Networking

ERGO is a strong network of like-minded organisations from across Europe who come together to share experiences, learn from each other, create new ideas and develop common approaches. At the same time, we create networks with other partners to work on common issues and have a stronger voice together – both on European and on national level. Civil society is strongest when we form alliances, learn from and inspire each other and co-create social change.

Key Activities

European networks

ERGO Network is a sought out partner on the topic of Roma inclusion in Brussels, due to its expertise combining the experiences of the grassroots level with strong knowledge on EU policy processes. We engage in all Roma-related policy processes at EU level through taking part in civil society dialogues, consultation processes, lobbying decision-makers and providing knowledge and expertise in our own and partners’ events.

Alliance against Antigypsyism

The Alliance against Antigypsyism is an occasional coalition of organisations that promote equality of rights for Roma. The aim of the alliance is to advance a better understanding of antigypsyism. It is the author of the Reference Paper on Antigypsyism, coordinates advocacy efforts and regularly publishes policy papers.

National coalitions

ERGO Network supports its members in their national advocacy work to push for a better implementation of National Roma Integration Strategies and combatting antigypsyism. In many countries, ERGO members facilitate national coalitions of Roma NGOs in order to be stronger in their advocacy and share the work with partner organisations.

Networking news

Feb

Is the internet available and safe for Roma?

Is the internet available and safe for Roma? Throughout the last years, Safer Internet Day on 9 February has become an important event, addressing the issues of online safety and digital dignity. From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current

Feb

World Social Forum 2021

Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) and the pandemic, its impact and mitigation measures On 26 January, ERGO Network was part of the seminar ‘Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) and the Pandemic, its impact and Mitigation Measures’ under the banner of the World Social Forum 2021. This year, before the background

Dec

Recommendations for national strategic Roma frameworks

Recommendations for the national strategic frameworks under the new EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation On 7 October 2020, the European Commission published a Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on the new Strategic Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation for 2020-2030. The new framework is replacing the previous

Dec

ERGO’s monitoring of the European Semester

ERGO Network continues its monitoring of the European Semester and meets the cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmidt The European Semester had a surprise early start this year, with the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy (ASGS) released two months earlier than expected, in September 2020. This year’s document is driven by an overriding impetus to fight the

Dec

Child Guarantee and the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child

ERGO Network response to the European Commission public consultations on the Child Guarantee and the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child 2021-2027 The European Commission will be proposing, in 2021, a Child Guarantee and a Strategy on the Rights of the Child, two instruments specifically designed to improve the lives and wellbeing of

Dec

ERGO response to public consultation on the Social Pillar Action Plan

How to ensure that the European Pillar of Social Rights delivers on Roma equality, inclusion, and participation? ERGO Network responds to the European Commission public consultation on the Social Pillar Action Plan In 2017, the European Union broke new ground by adopting the European Pillar of Social Rights (Social Pillar), the first set of social

Nov

Social Economy and Roma Inclusion in times of Covid-19

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

Nov

Meeting with Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit

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

Nov

Reinforced Youth Guarantee – will Roma youth be included?

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

Oct

European Commission releases Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy

European Commission releases Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy (ASGS) 2021 – What’s in it for Europe’s Roma? On 17 September 2020, the European Commission published the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021, accompanied by two annexes, namely the Guidance to Member States on Recovery and Resilience Plans and the Commission Staff Working document, template, Recovery and Resilience Plans.

Oct

Civil Society calls upon Member States to step up implementation of new EU Framework

European Coalition of Roma and pro-Roma Civil Society calls upon Member States to step up the implementation of new EU Roma Strategic Framework Brussels, 12 October 2020 – CSOs call on the European Commission to ensure that commitments made under the new EU Strategic Framework on Roma are held at the highest standards, and

Oct

EU Child Guarantee: Don’t leave Roma children behind

Input to the European Commission consultation on the Roadmap for a Council Recommendation for a Child Guarantee The European Commission will be proposing a Child Guarantee in 2021, an instrument specifically designed to tackle the situation of children in need. The Child Guarantee is meant to ensure that all children in Europe who are at

Sep

UN Side event on discrimination based on work and descent

UN Side event on discrimination based on work and descent Since 2019, as a consequence of ERGO Network’s work on the Sustainable Development Goals for Roma inclusion, ERGO Director Gabriela Hrabanova works together with the Global Forum on Discrimination on Work and Descent (GFoD), the Asia Dalit Rights Forum and other global minority organisations to

Sep

Digital High-Level Conference

Digital High-Level Conference on the new Strategic EU Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Roma until 2030 Instead of the traditional “EU Roma Platform”, the German EU Presidency and the European Commission will organize on the 12 October the “Digital High-Level Conference on the new Strategic EU Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of

Sep

Overdue action against racism by the European Union

PRESS STATEMENT Overdue action against racism by the European Union Brussels 23 September 2020: The European Coalition of Roma and pro-Roma organisations welcomes the adoption of an Action Plan against Racism by the European Commission, providing a framework to address structural racism in the EU, including antigypsyism. The Action Plan recognizes the structural dimension of

Sep

ERGO meets EC desk officers

ERGO members meet European Commission desk officers On 10 September 2020, the European Roma Grassroots Organisations (ERGO) Network facilitated an online exchange meeting between its national members in 5 key countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia) and their counterparts in the country desks of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) and DG

Sep

Call for revised Council Recommendation on Roma

In the context of the adoption of the new EU Strategic Framework on Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation by the European Commission, ERGO Network has sent a letter to the European Council, the German EU Presidency and the European Commission to call for the adoption of a revised Council Recommendation on Roma under the German

Jul

The role of Social Economy in supporting Roma social and economic inclusion

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,

Jul

ERGO Network’s Response to the Country-Specific Recommendations

European Semester: European Commission releases Spring Package 2020 What’s in it for Europe’s Roma? On 20 May 2020, the European Commission published the so-called Spring Package, comprising the 28 Country-Specific Recommendations 2020 (including the United Kingdom), and the accompanying Communication on Country-Specific Recommendations, in the framework of the 2020 European Semester. Together with its national

May

Roma equality as part of the EU accession process

Civil society letter addressing Roma equality as part of the EU accession process and the EU response to the Covid-19 pandemic to Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement On behalf of a European coalition of Roma and pro-Roma organizations, we call upon you and the European Commission to prioritise the fundamental rights and