Roma integration strategies in the EU

The EU has long stressed the need for improved Roma integration. The European institutions and each individual Member State have a joint responsibility for changing the current situation.

The Roma are Europe’s largest ethnic minority. Some six million Roma live in the Union, most of them as EU citizens. In spite of the non-discrimination policies in force in the Member States, many Roma in the EU are victims of prejudice and social exclusion.

EU framework and national measures

In 2011, the Commission adopted an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies for the period to 2020 which focuses on four key areas: education, employment, healthcare and housing.

Member States have undertaken to develop national Roma integration strategies or an integrated set of measures and to coordinate their national efforts.

All the Member States except Malta have now developed a national strategy or an integrated set of measures on the integration of the Roma. Every Member State has its own ideas on how Roma integration could be improved and how access to EU funds for disadvantaged groups such as the Roma should be granted and managed.

The Commission assesses the implementation of the EU framework in its annual reports. The latest report was published in April 2014.

Parliament resolutions

Parliament supports national and European measures against social exclusion and discrimination and makes its stance clear by adopting specific resolutions, including the resolution of 12 December 2013 on the progress made in the implementation of the National Roma Integration Strategies. In its resolution of 10 December 2013, Parliament comments on the gender-specific aspects of the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies.

Additional information

Additional information on the Roma is available on the Commission’s EU and Roma page. The Commission has also compiled a list of additional links concerning funding and various projects.

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