European Pillar of Social Rights

Roma in the Second Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights

Roma in the Second Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights

In 2017, the European Union made history by adopting the European Pillar of Social Rights (Social Pillar), comprising 20 core social policy principles and a Social Scoreboard of indicators, and aiming to guide the development of fair labour markets and resilient welfare systems across Europe.

The European Commission has committed to making the Social Pillar “the compass for Europe’s recovery and our best tool to ensure no one is left behind,” working toward a more just and socially fair Union.

To deliver on this commitment, the Commission launched the first Social Pillar Action Plan in 2021, translating the policy objectives into concrete actions and measurable targets. Now, in 2025, a Second Action Plan is being prepared to further operationalise the 20 principles and to deliver stronger social outcomes across Member States.

In this context, ERGO Network developed a comprehensive analysis of the 20 policy principles of the Social Pillar principles, highlighting how their implementation must meaningfully include Roma rights, realities, and recommendations, as well as actively align with the EU Strategic Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion, and Participation.

We have shared this analysis series of reader-friendly, visually attractive “Snapshots”, released daily on ERGO Network’s social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, Instagram, and BlueSky) from 9 to 25 July 2025. Each Snapshot combines the latest statistical data, a concise problem statement, and targeted policy recommendations.

The Snapshots are:

As the second Action Plan is being shaped, we urge policymakers to treat this process as a critical opportunity to embed Roma inclusion at the heart of Europe’s social agenda – ensuring no Roma is left behind in the EU’s social rights promise.

For more information about ERGO Network’s work on the European Pillar of Social Rights, please contact Amana Ferro (a.ferro@ergonetwork.org) Senior Policy Adviser with the ERGO Network staff team.

Research report on Roma access to decent and sustainable employment

ERGO Network launches its research report on Roma access to decent and sustainable employment

The European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network held its annual Policy Conference on 25 November, entitled “Implementing the EU Roma Strategic Framework. Roma access to decent and sustainable employment.”

The Roma are more likely to experience discrimination in recruitment and in the workplace, to be paid less, to be offered precarious contracts, to be overlooked for promotions or learning opportunities, or to be given dangerous or unsuitable tasks. While overrepresented in unsustainable and exploitative forms of employment, the Roma are also underrepresented in trade union structures. Additionally, many Roma earn their livelihood from atypical or seasonal forms of work, which are not covered by adequate labour protection legislation and do not provide for employment rights and social security. Job creation efforts are not enough to provide the Roma with quality and secure jobs, and the great potential of social entrepreneurship is insufficiently supported.

The EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation 2020 – 2030 includes, as one of its four sectoral objectives, “Increase effective equal access to quality and sustainable employment” by 2030, while the Council Recommendation on Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation features a comprehensive section calling on Member States to “promote effective equal access for Roma, in particular young Roma, to quality and sustainable employment”. Access to quality and sustainable employment is extensively covered by the European Pillar of Social Rights (Social Pillar), chiefly in its Principles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, while decent work is Goal 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During 2024, ERGO Network conducted in-depth national case studies in six countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain), looking at the realities of Roma employment and access to the labour market and the key barriers the Roma face when trying to access quality and sustainable jobs in these countries. Our members in Ireland provided additional benchmarking evidence. The main findings and recommendations were brought together in an EU synthesis report launched in the framework of the above-mentioned event.

Key messages of the synthesis report:

