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Private area
European Network on Social Inclusion and Roma under the Structural Funds
Structural Funds: Investing in Roma
Private area
European Network on Social Inclusion and Roma under the Structural Funds
Structural Funds: Investing in Roma
Finland's Roma are a linguistic and cultural minority who have lived in the country for over 500 years. There are an estimated 10,000 Roma in Finland and about 3,000 living in Sweden. The majority of Roma live in the cities of southern and western Finland, though there are Roma communities throughout the country. Like other Finns, most Roma belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Some are also active members of the Pentecostal Movement and other nonconformist Christian denominations.
Finnish policy concerning minorities started to change at the end of the 1970s, with the enactment of the first anti-discrimination legislation. The assimilation policy of the early part of the century was abandoned and special measures were introduced to improve the economic, educational and social position of the Roma and Sami.
On average, the Roma are in a weaker economic and social position compared to other Finns. In the past, the Roma tended to be wary of education, as schools were one of the means used to assimilate them into the majority population. The constant lack of housing, too, made it difficult for decades for the Roma to attend schools. During the 1990s they began to take a more positive view of education and this has been influenced by the growing strength of Romani language and culture in Finnish society. State backing for the learning of Romani language and culture started in 1980s.
Despite their equal status, the Roma have yet to achieve full equality in Finland. They continue to experience discrimination in their everyday lives.
The position of the Roma has nevertheless improved due to the combined efforts of the authorities and the Roma themselves.
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (2004): Finland's Romani People. Helsinki, Finland.
