Guidebook on EU Structural Funds related to Roma integration 2011
Contents Introduction 4 Section 1 What are the Structural Funds? 5 1.1 The European Regional Development Fund 5 1.2 The European Social Fund 5 1.3 The Cohesion Fund 6 Section 2 The Roma under the Structural Funds 7 2.1 Education 7 2.2 Employment 7 2.3 Housing 8 2.4 Health 8 2.5 Roma women 8 2.6 Access to services 9 2.7 Protection of the ethnic specifics and culture of Roma 9 2.8 Participation of Roma in political life 9 2.9 Presence of the Roma in national media 9 Section 3 Positive practices of Roma integration 10 3.1 Spain, ACCEDER 10 3.2 Finland, Mainstreaming Jyvaskla and Eurojoki 10 3.3 Slovakia, Career guidance for Roma children Tusicka Nova Ves 11 Section 4 Recommendations for effective use of Structural Funds 12 2
Acknowledgments This leaflet was developed with the European Commission support under the operational grant in the framework of PROGRESS programme for support of European level Roma networks. 3
Introduction European Structural Funds are important EU financial tools for member states to use in order to improve their economic and social development. Over the years, the European Union created four funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). The ERDF provides assistance to those regions whose development is lagging behind and those that are going through an economic adaptation or having structural difficulties. The ESF provides support relating to employment. The EAGGF provides financial help for the improvement of rural areas whose development is lagging behind. The FIFG assists the restructuring in the fisheries sector. Although EU funds are available to improve the integration of the Roma people, this can only be achieved when, and if, these funds are effectively used by member states. Unfortunately, member states are not currently effectively using and implementing to its maximum this funding opportunity. Understanding and taking account of the specificity of the Roma situation is necessary in order to increase significantly the effectiveness of the Structural Funds. Another obstacle to the use of the funds is the insufficient information that the target group - the Roma people - has regarding such funding tools. Disseminating information is an indispensable part of achieving our goals and that is why ERIO wants to help the information reaching the concerned organisations as well as the final beneficiaries who are often not aware of their rights and the ways that they can exercise them. The aims of this brochure are to raise awareness about the opportunities offered by EU Structural Funds (focusing on the European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund), promote their use and improve the impact of projects supported by them. This will lead to a better involvement of the Roma in the implementation of the EU funds operational programmes. This leaflet is organised in four parts. The first part provides general information on the functioning of the European Social Fund (ESF), the Cohesion Fund and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The second part explains the particularity of the Roma situation regarding the Structural Funds. The third part gives some positive examples of effective fund usage from Spain, Finland and Slovakia. The fourth part provides ERIO s recommendations for effective use the Structural Funds. 4
Section 1 Major barriers faced by Roma migrants 1.1 The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Objectives The main objective of the ERDF is to promote social and economic cohesion within the European Union by reducing inequalities between regions or social groups. To achieve this, it supports regional development and structural adjustment. Funding priorities Create sustainable jobs Create economic growth Transport Communication technologies Energy Update economic structures Environmental protection Social infrastructure Risk prevention Research and innovation Infrastructure investment Legislative amendment of Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 Under the previous ERDF provisions (Article 7(2) of the ERDF Regulation), housing interventions for rural areas or marginalised communities were not eligible. A subsequent modification to the same article, seeks to allow and facilitate housing interventions in favour of marginalised communities in those member states acceding on or after 1 May 2004. 1.2 The European Social Fund (ESF) Objectives The main aim of the ESF is to help prevent and fight unemployment and to keep people in touch with the labour market. To reach this objective, it provides financial assistance to help member states meet the aims they have agreed together for educating and training people throughout Europe. Funding priorities Increase the flexibility of workers and enterprises Improve access to employment Strengthen social inclusion by fighting discrimination and increase the access to the labour market of disadvantaged groups 5
Promotion of partnership for improvement in the areas of employment and inclusion 1.3 The Cohesion Fund Objectives The Cohesion Fund aims to support financially the poorest member states. As such, it is available to Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Funding priorities Transport Environment Energy 6
