Background

In 2011 EU leaders signed up to the EU Framework for national Roma integration strategies. With this Framework for the first time ever a solid process for coordinating action on Roma integration was put in place. Two years later, the national Ministers unanimously adopted the first legal instrument for Roma inclusion at EU-level: Council recommendation on effective Roma integration (dec 2013) . The Member States committed to implementing a set of recommendations from the Commission aiming to reduce social inequalities between Roma and the rest of the population within four areas: education, employment, healthcare and housing.

European Roma Summit

The aim of the summit was to take stock of how the national Roma strategies submitted by Member States on an annual basis as a result of the EU Framework are being implemented and if they are improving the life of Roma communities. Around 500 representatives of EU institutions, national governments and parliaments, international organisations, civil society (including Roma organisations) and local and regional authorities expressed their views on what has been achieved so far and how to further improve Roma integration in the future. More information on the agenda, topics and participants of the Roma Summit can be found here.

Report on the implementation of the EU framework for national Roma integration strategies

Simultaneously with the summit a report on the implementation of the EU framework for national Roma integration strategies was published. This report measures for the first time progress made in the four key areas of education, employment, healthcare and housing, as well as in the fight against discrimination and the use of funding. It also assesses the progress made at EU level.

You can read it in attachment or by clicking here.