MONITORING
Monitoring and fact-finding play an important role in the advocacy of ERGO Network. We bridge European policies and grassroots realities of Roma people in Europe by monitoring the implementation of EU policies that should benefit Roma in EU member states and make recommendations to national governments and the European institutions for an improved effectiveness of such policies. We conduct research projects and fact-finding missions to bring evidence of social exclusion and antigypsyism to European and national policy makers.
Key Activities
Roma Civil Monitor
ERGO and its members monitor the implementation of the EU Roma Framework and national Roma integration strategies. Together with the Central European University and other partners, ERGO recently undertook a large-scale pilot project that involved around 90 Roma NGOs in all EU Member States monitoring the strategies from a civil society viewpoint.
Community-led local development
ERGO Network actively supports Roma actors in monitoring the use of EU funds locally, especially through the bottom-up tool of community-led local development. At the same time, the monitoring process empowers them to get involved in the CLLD process and helps local communities understand the importance of Roma inclusion.
Local policy scorecards
ERGO Network’s local policy scorecard is a tool to quickly assess and compare how local authorities tackle Roma inclusion. We invite representatives of Roma communities, NGOs and individual activists to use this tool to assess the performance of their municipality and compare it with others.
Re-Act: Remember and Act!
ERGO Network is partner of the Re-Act project coordinated by INACH, which researches how “old” concepts of antisemitism and antigypsyism are being re-enacted. The project will also develop, collect and provide educational materials and tools for the prevention of racism, xenophobia, homophobia and other forms of intolerance.
Related news
13
Apr
The impact of Covid-19 on Roma communities in the European Union and the Western Balkans Together with partners from seven EU Member States, five Western Balkan countries and Turkey, ERGO Network has prepared an in-depth study about the devastating impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had and continue to has on Roma and Travellers across Europe.
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29
Mar
ERGO Network responds to the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights On 4 March 2021, the European Commission proposed an Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (Social Pillar), aiming to turn its 20 policy principles into concrete policy actions. The European Commission has pledged to make
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25
Mar
ERGO Network members meet EC desk officers to discuss Community-Led Local Development On 11 March 2021, the European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network facilitated an online exchange meeting between its national members in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Romania, and their counterparts in the country desks of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), DG
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18
Mar
Ineffectiveness or misuse of EU funds Synthesis report of case studies from ERGO Network members in 4 countries In 2020, in the framework of ERGO Network’s Work Programme “Roma Included in Social Europe” funded by DG EMPL, ERGO members from Romania (Policy Centre for Roma and Minorities), Bulgaria (Integro Association), Hungary (Butterfly Development) and Slovakia
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03
Mar
Roma inclusion in the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) cycle 2014-2020 Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) is an initiative for involving citizens at local level in developing responses to today’s social, environmental, and economic challenges, and a promising tool for investing in Roma inclusion. Unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion, which are key topics for Europe’s Roma, are
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19
Nov
Social Economy and Roma Inclusion in times of Covid-19 ERGO Network Annual Public Conference with Social Economy Europe and the European Parliament Intergroup on Social Economy This past 17 November, ERGO Network organised its annual public event, together with Social Economy Europe and the European Parliament Intergroup on Social Economy. This year’s conference, which took
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10
Nov
ERGO Network delegation meets Cabinet of European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit On 5 November 2020, the European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network facilitated an online exchange meeting between its national members and Ms Anouk Faber and Mr Christoph Nerlich, members of the cabinet of European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights
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04
Nov
The Council of the EU adopts a recommendation for more inclusive measures to boost youth employment by reinforcing the Youth Guarantee – Will Roma youth be included?! On 30th of October, the Council of the European Union adopted by unanimity a Recommendation on ‘A Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee’. The new scheme
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15
Oct
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Roma and how to be prepared for the next crisis Presentation during the High-level Conference launching the EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation until 2030 by Adriatik Hasantari, Roma Active Albania, Vice-chair ERGO Network (12 October 2020) During August and September 2020, ERGO Network and its
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24
Sep
Dream to grow: How to make Europe’s labor markets a place for all Co-hosted by: European Roma Grassroots Organizations Network (ERGO) and the Romani Early Years Network (REYN), an initiative of ISSA – the International Step by Step Association October 7th, 14:00 – 16:00 CET Find the agenda and catalogue of human books here. Sign
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23
Sep
Quality Standards for the Youth Guarantee- #RomaYouth as focus The European Youth Guarantee so far failed to provide quality offers to marginalized groups, including #RomaYouth. Together with other civil society organizations, ERGO Network has contributed to a set of Quality Standards for the Youth Guarantee proposed by the European Youth Forum. The recommendation paper is
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29
Jul
ERGO Network position paper: The role of Social Economy in supporting Roma social and economic inclusion in a Covid-19 context Directly to the position paper. Europe and the world are facing an unprecedented social and economic shock, brought about by the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many Europeans have lost their incomes, their homes,
