Brussels – Progress in the areas of employment, education, and early childhood care: the European Commission published today (3 November) the Third report on implementation of the
EU Roma strategic framework
– the EU’s policy and coordination instrument designed to promote the social, economic, and cultural inclusion of the Roma and Sinti communities – covering the period from June 2023 to March 2025. The text sets out how the document advances equality, inclusion, and participation for the minority, while also outlining “the remaining challenges.” According to a press release by the European Commission, in addition to employment, education, and early childhood care, progress has also been made in terms of equality and inclusion policies, as well as “greater political recognition of anti-Gypsyism” – the widespread prejudice and hatred towards the Romani, Sinti, and other groups.
The report highlights that “severe material deprivation amongst the Roma has fallen significantly, from 62 per cent in 2016 to 37 per cent in 2024,” while the proportion of young people in work, education or training has risen from 38 per cent to 53 per cent. As regards housing deprivation, a decline was recorded, falling from 61 per cent to 47 per cent. The proportion of Roma in paid employment has risen from 43 to 54 per cent, and “it is expected that most of the employment-related targets will be met by 2030.”
The report states that “around half of the Member States reported having adopted measures to improve Roma people’s access to adequate, non-segregated housing and essential services, using a combination of targeted interventions and general schemes supplemented by specific safeguards for Roma people.” It also states that “progress is being made in the transition towards different housing solutions.” Furthermore, “in Italy, the number of people living in segregated settlements has fallen significantly.”
In particular, “the survey indicates that almost all the employment targets set out in the EU’s strategic framework for the Roma can be achieved by 2030, thanks to significant progress made in Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, and Spain,” it states. And it is precisely in Spain and Italy that “a noteworthy aspect” is observed, namely “the emphasis placed on digital inclusion and future-oriented skills, with the aim of facilitating Roma access to the service and digital sectors,” writes the European Commission.
The Berlaymont Building points out, however, that progress remains uneven and that “obstacles to true equality remain.” For example, only around a third of young Roma complete upper secondary education, and 31 per cent are still victims of ethnic discrimination. Furthermore, poverty and social exclusion are deeply entrenched: 77 per cent of children are at risk of poverty, and 40 per cent of households live “in conditions of severe material deprivation”. The Commission has therefore called on Member States to support and step up the efforts needed to achieve the 2030 targets set out in the Framework.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
