On 22 February, Equinet organised an online roundtable, bringing together the European Commission, Member State representatives, civil society representatives and equality bodies. The roundtable followed the publication in October 2020 of the new EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation that puts a strong emphasis on the involvement of equality bodies.
The primary objective of the roundtable was to discuss and identify ways to improve cooperation between equality bodies, national authorities and civil society in light of the new EU Roma Strategic Framework. Furthermore, it aimed to:
- Increase awareness of equality bodies about the EU Strategic Framework;
- Enable equality bodies to exchange insights regarding their involvement in the development and monitoring of the national Roma strategic frameworks and EU funding for Roma equality, and discuss ways to strengthen their contribution;
- Develop a common understanding of each participant’s roles and challenges; and
- Help the coordination of different actors to ensure more effective implementation of the EU Roma Strategic Framework.
Find the summary of the roundtable’s discussions here in our synthesis report!
Presentations
- Andrea Bučková, Head of the government plenipotentiary for Roma communities (National
Roma Contact Point), Slovakia - Susanne Pfanner, Head of the Austrian National Roma Contact Point’s Office, Federal
Chancellery, Austria - Hristina Petkova, Policy officer, Non-discrimination and Roma coordination unit of
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST), European Commission - Andrey Ivanov, Project Manager, Roma Integration, Technical Assistance and Capacity
Building Unit, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) - Elena Iordănescu, Public manager, Ministry of Investments and European Funds (National
Roma Contact Point), Romania
Further information
Read the agenda and concept note here
Read the Equinet Perspective “Roma and Traveller Inclusion: Towards a new EU framework learning from the work of Equality Bodies” (July 2020)
Should you have any questions about this event, please do not hesitate to contact Daris Lewis Recio, Equinet’s Policy Assistant (daris.lewis@equineteurope.org).