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22
Jul
QUESTIONNAIRE: The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Roma, Sinti and Traveller communities Straight to the survey. Throughout Europe, most governments have not designed or implemented specific measures to address the vulnerability of Roma, Sinti and Travellers during the coronavirus pandemic. Roma, Sinti and Travellers are amongst the most affected and impacted by Covid-19, mainly
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31
Mar
A Place for All – ERGO Network’s employment campaign ERGO Network is launching its new campaign ‘A Place for All’, shedding light on the important role that employers play in supporting the employment of Roma and other ethnic minorities, as well as on the benefits that an inclusive workforce. Roma employment – it should be
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27
Mar
European Semester: European Commission releases Winter Package What’s in it for Europe’s Roma? On 26 February 2020, the European Commission published the so-called Winter Package, comprising the 28 Country Reports 2020 (including the United Kingdom), and the usual Communication on Country Reports, in the framework of the 2020 European Semester. The European Roma Grassroots Organisations
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24
Mar
Case studies of ERGO Network members During 2019, in the framework of our EaSI funded work programme ‘Roma Included in Social Europe’ (RIISE) ERGO Network members in Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary conducted case studies to shed light on specific challenges relating to Roma integration in their countries. In Slovakia, the Roma Advocacy and Research
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17
Jan
European Commission releases Autumn Package What’s in it for Europe’s Roma? On 17 December 2019, the European Commission published the so-called Autumn Package, including the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2020 and its annex, the draft Joint Employment Report, thus marking the beginning of the 2020 European Semester. In a clear attempt to revamp the cycle,
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15
Oct
ERGO NETWORK DELEGATION OF NATIONAL MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL ACTION GROUPS MEET EUROPEAN COMMISSION DESK OFFICERS TO DISCUSS CLLD On 10 and 11 October, ERGO Network facilitated a meeting between its national members and representatives of Local Action Groups from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Romania, and the Desk Officers responsible for these countries
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03
Oct
Roma Civil Monitor partners gather at the Central European University to define the topics of the third round of civil society monitoring reports Image credit CEU / Andras Dimeny (kepszerk.hu) The year 2020 will mark the final year of the current EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies, within which Member States have developed their
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01
Oct
Roma participation in Community-Led Local Development Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) is an initiative for involving citizens at local level in developing responses to today’s social, environmental and economic challenges, and a promising tool for investing in Roma inclusion. The European Commission expects CLLD to facilitate implementing integrated approaches among the European Structural and Investment Funds
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19
Sep
New publication: Roma grassroots perspectives on poverty alleviation In 2018 in the framework of ERGO’s Annual Work Programme ‘Roma Included in Social Europe’ (RIISE), ERGO Network members from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic conducted seven comprehensive local case studies that contribute to a better understanding of the impact of National Roma Integration
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06
Dec
On 3 December 2018, ERGO Network concluded the first year of its 4-year work programme RIISE (Roma Included in Social Europe) with a panel debate discussing how Roma inclusion can be fostered through meaningful local partnerships. Emphasising the importance of Roma participation in all stages of decision-making, from the local to the European level, is
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08
Nov
Our Romanian member, Center of Resources for Social Inclusion CRIS in October organised two meetings in Ploiesti with the representatives of 10 Local Action Groups (LAG) from South-Muntenia and South-East Regions and of 2 newly established Urban Local Action Groups from Ploiesti and Campina, within the framework of the Annual Work Programme 2018 supported by
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22
Oct
The European Pillar of Social Rights and European Semester as tools for delivering Social Europe On 2 October, the European Commission’s DG Employment together with the European Centre of Expertise (ECE) in the field of Labour Law, Employment and Labour Market Policies organised a reflection with civil society on the European Pillar of Social
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22
Oct
TRANSITION FROM EDUCATION TO EMPLOYMENT FOR ROMA YOUTH – A Key step in Roma Inclusion On 25-26 September, ERGO Network policy officer Carmen Tanasie took part in an international expert Seminar of the Council of Europe Ad hoc Committee of Experts on Roma and Traveller Issues (CAHROM), focusing on the transition from education to
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22
Aug
2017 ERGO Network Annual Report ERGO Network’s annual report for 2017 is now available. Read the 2017 ERGO Annual Report and learn how ERGO Network and its members introduced and pursued numerous initiatives to fight antigypsyism and to empower Roma in 2017. In addition the annual report 2017 presents the initiatives undertaken by ERGO to ensure networking between, and
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26
Jul
ERGO Network is contracting an external consultant to prepare a report on the Sustainable Development Goals as a tool for Roma inclusion Download the complete call for an external consultant. Roma in the Sustainable Development Goals Since the universal acceptation of the Agenda 2030 in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals and their targets stimulate
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01
Jul
Call for expert ERGO Network is contracting an expert on Community-Led Local Development and Roma inclusion to coordinate part of our work programme on CLLD in 2018 Role of the expert We are searching for an expert to coordinate ERGO Network’s capacity-building and advocacy work on Roma inclusion in the CLLD in 2018, which is
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22
Mar
