-discrimination of Roma
across the European Union. Elements such as the specific
European Social Fund (ESF) Investment Priority ‘Socio-economic integration of
marginalised communities such as the Roma’ (IP 9.2.), the ex-ante conditionalities
(e.g. a national Roma inclusion strategic policy framework in place…) and the stronger
linkages with the political priorities identified in the country-specific recommendations
are new instruments that, if properly used, could contribute to achieve substantial
progress in the use of ESI Funds for Roma inclusion.
The findings of the analysis carried out by the EURoma Network show
a positive picture
as regards the consideration of Roma inclusion in the Operational Programmes adopted
for the 2014-2020 programming period.
Roma are considered in a broad number of
OPs, going beyond the use of the ESF and in particular the specific Investment Priority
9.2. In addition, progress is observed as regards the plans to use some of the tools
included in the new Regulations to advance Roma inclusion, such as the combination
of funds.
Now it remains to be seen how this positive framework and the different options
selected by countries in terms of scope
(national or regional OPs),
funds
(European
Social Fund, European Regional Development Fund or others),
thematic objectives
and investment priorities
(9.2. or others),
approaches
(explicit mention, no mention
and territorial approaches),
hierarchical importance given to actions targeting Roma
(at the level of priority axes, specific objectives or actions)
and fields of intervention
are translated into practice.
The main goal should be to ensure that the interventions
planned in the programming documents are actually and effectively implemented and
that they contribute to improving the socio-economic situation, equal opportunities and
fight against discrimination of Roma people.