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

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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:

6. 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

7. 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

8. Further Reading
European Commission (2011) An EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020
Open Society Roma Initiatives (2011) Beyond Rhetoric: Roma Integration Roadmap for 2020 (2011)
Council of Europe (2012) Human Rights of Roma and Travellers in Europe