Regional Consultation on Youth and Human Rights kicks off in Brussels The European Youth Forum and Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) organized a Regional Consultation on Youth and Human Rights, in order to feed into a report on the same topic that will be prepared for the UN Human Rights Council later this year. ERGO Network
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17
Jan
ANTIGYPSYISM IN AUSTRIA We are happy to announce that our member from Austria Romano Centro published the third report on Antigypsyism in Austria that covers the period from November 2015 to October 2017. Like the other two publications from 2013 and 2015, this report also follows a twofold objective: 1. Awareness of the wide public
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06
Dec
European Semester 2018: Will EU Members States include Roma in their National Reform Programmes? On 22 November the European Commission launched the 2018 Autumn Package of the European Semester, the first step in the annual cycle of economic and social policy coordination between the EU Members States and the Commission. Each year, the European Commission produces
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05
Dec
Opening up Communities, Closing down Institutions: Harnessing the European Structural and Investment Funds On 22nd November 2017, ERGO Director Jamen Gabriela Hrabanova took part in an event of the initiative Community Living for Europe: Structural Funds Watch, where a report on the use of EU funds for community leaving was launched. The event took part
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28
Nov
ERGO Network asks European leaders and Member States to better invest in Roma youth employment At a panel debate organised by ERGO Network on Monday (27/11/2017) preceding the 11th Meeting of the European Platform for Roma Inclusion, European policy makers and civil society representatives discussed what is needed to better support young Roma on the
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16
Nov
ERGO member Nevo Parudimos from Romania organised its first training on Community-Led Local Development for Local Action Groups and potential CLLD beneficiaries. The training was held in cooperation with the National Federation of Local Action Groups on 15/16 November 2017 in Tecuci, Romania. The 40 participants, representing 10 LAGs from the South-East region of Romania,
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14
Nov
Investing in our future – what work(s) for young Roma ERGO Network Public event Monday 27th November, Mundo B, Brussels 09:00 – 12:30, followed by networking lunch Equality of employment opportunities for young Roma is fair and just, but also a smart economic choice: It is an effective way to improve growth prospects and respond
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09
Oct
“Investing in our future: What work(s) for young Roma?” DEADLINE EXTENDED!! Participate, compete, win, travel to Brussels and present your story at ERGO Network’s public event in November! To win, just follow three easy steps: Share either an inspiring or a challenging story with one image (photo, painting, drawing or graphic), a video or a
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05
Oct
From 18-19 September, 21 representatives of (pro) Roma NGOs met in Brussels to start their involvement in the Roma Civil Monitor, a project building the capacity of Roma civil society and strengthening their systematic involvement in the monitoring of national Roma integration strategies. The pilot project as a whole involves 91 NGOs from 27 EU
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04
Sep
In ERGO’s Summer Academy, taking place from 26 August to 2 September in Barcelona, a group of outstanding participants from across Europe joined forces to work together on a thematic campaign to raise awareness on Roma youth unemployment. The one-week long ERGO Summer Academy hosted 19 young professionals alongside the team of ERGO Network and
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15
Jun
Regional Meeting with Local Action Groups on Roma On 15 June 2017 in Ploiesti City, ERGO member “Center of Resources for Social Inclusion CRIS” organized the first Regional Meeting with representatives of 7 Local Action Groups (LAGs) from South-Muntenia Region and South-Est Region in Romania. The aim of the meeting was to present Roma interests
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13
Jun
ERGO Network is partner in Roma Civil Monitor project During the next three years, ERGO Network together with Central European University’s Centre for Policy Studies, the European Roma Rights Centre, Roma Education Fund and Fundacion Secretariado Gitano will coordinate a large-scale project with the aim to strengthen the monitoring mechanisms of the implementation of national
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19
May
Stakeholder Workshop ‘Building-up quality of life in the local area’ On May 16 Eurofound organized a stakeholder meeting on the topic ‘Building-up quality of life in the local area’. Dr. Ileana Rotaru from Nevo Parudimos and ERGO member presented the perspective of Social hubs in rural Europe: social inclusion and Roma integration. Between 2017 and
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27
Apr
Call: Monitoring of the implementation of National Roma Integration Strategies Deadline: 19th May 2017 For the next three years the European Commission undertakes a series of activities to empower the Civil Society within the Member States through capacity building and a series of trainings in order to strengthen its involvement in the monitoring of National
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20
Dec
“The inclusion of the Roma community was encouraged and evaluated through a system of indicators developed by the ERGO Network”* – a story of success Our Bulgarian member organisation Integro analysed the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) process and Roma inclusion therein. In Bulgaria the implementation of the CLLD in the 2014-2020 programming period started within
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15
Sep
Roma Regional Meeting on Roma community development in Romania Nevo Parudimos, as a member of ERGO Network, organized a working meeting on the 14th of September in Timisoara on the theme of „Local Development Strategies and the role of Roma NGO’s in their implementation”.At the meeting participated Roma NGO’s from 3 counties of the Western
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31
Jan
Social inclusion of Roma in rural areas through CLLD process Better integration of Roma people in rural areas is not only a social, but also a demographic and economic issue. The European Roma Grassroots Organization (ERGO Network) has been working actively to use bottom-up/ partnership-based approaches (such as LEADER/CLLD) as a tool to engage Roma
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