Section 2 Roma under the Structural Funds Programmes and actions for Roma inclusion are mainly supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The following four key areas issues are among the most pressing issues for Roma communities. 2.1 Education Education is a main issue related to Roma poverty. Few Roma children and young people go to school and their educational performance is poor, which subsequently worsens their employment opportunities. Roma face serious constraints in access to education. This is evident in low educational enrolment rates for Roma children, while segregated schooling persists. Special schooling remains a key aspect of Roma education. Roma children are often placed in special schools for children with special needs. School infrastructure Pre-school facilities and materials Training of teachers / assistants After-school clubs Post-secondary The following actions could be funded: Financing of studies to assess the current educational situation, and to propose appropriate measures Support and stimulation to the introduction of preparatory classes for Roma children who do not speak the national language Mentoring, including for families (this is particularly important) After-hours support (e.g. homework groups) Stimulation of the employment of teachers with adequate qualification and specialisation Cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness Introduction of Assistant teachers from the Roma communities, who will help in the process of teaching of Roma children (within mainstream education) Abolition of early vocational and labour education 2.2 Employment The employment status for Roma is significantly worse than for the general population. This is driven by comparatively low school enrolment for Roma children and youth, who are often engaged in various income-generating activities rather than attending class. Roma face poor employment rates which are mainly due to low education levels 7
and discrimination. At the same time, Roma employment is mainly casual, short-term or low-skilled, with many individuals in work remaining poor. Training and employment programmes Self-employment, setting up cooperatives or firms Micro-credits 2.3 Housing Roma housing conditions are significantly lower compared to the general population. It is often sub-standard with inferior sanitary conditions (e.g. low access to water supply), lacking space and with insufficient daylight. Roma face limited housing options partly due to discrimination and financial restrictions. Provision of services such as water, heating, electricity, waste disposal etc. Social housing 2.4 Health Roma health standards and life expectancy are lower than the general population. Poor health status is mainly due to insecure housing and living conditions, poor understanding of health and hygiene issues among Roma and many obstacles to access to the healthcare system. Roma s low health standards undermine their ability to generate income in the labour market. Persistent and poverty-driven diseases hinder or prevent work ability and participation, thus depriving working age Roma from generating an important source of income. Improvement of sanitary standards Programmes of health education 2.5 Roma women Women within Roma communities face multiple forms of discrimination, social exclusion and poverty. They suffer unequal treatment from a very early age. Many parents do not allow Roma girls to continue their studies more often than Roma boys resulting in lack of qualifications and skills and rendering many Roma women powerless to compete in the labour market. Direct participation of Roma women in educational projects Access of Roma women to higher education Programmes for Roma women who are entrepreneurs 8
Awareness raising campaigns among Roma men to overcome the gender discrimination inside Roma communities 2.6 Access to services Training of mediators 2.7 Protection of the ethnic specifics and culture of Roma Restoration of cultural or historic centres in Roma neighbourhoods Restoration of infrastructure in Roma neighbourhoods Training on materials for Roma academic or cultural actions 2.8 Participation of Roma in political life Actions that remove external and internal barriers thereby improving Roma political participation and developing political leadership 2.9 Presence of the Roma in national media Training or materials to increase participation of Roma in nationwide television and radio 9
Section 3 Positive practices of Roma integration 3.1 Spain, European Social Fund ACCEDER Location: Various regions in Spain Objectives and activities of the project: The project was promoted by Fundación Secretariado General Gitano (FSGG). The main aim of Acceder is to find jobs for Roma in Spain s mainstream job market, through the use of an integrated, multi-dimensional and individualised approach. The project aims to help increase the professional skills and access to paid employment of Roma jobseekers by providing vocational training. A total of 47 employment centres in 13 regions were established staffed by 235 Roma and non-roma workers (mainly mediators) and available to the local Roma communities. The training underlined personalised training and services, links between Roma and service providers, capacity building of Roma and engaging in policy issues. A total number of 28,000 participants were trained of which 9,000 found work (almost 6,000 Roma), with a gender balance. Financial framework: The budget amounts to 45m Value: As shown by the figures, this programme had brought impressive results. This has mainly been so due to the programme s features: a cautious analysis of job market and training needs set in the context of the wider issues affecting Roma; partnership between NGO and state actors; individualization of the training process; the combination of Roma participation with other disadvantaged groups; and its visibility. 3.2 Finland, European Social Fund, Mainstreaming - Jyvaskla and Eurojoki Location: Jyvaskla and Eurojoki, Finland Objectives and activities of the project: Three projects were set up. The first, run by the City of Jyvaskla aimed to assist unemployed and disadvantaged Roma people with Kosovan Roma who had recently arrived in the region. The second, run by the adult training centre in Jyvaskla provided facilities for unemployed Roma people and their families for training and education. The third, developed by the Christian Institute in Eurojoki provided education, training and citizenship instruction for Roma people, immigrants, people with disabilities and substance abusers. Financial framework: Project 1 (by the City of Jyvaskla) amounts to 842,100 10
