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European Network on Social Inclusion and Roma under the Structural Funds
Structural Funds: Investing in Roma
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European Network on Social Inclusion and Roma under the Structural Funds
Structural Funds: Investing in Roma
This is the main commitment of the “Trio” in the so-called Córdoba Declaration, adopted at the Second European Summit on Actions and Policies in Favour of the Roma Population, held in Córdoba and attended by more than 400 delegates.
The “Trio” warned that the "discrimination" and "social rejection" suffered by a “significant” number of European Roma is worsening their situation, especially for women and children.
In order to ensure that current EU financial instruments have an "effective impact" on Roma living conditions, the “Trio” is suggesting that the awarding of funds by the Union include minimum requirements, and is calling for funding award procedures to be "simplified" in order to guarantee equal opportunities.
Modifying the regulations of the European Social Fund and the Regional Development Fund would put into practice the three principles the Union is working towards: promotion of equality in access to resources, eradication of segregation and guaranteed overall development.
The “Trio” is also committed to improve the design of a "roadmap" for the European Platform for Roma Inclusion, setting out a medium-term framework for action and defining the objectives and results to be achieved.
It is also calling for strengthening horizontal cooperation between the Member States and civil society, and the need to take specific actions to tackle social exclusion.
Spain's Minister of Equality, Bibiana Aído, bringing the summit to a close, condemned outbreaks of racism and the "all-too-frequent disagreements" between the EU and this minority, who have been treated as "objects rather than subjects" in social policies.
The European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor, also spoke out against discrimination against Roma, pointing out that, due to the economic crisis, their situation has deteriorated because there is "great pressure on the finances of social policies".
Coinciding with the clossing session of the summit meeting, the Spanish Government approved an Action Plan to promote development among the Roma population, with 107 million euros to be invested by 2012 to devise strategies against discrimination in Spain.
Source: EU Spanish presidency link
