Evaluation of ESF Support for Roma integration Dominique Bé EURoma, 10 November 2011, Budapest

Methodology part of wider evaluation of ESF Support for inclusion of migrants & ethnic minorities ESF & ESF EQUAL mainly based on interviews (because lack of data)

Aims labour market integration & social inclusion of Roma assess ESF contribution identify most effective means of tackling barriers provide guidelines to implement ESF make recommendations for ESF

Overall evaluation increased focus of ESF to promoting Roma labour market integration in compared with OP strategies increased financial allocation increased ESF allocation to Roma specific actions but n° EU countries supporting Roma specific measures has not increased because explicit but not exclusive targeting approach ESF multiannual programming long-term approach EQUAL more integrated approach

Overall evaluation lack of reliable data on ESF spending for Roma integration Roma participation in ESF measures impact of ESF measures lack of culture of monitoring & evaluation in ESF no reduction of unemployment among Roma persistent 40-90% unemployment rate multi-dimensional barriers to labour market participation of Roma closing the gap could take years

Evaluation Achievements for individuals because of distance from labour market limited hard outcomes but soft outcomes: basic employability skills, self confidence, interpersonal skills, etc. need for job placements but challenge of transition to real jobs self-employment schemes but lack of ESF microfinance vocational training (construction, care, etc.) languages skills for migrating Roma

Evaluation Achievements for systems & structures move towards: personalised employment pathways rather than one-off measures integrated approaches employment + education + health + housing targeting job-seekers but also families closer cooperation with Roma NGOs desegregation of schools growing awareness about Roma discrimination but sustainability of projects when ESF funding stops ?

Recommendations to Member States Policies 10 Common Basic Principles for Roma Integration mainstreaming & explicit but not exclusive targeting integrated approach education, employment, housing, health & access to quality public services data collection about Roma labour market & social situation better coordination between ESF & national strategies, programmes & initiatives on Roma integration other EU funds

Recommendations to Member States ESF implementation better vertical & horizontal coordination of ESF management structures more micro-project grant schemes for small Roma NGOs to develop & strengthen their capacity better involvement of Roma NGOs during whole ESF programme lifecycle participation in Monitoring Committees additional capacity-building support better coordination between national authorities & local municipalities & NGOs better understanding of realities on the ground

Recommendations to Member States Thematic interventions inclusion of Roma children in mainstream schools but sustainability of projects after ESF funding stops ? early targeting of Roma children & youths e.g. preparatory classes in the national language & after- hours school support closer cooperation with enterprises in vocational training & employability domains long-term approach when targeting Roma women, including their children adult education spatial & territorial factors: no one-approach fits all situations

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