A majority of Roma are not in paid work, at least not in the formal economy, nor are they adequately supported to enter the labour market. Urgent and significant investment is needed into integrated, personalised Active Inclusion approaches, combining income support with enabling services and Public Employment Services to have the necessary resources, staff, and training.
The Roma who work are in poor-quality jobs with low pay, insecure contracts, unsafe working conditions, no access to training, and almost no trade union coverage. Countries need to develop and implement a comprehensive definition of job quality, covering all the aspects mentioned above, and ensure that it applies to all jobs, all sectors, and all workers. They also need to support and strengthen trade unions and collective bargaining.
Antigypsyism is pervasive in recruitment as well as in the workplace. Much stronger anti-discrimination legislation is needed, coupled with effective implementation mechanisms and monitoring, anti-bias training for employers and recruiters, and broad campaigns to combat antigypsyism in society at large.
Pushed to the margins of the labour market, the Roma make ends meet through the informal economy, pursuing traditional crafts, or seeking work abroad.Combating undeclared work needs to be done by regularising sectors and penalising rogue employers instead of poor workers; broader support schemes for self-employment and more protection for mobile workers are needed to prevent exploitation.
Job creation efforts that would benefit the Roma are scarce – and while the social economy holds great potential for Roma employment, it is currently underutilised. More public investment is needed in locally accessible, community-rooted quality jobs, as well as supportive legislation and improved access to funding for social enterprises as a key tool for Roma employment, including the promotion of Roma social entrepreneurship.
Participation of Roma communities and their civil society organisations is paramount in co-creating sustainable ways forward. Policymakers and labour market actors must cooperate closely with Roma stakeholders and their civil society representatives to ensure evidence-based solutions, support disaggregated data collection, foster common understanding, and bridge cultural gaps.

With this research, we aim to kick-start a debate with policy makers on improving the availability, accessibility, quality, sustainability, and inclusiveness of employment for Europe’s Roma.

Read the EU synthesis report here!
Read the national case studies: Bulgaria – Czech Republic – Hungary – Romania – Slovakia – Spain.
Read the additional benchmarking evidence: Ireland

For more information about ERGO Network’s work on Roma access to decent and sustainable employment, please contact Senior Policy Adviser Amana Ferro.

Annual Policy Conference 2024 – Employment

IMPLEMENTING THE EU ROMA STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK. ROMA ACCESS TO DECENT AND SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT

This past 25 November, ERGO Network organised its annual Policy Conference in Brussels. The conference was dedicated to exploring how to improve Roma access to quality, sustainable, and inclusive employment and taking stock of the implementation of the EU and National Roma Frameworks, with a particular focus on combatting antigypsyism.

The Opening session featured welcome words by Annabel Carballo Mesa of the ERGO Network Board, remarks by Erika Koller from the European Economic and Social Commitee (Workers’ Group and the Permanent Group on the Inclusion of Roma), as well as a video message from Hon. Mélissa Camara MEP (France, Greens/EFA).

The Roma are more likely to experience discrimination in recruitment and in the workplace, to be paid less, to be offered precarious contracts, to be overlooked for promotions or training. Pushed at the margins of the labour market and underrepresented in trade unions, many Roma earn their livelihood from atypical, seasonal, or informal work. Job creation efforts are not enough, and the potential of social entrepreneurship is insufficiently supported. Increasing effective equal access to quality and sustainable employment is an objective of the EU Roma Strategic Framework, while it is also extensively covered by the European Pillar of Social Rights, and decent work is Goal 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event launched ERGO Network’s research report on “Roma access to decent and sustainable employment”, based on six national case studies carried out in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. ERGO Network members in Ireland provided additional benchmarking evidence. The main findings and recommendations aim to kick-start a dialogue with key decision-makers and stakeholders to identify positive solutions to support better labour market inclusion for Roma and to inform the delivery of the EU Roma Strategic Framework and the Social Pillar, as well as of other relevant policy initiatives.

The Key Messages of the report are:

The majority of Roma are not in paid work, at least not in the formal economy, and they are not adequately supported to enter the labour market.
The Roma who work are in poor-quality jobs with low pay, insecure contracts, unsafe working conditions, no access to training, and almost no trade union coverage.
Antigypsyism is pervasive in recruitment as well as in the workplace.
Pushed to the margins of the labour market, the Roma make ends meet through the informal economy, pursuing traditional crafts, or seeking work abroad.
Job creation efforts that would benefit Roma are scarce, and while the social economy holds great potential for Roma employment, it is currently underutilised.
Participation of Roma communities and their civil society organisations is paramount to co-create sustainable ways forward.

With the adoption of the EU Roma Strategic Framework up to 2030, governments were asked to develop National Roma Strategic Frameworks both in EU Member States and Western Balkan countries. In addition, civil society in EU Member States received funding from the European Commission to monitor the elaboration and adoption of these national strategic frameworks. To ensure an effective implementation, robust and continued monitoring of the entire policy process should be ensured.

