The EU Roma Framework Climbing the Ladder to Inclusion? Andrew Ryder Researcher Bristol University Visiting Researcher Corvinus University Budapest

Roma - one of the most marginalised groups in the EU Low levels of education High unemployment Inadequate housing Poor health Racism and xenophobia European litmus Test The Economic Cost (World Bank)

The EU Roma Framework Lívia Járóka MEP Europe 2020 strategy - Open Method of Coordination - lift at least 20 million people out of poverty and social exclusion in the next decade. The EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies - initiative that was introduced as part of Hungary’s presidency of the EU (April 2011). Member states to devise national action plans to address Roma, Gypsy and Traveller exclusion (Deadline end of 2011). The EU Roma Framework is to be coordinated and monitored by the European Commission. Lívia Járóka MEP

Key Outcomes of the EU Roma Framework National Action Plans by EU member states based on and seeking to achieve: Minimum standards for Roma in housing, education, health care, employment Micro policy to address acute poverty and segregation Coproduction Empowerment, partnership and dialogue with Roma and civil society Inclusive community development Monitoring Synergy Resources from national and EU funding streams

Where are things now? Arnstein’s Ladder Of Participation Outcomes Member states have not submitted National Action Plans Some member states -no consultation with Roma civil society Tokenism – Non Participation (A Ladder of Citizen’s Participation - Arnstein, 1969) EU Roma Framework weakened NRIS can be viewed at: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/roma/national-strategies/index_en.htm

What Happened in the UK? Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland made submissions Westminister Parliament sent a letter stating it had set up an Ministerial Working Group on reducing Gypsy and Traveller inequalities in England chaired by Eric Pickles MP UK Gypsy Roma Traveller civil society have complained about non consultation Civil Society Response - Proposing to run a shadow policy forums through hubs on accommodation – health – education – employment

Where Next? European Commission – a stick as well as a carrot Conditionality Central authority and equality – the ‘greater good’ (Social Europe) Is there a danger of Europeanising issue? The Fiscal Compact Inclusive community development Partnership and Citizen’s Action

Further Reading European Commission (2011) An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020 http://ec.europa.eu/justice/policies/discrimination/docs/com_2011_173_en.pdf Open Society Roma Initiatives (2011) Beyond Rhetoric: Roma Integration Roadmap for 2020 (2011) http://www.romadecade.org/beyond_rhetoric Council of Europe (2012) Human Rights of Roma and Travellers in Europe http://www.coe.int/t/commissioner/source/prems/prems79611_GBR_CouvHumanRightsOfRoma_WEB.pdf