Eurocities formulated a contribution from cities to influence the upcoming proposal of the European Commission for the future strategic framework for Roma inclusion post 2020.

Context

The current EU Roma Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies 2011-2020 is about to expire. The European Commission is expected to put forward a proposal for a renewed EU Roma Framework post-2020, most probably in autumn-winter 2019 after the EP elections and the new Commissioner takes office. The new EU Roma Framework is expected to start as of 2021 and cover the period until 2027 (matching the EU funding timeframe) or until 2030 (fitting the framework of the new EU strategic vision).

In the current period, the EU Roma Framework (adopted in 2011) failed to give a fair recognition to the role of cities and local authorities in Roma inclusion policies and practices. It also failed to cover in its scope the EU-mobile Roma migrating from Eastern cities to Western cities after EU enlargement. Moreover, it also failed to allocate EU funding to cities to build capacity on Roma inclusion.

However, in recent years, Eurocities work on Roma inclusion has become increasingly visible and recognised at EU level and the role of cities is now commonly addressed in the EU debates.

To push for a more effective EU strategic approach to Roma inclusion after 2020, Eurocities formulated concrete recommendations on how the EU and member states should work together with cities to improve Roma inclusion in Europe. The recommendations are based on a thorough consultation process with the Eurocities Working Group Roma inclusion – involving a survey and a focus group – as well as the findings from the 2017 Roma mapping report and our mutual learning and study visits in the last three years (2017-2019).

Our key messages

Our key messages for the post-2020 EU Roma framework are:

• Adopt an integrated approach to Roma inclusion and involve cities in all stages of policy making to ensure that the local needs of Roma communities are met effectively.
• Set up a multi-level governance mechanism for Roma inclusion to enable EU, national and local authorities to work together, coordinate and mutually reinforce their strategies and tailor them to the local needs of Roma communities.
• Improve access of city authorities to EU and national funding to support the integrated measures and services for Roma inclusion at local level.

Our vision

Eurocities is convinced that Roma inclusion should remain a priority of the EU and its member states. We believe that as the EU’s main tool to coordinate Roma inclusion, the EU Roma framework post-2020 must be shaped closer to Roma people to better respond to the social challenges they face at local level. Roma inclusion can only be achieved through a strategic approach that takes into account the local conditions and specificities. And only by involving cities as partners in the governance and policy making, can the new framework lead to bigger impact on improving the situation of Roma in Europe.

Cities are ready to work with the EU and member states to make Roma inclusion a reality on the ground!

Read the Eurocities recommendations: Eurocities Contribution to post-2020 Roma framework