Promoting the usa of ESI Funds for Roma inclusion

The way forward

Buildingupon the analysismade and the experience fromthe2007-2013programming

period,

the following aspects should be considered during the implementation phase

The effective implementation of the actions planned in the programming

documents, ensuring that they actually reach Roma.

Particular attention should

be paid to those actions that do not target Roma explicitly to avoid that they

are disregarded. The necessary guarantees should also be taken as regards the

‘explicit but not exclusive’ approaches, notably when there is a large number

of target groups, to prevent the risk that Roma become blurred among the

many other groups. To this end,

it is crucial to count on strong and continuous

monitoring processes.

The use of opportunities to promote Roma inclusion beyond those foreseen in the

programming documents.

There is still much scope to promote Roma inclusion

in the implementation phase even if the adopted programming documents do

not feature specific measures or do not explicitly mention Roma (e.g. mentioning

Roma as potential targets of the calls for proposals or in the priorities of the

projects, establishing indicators related to Roma as final beneficiaries…). This

could also apply to the consideration of the gender dimension in the programmes.

As far as the funds are concerned, ESF and ERDF but also other funding

sources and instruments -including the European Agricultural Fund for Rural

Development (EAFRD) and the European Territorial Cooperation programmes-

offer many opportunities.

The maximisation of the instruments available within the new Regulations for

a more efficient use of ESI Funds.

Among them the combined use of different

funds, whether within the same OP or between OPs with different funds, or

the integrated and multi-dimensional approaches, both in terms of fields of

interventions and funds. While these approaches are of particular relevance in

areas with relatively widespread geographical segregation and marginalisation,

or where Roma are overrepresented, it is important to go further and apply them

in all types of interventions targeting Roma, emphasising the links between the

different fields and funds.