The second part of the event assessed the state of play of the National Roma Frameworks in both the EU and Enlargement countries and their alignment with the EU Roma Strategic Framework on Equality, Inclusion, and Participation. It linked Council Recommendation in the context of a new European Parliament and European Commission. The session included a keen focus on the fight against antigypsyism, launching a new ERGO Network survey report on the topic. It also looked at digital inclusion and the role of cities in this respect.

Closing remarks were provided by Irena Moozová, Deputy Director General in the European Commission, DG Justice and Consumers, and the event was closed by Gabriela Hrabaňová, ERGO Network Director. The conference was very well attended with over 75 on-site and online participants, and it brought together ERGO Network national members from the grassroots level in many European countries, as well as other national practitioners, European civil society organisations, policy-makers from the EU and national levels, and other stakeholders.

If you attended this event or watched the recording, please let us know what you thought about it by filling out this brief Evaluation Form (project reference: 101140452; event title: ERGO Network Annual Policy Conference).

See more:

Visual summary by Ale listens and draws www.alelistens.com

For more information about this event, please don’t hesitate to contact us: info@ergonetwork.org

This conference is kindly supported by the European Union Programme for Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)  and by the German Federal Foreign Office.

ERGO Network Annual Policy Conference 2023

IMPLEMENTING THE EU ROMA STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK. ROMA ACCESS TO QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

This past 28 November 2023, ERGO Network organised its annual Policy Conference in Brussels, dedicated to exploring how to improve Roma access to adequate, affordable, quality, and inclusive housing, as well as to taking stock of the implementation of the EU and National Roma Frameworks, with a particular focus on housing and environmental justice.

The conference featured keynote interventions from Annelisa Cotone, coordinator for Roma inclusion in the cabinet of European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli, Hon. Peter Pollák MEP (Slovakia, EPP), as well as Paul Divakar Namala, from the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent.

Many Roma still live in informal settlements and segregated neighbourhoods, in inadequate dwellings and disastrous living conditions, with severe environmental consequences. Unable to meet ever-rising housing costs or to prove legal ownership of their home, they endure forced evictions, homelessness, and antigypsyism from local authorities, landlords, and neighbours. Ensuring access to housing and adequate services is an objective of the EU Roma Strategic Framework, while it is also extensively covered by the European Pillar of Social Rights (Social Pillar), the compass for Europe’s recovery, and supported by Goals 6, 7, 11, 13 and 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

The event launched ERGO Network’s research report on “Roma access to quality and affordable housing”, based on six national case studies carried out in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain. Additional benchmarking evidence was provided by ERGO Network members in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Türkiye. The main findings and recommendations aim to kick-start a dialogue with key decision-makers and stakeholders and aim to identify positive solutions to support better housing inclusion for Roma and inform the delivery of the EU Roma Strategic Framework and the Social Pillar, as well as other relevant policy initiatives.

The Key Messages of the report are:

Roma living conditions are significantly worse than those of the majority, while most Roma experience de facto homelessness.
Most Roma live in segregated communities and/or informal settlements, many exposed to environmental hazards.
High costs of housing and overcomplex administrative procedures further reduce Roma access to housing.
The Roma continue to face antigypsyism and forced evictions.
Social housing holds great potential for Roma housing but is currently under-utilised.
Roma communities and their civil society organisations must be involved to co-create sustainable ways forward.

With the adoption of the EU Roma Strategic Framework up to 2030, governments were asked to develop national Roma strategic frameworks both in EU Member States and Western Balkan countries. In addition, civil society in EU Member States received funding from the European Commission to monitor these national strategic frameworks’ elaboration and adoption process. To ensure an effective implementation of the national frameworks, robust and continued monitoring of the entire policy process should be ensured.

The second part of the event assessed the state of play of the National Roma Frameworks in the EU and Enlargement countries and their alignment with the EU Roma Strategic Framework on Equality, Inclusion, and Participation. It linked Council Recommendation, with a keen focus on the areas of housing and environmental justice, also looking at follow-up steps to ensure that implementation does not overlook these important aspects.

