Roma civil society
The effectiveness of policies is enhanced with the active participation of Roma people and the wide European civil society. The involvement of civil society is recognised by the European Commission as decisive both for the mobilisation of expertise and the dissemination of knowledge required to develop public debate and accountability throughout the policy process.
Cooperation with the civil society
First, the civil society provides an incomparable expertise and knowledge about the needs of the Roma. Involving the civil society allows this information to be brought up and taken into account for the design of policies.
In parallel, the cooperation with the European civil society organisations and the mobilisation of their associated networks allows all relevant information from the European and national authorities to be exchanged and spread out also at the very local level.
Finally, the cooperation with the civil society provides the opportunity to set up cross-sector and strong synergies among the various stakeholders of the Roma issue in Europe.
The organisation of the European Platform for Roma inclusion and of the European Roma Summits provides a specific arena for dialogue between the European Commission and the civil society.
The European Commission has also signed a partnership framework agreement with the European Roma Information Office (ERIO).
Finally, the European Commission organises an internship scheme for young Roma graduates in partnership with the Open Society Institute: 5 young Roma join the European Commission for five months to work as trainee twice a year.
International developments
The European Commission is involved in various international initiatives aiming at bridging efforts for the integration of Roma in Europe.
The European Commission's work is built on existing expertise and experiences of the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015 as well as:
- initiatives such as the Roma Education Fund;
- the OSCE Action Plan;
- the recommendations of the Council of Europe;
- the recommendations of the United Nations.
It also participates in the Roma Informal Contact Group of international organisations.