Our compliance policies
SAFEGUARDING AT ERGO NETWORK
At ERGO Network, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone we work with, especially our members, partners, and the communities we serve.
Safeguarding is not only about protecting individuals from harm; it is also about ensuring their well-being. It’s about actively building trust, preventing abuse, and holding ourselves accountable to the people we aim to empower.
Safeguarding at ERGO Network means taking all reasonable steps to prevent any form of harm, abuse, exploitation or harassment in the context of our work. This includes harm to:
- Children and young people
- Roma and pro-Roma grassroots partners
- Staff, volunteers, and collaborators
- People in vulnerable situations or underrepresented groups
We promote safeguarding in every aspect, from our secretariat and partner engagement to online communication and public events.
ERGO Network has adopted internal safeguarding policies in line with international standards. We expect all staff, board members, partners and project collaborators to uphold these principles and contribute to a culture of safety and mutual respect.
If you experience or witness inappropriate behaviour, abuse, or safeguarding concerns in connection with our work, please contact us confidentially at: c.sudbrock@ergonetwork.org
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
At ERGO Network, we recognise the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping our societies, and we are committed to using it responsibly.
Our AI Policy sets clear rules for the safe, ethical and transparent use of AI tools aligned with our mission and values, and fully compliant with the EU AI Act.
This policy applies to all ERGO Network staff, consultants, volunteers and members who use AI in any part of our work whether in operations, communications, research or events. It complements our other governance documents, including our Diversity & Inclusion Policy, Safeguarding Policy and Staff Working Regulations.
We use AI in ways that:
- Protect rights and empower Roma communities
- Promote transparency and accountability
- Challenge discrimination and bias
- Strengthen digital inclusion
- Follow the law and ethical standard
Diversity and inclusion policy
We strongly believe in promoting diversity and inclusion within our organisation. We recognise the value of creating an environment where every individual’s unique perspectives, skills, and experiences are celebrated, respected, and given equal opportunities. This policy outlines our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
This policy is complementary to other governance documents of ERGO Network, and in particular our safeguarding policy and the staff working regulations.
Data protection policy
We attach great importance to the protection of personal data, which requires us to process it as a data controller in the context of our activities. Processing refers to all operations applied to data that directly or indirectly identify a natural person.
Whistleblowing policy
This policy aims to enable and encourage staff to raise concerns within ERGO Network. ERGO Network is committed to creating a safe, open and transparent workplace culture, where employees are encouraged to raise concerns at the earliest opportunity. ERGO Network recognises that employees are often the first to realise that there may be something seriously wrong within an organisation.
Conflict of interest policy
The purpose of this policy is to protect the interests of ERGO Network by: (a) preventing the personal interest of the Board, employees, and independent contractors from interfering with their duties to the organisation and (b) avoiding any unethical financial, professional, or political gain on the part of such individuals. This policy intends to supplement, not replace, any applicable national, regional or local laws regarding conflicts of interest.