Roma platform

Why a Roma platform?

The idea of a European Roma Platform emerged at the 1st European Roma Summit in Brussels in September 2008.

Following this event, EU countries called on the European Commission to organise "an exchange of good practice and experience between the EU countries in the sphere of inclusion of the Roma, provide analytical support and stimulate cooperation between all parties concerned by Roma issues, including the organisations representing Roma, in the context of an integrated European Platform" (General Affairs Council, 8th December 2008) .

Extraordinary meeting of the EU Platform

The extraordinary meeting took place in Brussels on 22 March 2012. Read more on the dedicated minisite.

Sixth meeting of the European Platform

The sixth meeting of the Roma Platform focused upon "The role of stakeholders in making of the EU Framework a success". This meeting provided the unique opportunity for discussing the EU Framework for national Roma integration strategies before Member States were expected to present their policy documents. It was also the first one following the reform of the EU Platform for Roma Inclusion announced in the Commission's Communication . The meeting combined workshops and plenary sessions to provide all stakeholders - Member States, EU institutions, international organisations and civil society organisations - with adequate space for exchanges and joint reflection.

• Minutes and conclusions(194 KB)  .

Fifth meeting

The fifth meeting of the Roma Platform(128 KB)   took place in Budapest on 7th - 8th April 2011, in the framework of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU. The thematic focus of this meeting was put on the territorial approach of poverty. The Platform meeting also provided an arena to present and discuss the European Parliament Resolution on the EU Roma Strategy of 9th March 2011 and the Communication adopted by the Commission on 5th April 2011 on an EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020:

• the Commission Communication on the EU Framework for national Roma integration strategies ;
• the European Parliament Resolution on the EU Roma Strategy ;
• the territorial dimension of poverty, based on the background paper drafted by the Hungarian Presidency;
• Discussion paper on the territorial aspects of extreme poverty drawing up a European extreme poverty map(2 MB)  .

Fourth meeting

The fourth meeting of the Roma Platform(125 KB)   took place in Brussels on 13th December 2010, in the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the EU. The question of the importance, accessibility and quality of early childhood services provided for Roma children and their families was discussed at length by all stakeholders present.

• Preventing social exclusion through the Europe 2020 Strategy: Early childhood development and the inclusion of Roma families

Third meeting

The third meeting of the Roma Platform was organised under the Spanish Presidency on 17 June 2010. The meeting focused on the discussion of a roadmap proposed by the Spanish Presidency, providing a mid-term framework of actions for the Platform.

Second meeting

The second meeting of the Roma Platform took place in Brussels on 28th September 2009. It focused on the issue of Roma education.

First meeting

The first meeting of the Roma Platform took place in Prague on 24th April 2009, in the framework of the Czech Presidency of the EU. In this frame, 10 Common Basic Principles to effectively address the inclusion and integration of Roma was identified. These Principles were annexed by Employment and Social Affairs Ministers of the EU countries on 8th June 2009, to their Conclusions on the inclusion of the Roma.