EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020 SYNERGIES WITH THE DECADE

Toward EU Framework Long and bumpy road

Steps along the road (Decade initiative ) EU Roma Summits – 2008 and 2010 European Platform for Roma Inclusion - established in th meeting is scheduled for November 2011 EU Working papers on the situation of Roma 10 Common Basic Principles for Roma Inclusion – guidance for member states on designing and implementing Roma policies Modified funding regulations BUT THE RESPONSIBILITY IS FULLY ON MEMBER STATES

Dramatic events = Change in attitude Expulsion of Roma from France and Italy Strong statements by EU officials Establishment of internal Roma Task Force Launch of an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020 on April RECOGNITION THAT THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE SITUATION OF THE ROMA POLULATION IS A JOINT RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EU AND THE MEMBER STATES

EU Framework Calls for targeted approach Calls for more effective use of EU funds Calls for robust monitoring Focuses on four critical areas: education, employment, healthcare and housing Requests to prepare or revise national Roma integration strategies based on clear guidelines and present to European Commission by the end of December 2011 € 26.5 billion of EU funding is programmed to support social inclusion

EU Framework Requests close cooperation and continuous dialogue with Roma civil society, regional and local authorities Requests appointment of national contact point Commissions regional Roma household survey to access data (UNDP, WB, FRA, OSF) Reports annually to the European Parliament and to the Council on progress and achieved goals Applies to all the member states

EU Framework relevance for enlargement countries CALLS ENLARGEMENT COUNTRIES TO REVIEW THEIR STRATEGIES AND/OR DECADE NATIONAL ACTION PLANS ALONG THE SAME PRINCIPLES – COMMISSION IS COMMITTED TO HELP UNDER PRE-ACCESSION ASSISTANCE

Concerns raised by NGOs No formal consultation with civil society during the development of the Framework The issue of discrimination, racist violence and human rights is fully missing from the Framework document Cross cutting critical issues as gender equality and youth empowerment as well as child poverty are not addressed by the Framework Sanctions are not considered

Decade and the EU Framework EU Framework is under the responsibility of DG Justice Ongoing three-party discussions – Decade Presidency, Decade Secretariat, DG Justice All the Decade countries are invited to the meeting of the European Platform for Roma Inclusion Decade and OSF joint conference in the European Parliament on November to highlight best practices from the Decade of Roma Inclusion and to explore the mutually reinforcing work of the Decade and the EU Roma Platform Expansion of the capacity of the Decade Secretariat

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION ! Tunde Buzetzky Decade of Roma Inclusion Secretariat Foundation