Project 2 (by the adult training centre in Jyvaskla) amounts to 174,000 Project 3 (by the Christian Institute in Eurojoki) amounts to 370,000 Value: These projects attempted to mainstream provision for Roma into the European Social Fund and services were provided not just for Roma, but Roma together with other groups who shared a similar problem of access to the labour market. 3.3 Slovakia, European Social Fund, Career guidance for Roma children - Tusicka Nova Ves Location: Slovakia Objectives and activities of the project: The project aims to try to get schools thinking of career guidance for Roma and other disadvantaged children, especially at the end of primary school. At present, little such guidance is provided. The rationale of the project is to work with teachers to help them to provide 27 career guidance, set up an information and advisory office, provide career advice information and develop school activities to help students think of their future educational and career choices, but also to challenge students to think of non-traditional careers. Financial framework: The budget amounts to 5.2m Value: The project introduced a new aspect into the school system that would have the effect of providing practical and personal support to Roma and other disadvantaged pupils, and to raise their expectations for their future education and career paths. 11
Section 4 Recommendations for effective use of Structural Funds To ensure that structural funds are effectively used by member states in order to improve the integration of Roma communities and reduce social inequalities, ERIO would like to address the following recommendations: European Commission Ensure that member states are committed to use EU financial instruments for Roma inclusion (e.g. Structural Funds). Simplify the application process and access to Structural Funds to facilitate and improve the use by member states. Ensure that member states evaluate the contribution and impact of the EU funds on their fight to reduce poverty and social exclusion. Call on member states to ensure funding reaches the areas where Roma live by providing a more efficient fund allocation. Ensure member states fund innovate pro-active projects. Member states Make better use of EU Structural Funds for social inclusion to support projects aiming at promoting intercultural cohesion and challenging prejudices. Make sure Structural Funds for Roma inclusion are effectively used and have a positive impact on the needs of Roma communities. Much too often, Structural Funds are being ineffectively used. Raise awareness about Structural Funds among Roma communities to ensure their accessibility to the Roma. This can be achieved through media tools and by organising events such as campaigns or community meetings to inform Roma people about the possibilities of the funds. For these initiatives to be effective, member states have to find ways to overcome possible language barriers in communication with Roma people. Raise awareness about Structural Funds at the local level to ensure that local and regional authorities are well informed about funding possibilities. Promote intercultural information, training and activities to staff at local and regional administrations in order to develop their intercultural skills and learning and to promote a positive understanding of intercultural diversity. This should be complemented with a contextualised training about the current needs of Roma communities. 12
This publication is supported under the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity - PROGRESS (2007-2013). This programme is managed by the Directorate-General for Employment, social affairs and equal opportunities of the European Commission. It was established to financially support the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in the employment and social affairs area, as set out in the Social Agenda, and thereby contribute to the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy goals in these fields. The seven-year Programme targets all stakeholders who can help shape the development of appropriate and effective employment and social legislation and policies, across the EU-27, EFTA-EEA and EU candidate and pre-candidate countries. PROGRESS mission is to strengthen the EU contribution in support of Member States' commitment. PROGRESS will be instrumental in: - providing analysis and policy advice on PROGRESS policy areas; - monitoring and reporting on the implementation of EU legislation and policies in PROGRESS policy areas; - promoting policy transfer, learning and support among Member States on EU objectives and priorities; and - relaying the views of the stakeholders and society at large For more information see: http://ec.europa.eu/progress The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. 13