Christine Sudbrock – ERGO Network

Call for a research consultant

ERGO Network is seeking a consultant to contribute to research and activities related to the RIPE (Roma Inclusion, Participation & Equality) Index & Map. The consultancy will span six months and require comprehensive study and coordination across multiple thematic areas, covering several European countries. The work will integrate data from both desk research and grassroots-level surveys.

Find the full call for applications here.

Background

The RIPE (Roma Inclusion, Participation & Equality) Index & Map is a vital tool currently being developed by the ERGO Network to tackle the pervasive discrimination against the Roma community within various European States. RIPE offers a unified framework to assess and compare the conditions of Roma populations across diverse political, social, and economic contexts.

Inspired by established human rights mechanisms, the RIPE Index & Map will systematically assess a wide array of rights and social indices, ensuring comprehensive coverage from human rights to socio-economic conditions. RIPE leverages empirical data to advocate for policies that prevent discrimination and promote Roma inclusion, equality, and participation and at the same time invests on Roma grassroots levels.

Key Tasks

Implementing an Action Plan & Timeline: Conduct research and contribute to the compilation of an analysis report based on the methodology developed by ERGO Network.
Overseeing National Data Collection: Oversee Roma civil society representatives functioning as National Focal Points for data collection.
Conducting Surveys: Provide data on the implementation of standards related to antigypsyism and discrimination.
Data Collection and Analysis: Conduct desk research and synthesize findings with input from national focal points.
Compilation of a Report: Compile monitoring results into a comprehensive report.

Timeframe and budget

Duration: August 5, 2024 – January 31, 2025
Budget: Up to € 8,000 (including VAT)

Application requirements

Detailed CV demonstrating clearly that the tenderer has relevant experience.
Sample of previous relevant work.
Price offer for the total duration of the consultancy services.

Consultant profile

Proven experience in research and methodology development.
Strong analytical and report writing skills.
Knowledge of relevant Human Rights standards for this call and awareness of Romani civil society.
Fluency in English (speaking and writing) is essential.

How to apply

Send your application to info@ergonetwork.org by July 29, 2024, 23:59 CET. For further questions and more information on the methodology and deliverables, contact Georgios Tsiakalos at g.tsiakalos@ergonetwork.org

Join our team! European Solidarity Corps volunteers in ERGO Network

Call for 2 Solidarity Corps volunteers in ERGO Network

ERGO Network is looking for two enthusiastic and active young Roma who would like to join our office team in Brussels for 5 or 8 months in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps.

When: 1 volunteer from September 2023 – April 2024 and 1 volunteer from December 2023 – April 2024

Where: ERGO Network office in Brussels, Belgium

Who: Young Roma professionals between 18 and 30

Deadline for applications: 1^st June 2023

During your time in ERGO Network, you will learn about international advocacy, help us organise international meetings and events and get actively involved in Roma activism and international Roma networks in Brussels. We are looking for two young people who both stay until end of April 2024 in order to help us prepare activities around the International Roma Day and the EU Roma Week. One volunteer is supposed to start in September and one in December.

Your tasks will be defined together with you depending on your interests and skills, but can include:

Communication and campaigning: Support the implementation of our campaign “Decade against antigypsyism”; contribute to the update of the ERGO Network and RomaReact websites and social media channels; development of creative approaches and publicity work to promote our activities and mission and a positive image of Roma.
Youth participation and non-formal education: Representation of ERGO Network in Roma youth events, facilitation of workshops and seminars
Advocacy and policy: Support ERGO staff in EU advocacy work on social policies and anti-discrimination policies; attend debates, hearings and meetings with other stakeholders to challenge stereotypes and racism, build partnership with Roma and non-Roma organizations from Belgium and other European countries.
Meetings and events: Assist in the organisation of the International Roma Day 2024 in Brussels and the EU Roma Week 2024, contribute to the organisation of meetings, events and international seminars of ERGO Network and its partners.

Your profile:

Young Roma between 18 and 30 years
Good English language skills, both oral and written (At least level B1)
Computer literacy (experience with Microsoft office package and social media)
High motivation to learn more about Roma activism and advocacy work and to contribute to a small but very active European NGO
Previous involvement in Roma or (pro) Roma NGOs will be considered an advantage
Reliable, well organised and with attention to detail

You will work about 38 hours per week (including an online language course if desired). Working hours will be from Monday to Friday between 9:00 – 17:00. However, working hours can be adapted to your needs and the activities you will be involved in.

We aim to support young people who are enthusiastic about our cause and want to gain experiences that can be later transferred to national or local NGOs. We especially welcome applications from people who are motivated to challenge stereotypes, antigypsyism and racism and who show an open attitude for a unique learning and life experience, as well as a volunteer spirit of creativity, initiative, responsibility and independence.

We offer:

An allowance of 1200 Euro that includes money for accommodation, meals, local transport, language course and pocket money
Travel costs to Brussels ()
Health insurance for the whole year
On-arrival and mid-term training with other Solidarity Corps volunteers, and lots of learning and development opportunities with ERGO Network and our partners
Access to an online French course offered to European Solidarity Corps volunteers
An exciting and unforgettable experience, working for a multicultural international organisation in the capital of Europe!

How to apply:

Please send your motivation letter (1 page) and CV (max 2 pages) by 1^st June 2023 to info@ergonetwork.org.