The conference was very well attended with over 75 on-site and online participants, and it brought together ERGO Network national members from the grassroots level in many European countries, other national practitioners, European civil society organisations, policy-makers from the EU and national levels, and other stakeholders.

If you attended this event or watched the recording, don’t forget to let us know what you think about it by filling out this brief Evaluation Form (project reference: 101104354; event title: ERGO Network Annual Policy Conference).

See more:

Visuals provided by Ale Listens and Draws

For more information about this event, please don’t hesitate to contact us: info@ergonetwork.org

Research report on Roma access to quality and affordable housing

ERGO Network launches its research report on Roma access to quality and affordable housing

The European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network held its annual Policy Conference on 28 November, entitled “Implementing the EU Roma Strategic Framework. Roma access to quality and affordable housing.” Many Roma still live in informal settlements and segregated neighbourhoods, in inadequate dwellings and disastrous living conditions, with severe environmental consequences. Unable to meet ever-rising housing costs or to prove legal ownership of their home, they endure forced evictions, homelessness, and antigypsyism from local authorities, landlords, and neighbours.

The EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation 2020 – 2030 includes as one of its four sectoral objectives “Increase effective equal access to adequate desegregated housing and essential services”, while the Council Recommendation on Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation features a comprehensive section on “Access to adequate desegregated housing and essential services”, calling on Member States to “ensure equal treatment of Roma people in access to adequate desegregated housing and essential services.” Ensuring access to housing and adequate services and providing support to the homeless are also extensively covered by the European Pillar of Social Rights (Social Pillar), the compass for Europe’s recovery, while it is also supported by Goals 6, 7, 11, 13 and 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

During 2023, ERGO Network conducted in-depth national case studies in six countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain), looking at the realities of Roma housing and living conditions, as well as at the key barriers the Roma face when trying to access quality and affordable housing in these countries. Additional benchmarking evidence was provided by our members in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Türkiye. The main findings and recommendations were brought together in an EU synthesis report, launched in the framework of the above-mentioned event.

Key messages of the report:

Roma living conditions are significantly worse than those of the majority, while most Roma experience de facto homelessness.

Urgent and significant investment is needed to improve the structural condition of the dwellings that most Roma inhabit, including their connection to utilities, in order to render them compliant with the United Nations definition of adequate housing.

Most Roma live in segregated communities and / or informal settlements, many exposed to environmental hazards.

Countries need to develop comprehensive desegregation plans with clear targets and indicators, which should also tackle the legalisation of irregular housing situations and the environmental consequences stemming from the use of unsuitable locations.

High costs of housing and overcomplex administrative procedures further reduce Roma access to housing.

Roma housing and energy poverty must be addressed through improving access to income and better regulation of the housing and utilities market; bureaucratic procedures should be simplified, including decoupling access to services from ID papers and a fixed address.

The Roma continue to face antigypsyism and forced evictions.

Anti-bias training must be compulsory for all housing actors, including local authorities, coupled with strong anti-discrimination legislation and mechanisms; evictions should be a last resort and must entail due notice and the provision of decent alternative housing.

Social housing holds great potential for Roma housing, but is currently under-utilised.

The social housing stock needs to be expanded and improved, while its allocation should follow a rights-based, housing-first approach, reducing conditionality and unaffordability and ensuring that vulnerable groups such as the Roma are prioritised.

Roma communities and their civil society organisations must be involved, in order to co-create sustainable ways forward.

Policymakers and all housing actors must cooperate closely with Roma stakeholders and their civil society representatives to ensure evidence-based solutions, support disaggregated data collection, foster common understanding, and bridge cultural gaps.

With this research, we aim to kick-start a debate with policymakers on improving the availability, accessibility, affordability, quality, and inclusiveness of housing for Europe’s Roma.

Read the EU synthesis report here!
Read the national case studies: Bulgaria – Czech Republic – Hungary – Romania – Slovakia – Spain.
Read the additional benchmarking evidence: Albania – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Ireland (here and here) – Kosovo – North Macedonia – Turkiye.

For more information about ERGO Network’s work on Roma access to quality and affordable housing, please contact Senior Policy Adviser Amana Ferro.