On 29-30 November, EURoma Network organised its second Management Committee meeting. The meeting gathered representatives of the public authorities in charge of European Cohesion Policy Funds (notably ESF/ESF+ and ERDF) and of the public bodies responsible for Roma policies (notably the National Roma Contact Points) of 21 EU Member States, including representatives of the 15 countries taking part in the Network as well as of 6 additional countries that joined the meeting.
In addition, as it is usually the case, it counted on the involvement (as participants and speakers) of representatives from the European Commission’s Directorate-Generals (DGs) and departments with competences in Roma equality and inclusion, European Cohesion Policy Funds (ESF/ESF+ and ERDF) as well as other areas addressed at the meeting, including DG Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), DG Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), DG Education, Youth, Sports and Culture (DG EAC) and the European Commission’s Secretariat-General. Representatives of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and other experts in the topics address also contributed to the meeting with their experience and views.
In line with EURoma’s objective to promote an increased and more effective use of European Cohesion Policy Funds for the promotion of social inclusion, equal opportunities and the fight against discrimination of the Roma population, the meeting’s agenda included sessions with a two-fold objective:
- To review recent relevant EU developments related to Roma equality, inclusion and fight against discrimination and to European Cohesion Policy Funds (notably ESF/ESF+ and ERDF), with particular attention to the connection between them.
- To address relevant aspects related to the use of European Cohesion Policy Funds for tackling, from an integrated approach, the effective equal access to adequate desegregated housing and essential services for Roma population, including the challenge of residential segregation.