We will have interviews with shortlisted candidates and will take our decision at the latest by 23 June. In case the selected volunteer will be from outside the EU, we will then apply for a “volunteer work permit” and support you in the visa application process.

Before coming to Brussels, we will support you in finding accommodation and help you get ready for your time with us.

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information at info@ergonetwork.org.

Please also feel free to contact our current volunteer Annamaria Psenkova (a.psenkova@ergonetwork.org) for any questions you would like to ask from future to current volunteer 😊.

Call for Roma Civil Monitor Coordinators

Call for Roma Civil Monitor 2021-2025 Coordinators in the EU Member States

In the aftermath of the adoption of the EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation (EURSF) on 7 October 2020 and at the initiative of the European Parliament, the European Commission has launched the Roma Civil Monitor (RCM) initiative for the next four years 2021-2025 under the full title “Preparatory action – Roma Civil Monitoring – Strengthening capacity and involvement of Roma and pro-Roma civil society in policy monitoring and review”. This initiative is a follow-up to the Roma Civil Monitor pilot project 2017-2020 and aims at involving at least 90 Roma and pro-Roma civil society organisations and individuals from 26 EU Member States (Malta is not included) in monitoring and reporting mainly on the Member States’ national Roma strategic frameworks (NRSF) but also other policies concerning Roma. The initiative will contribute to building the capacity of the national Roma and pro-Roma civil societies and will provide them with systematic support in engaging in the dialogue, advocacy and cooperation with national stakeholders.

This call aims to select Coordinators for all 26 EU Member States eligible for the RCM 2021-2025 initiative. One entity may apply and be selected to coordinate the initiative in several eligible countries.
Selected Coordinators will implement the activities at the national level under the guidance and supervision of the RCM consortium that brings together highly acknowledged organisations working for Roma equality, inclusion and participation at international level: Central European University, ERGO Network, Fundación Secretariado Gitano, and the European Roma Rights Centre. The consortium has successfully implemented the previous RCM initiative 2017-2020 involving more than 100 civil society actors.

Find here the full call for applications with all relevant information.

Find here the application form for coordinators.

Find here the annex form for coalition members.

The deadline for applications is 7 November 2021.

The Roma Civil Monitor 2021-2025 initiative, with a full title “Preparatory Action – Roma Civil Monitoring – Strengthening capacity and involvement of Roma and pro-Roma civil society in policy monitoring and review“, is implemented by a consortium led by the Democracy Institute of the Central European University (DI/CEU), and including European Roma Grasroots Organisations Network (ERGO Network), Fundatión Secretariado Gitano (FSG) and European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), under a service contract with the European Commission’s Directorate-General Justice and Consumers (DG Just).

Fundamental Rights Forum 2021

Fundamental Rights Forum 2021: Monitoring, preventing and countering antigypsyism

Every year, the European Union’s Fundamental Rights Agency invites policy-makers, civil society and other stakeholders to the “Fundamental Rights Forum”, as a space for dialogue on human rights challenges facing the EU today.

At this year’s edition of the Forum on 11-12 October 2021, ERGO Network together with the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma hosted a session to examine how antigypsyism can be effectively monitored, prevented and countered under the national Roma strategic frameworks both as a horizontal and stand-alone priority. Under the new EU Roma Strategic Framework 2021-2030, national governments are expected to develop mechanisms for reporting, monitoring and evaluation of progress on Roma equality, inclusion and participation towards set targets, including by improving data collection and setting Roma indicators.

The panellists discussed the role of the European Commission, the Fundamental Rights Agency, Equality Bodies and civil society in this regard and shed light on the challenges of effectively monitoring antigypsyism in the EU Member States, as well as enlargement countries. Panellists included Bernard Rorke (European Roma Rights Centre), Angelika Grabher-Wusche (Fundamental Rights Agency), Tamas Kadar (Equinet) and Markus End (Adviser, Germany) who discussed with Guillermo Ruiz (Central Council for German Sinti and Roma) and Isabela Mihalache (ERGO Network).

The experts expressed in particular the need for a shift of data collection from individual incidents and perceptions of discrimination to monitoring structural and institutional antigypsyism. Even though antigypsyism is increasingly recognised by policy-makers, all panellists agreed that in EU Member States and enlargement countries there is still a significant lack of political will, especially when it comes to addressing structural racism. Data collection as is an valuable tool to show policy-makers where action is needed. The speakers agreed that during the past years, the Fundamental Rights Agency has collected clear evidence of antigypsyism for policy-makers and derived positive conclusions and recommendations, but that this data alone does not change anything when Member States do not start to act, and can even be abused when interpreted wrongfully.

Finally, the important role of civil society in monitoring the implementation of National Roma Strategies was discussed. While civil society participation was clearly lacking in developing the national strategies, the new cycle of the Roma Civil Monitoring project will give civil society the opportunity to closely monitor its implementation.

Isabela Mihalache, Senior Policy Officer of ERGO Network, concluded the event with the call to better mainstream the fight against antigypsyism within the bigger framework of the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan. Fighting together with other racialised minorities will create synergies and help to combat structural antigypsyism.

Welcome to our new team member

Welcome to our new team member

The ERGO Network secretariat is growing! From 19 October, we well welcome a new team member: Ana Rozanova will join the secretariat as Communication and Membership Officer.