The Irish programme includes a number of policy areas with potential implications for Roma equality, inclusion and participation, including anti-poverty measures, housing, the European Child Guarantee, non-discrimination, cohesion policy and negotiations on the EU’s future long-term budget
Under the motto “Ní neart go cur le chéile – Strength with unity”, Ireland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026, launching a six-month programme centred on competitiveness, security, European values and institutional priorities. Alongside economic and geopolitical issues, the programme also addresses social cohesion, equality, inclusion and fundamental rights.
For Roma communities across Europe, the Presidency may be particularly relevant because the programme explicitly refers to support for the implementation of the EU Strategic Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020–2030.
One of the central issues during the Irish Presidency will be discussions on the forthcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, which will establish the EU’s budgetary framework for the next programming period. Ireland identifies these negotiations as a cross-cutting priority and notes the importance of ensuring continued support for major EU policies, including Cohesion Policy.
European funding remains an important mechanism for financing initiatives related to social inclusion, education, employment, anti-discrimination measures, housing and inclusive local development.
Equality, non-discrimination and Roma rights
The Irish programme includes a specific focus on the development of the Union of Equality. Ireland intends to advance discussions on the European equality framework and seek progress within the Council on the proposed directive concerning the implementation of the principle of equal treatment.
The programme also underlines the role of EU action on equality, rights and non-discrimination. In this context, it specifically refers to Traveller and Roma communities, stating that the Presidency will promote knowledge exchange on equal rights and safe environments while supporting implementation of the European Strategic Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation.
Another issue identified in the programme is further work on equality data, which plays a significant role in the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies. Improvements in the collection and analysis of such data may contribute to a better understanding of the forms of multiple and intersecting discrimination experienced by many Roma people, particularly women, children, young people, persons with disabilities and families living in poverty.
Poverty reduction and the European Pillar of Social Rights
The Presidency’s social agenda includes measures aimed at reducing the number of people at risk of poverty and strengthening social inclusion across the European Union. The programme also acknowledges that social exclusion disproportionately affects unemployed people, single-parent families, migrant communities, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities.
These issues are linked to ongoing work related to the European Pillar of Social Rights, which provides an important framework for discussions on poverty reduction and social inclusion within the EU. In this context, the situation of Roma communities remains relevant to broader European anti-poverty efforts.
Housing, residential exclusion and homelessness
Housing policy will also feature prominently during the Presidency. Following the publication of the European Anti-Poverty Strategy, work is expected to begin on the proposed Council Recommendation on combating residential exclusion.
Residential exclusion is understood as the inability to access or maintain adequate and stable housing within the European Union. Particular attention will be given to people living in insecure or inadequate housing situations, as well as measures designed to prevent and address homelessness.
The planned Recommendation is particularly relevant for Roma communities given the persistence, in many Member States, of issues such as housing deprivation, segregated settlements, forced evictions, barriers to accessing rental housing and discriminatory practices within housing markets.
Several related events will take place in Dublin during the semester. These include the informal meeting of housing ministers on 25–26 November 2026 and the ministerial meeting on homelessness and the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness, scheduled for 25–27 November 2026. Both meetings will address topics connected to the European housing agenda, the European Plan for Affordable Housing and responses to housing exclusion.
European Child Guarantee: implications for Roma children
Children and child poverty are also included among the Irish Presidency’s social priorities. The programme notes that social investment and measures addressing child poverty can have long-term social and economic effects. It also supports strengthening the European Child Guarantee, with the aim of improving conditions and outcomes for disadvantaged children and enhancing support for parenting.
This area is particularly significant for Roma children, who continue in many Member States to experience higher rates of poverty, school segregation, barriers to early childhood education and care, inadequate housing conditions and difficulties in accessing essential services.
The meeting of European Child Guarantee coordinators, due to take place in Dublin on 24–25 September 2026, will focus on family support, participation in early childhood education and care, and future developments of the Child Guarantee.
In addition, the High-Level Conference on the participation of children and young people in difficult circumstances, scheduled for 30–31 July 2026 in Dublin, may provide an opportunity to discuss approaches that incorporate the perspectives of Roma children into the design of policies, services and practices that affect them directly.
Cohesion policy, territorial development and EU funding
The informal meeting of ministers responsible for cohesion policy, to be held in Dublin on 14–15 September 2026, will represent an important stage in discussions on the future design and financing of the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.
Cohesion Policy remains a central EU instrument for addressing social, economic and territorial disparities between regions.
The Irish programme highlights the importance of place-based approaches, stronger local capacities and multi-level governance structures involving cities, regions, social partners and other stakeholders.
From a Roma perspective, these discussions are particularly relevant because many inequalities affecting Roma communities have a strong territorial dimension, including segregated neighbourhoods, excluded settlements, rural areas with limited services, concentrations of urban poverty and unequal access to education and employment opportunities.
For this reason, the future shape of Cohesion Policy and new EU financial instruments will be closely connected to how equality, inclusion and participation objectives concerning Roma communities are incorporated into future funding and policy frameworks.
The European Roma Platform and civil society participation
The European Roma Platform will take place during the Irish Presidency, on 5 November 2026.
Several of the Presidency’s priorities intersect with the objectives of the European Strategic Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation, including equality, non-discrimination, poverty reduction, housing, children’s rights, territorial cohesion, democratic participation and the use of European funds.
The European Roma Platform continues to serve as a forum for dialogue among EU institutions, national governments, international organisations and Roma civil society organisations.
Key events for the coming six-month period
- 5–6 July 2026, Mayo: informal meeting of ministers for Employment and Social Affairs.
- 30–31 July 2026, Dublin: High-Level Conference on the participation of children and young people in difficult circumstances.
- 9 September 2026, Dublin: High-Level Conference on Equality.
- 14–15 September 2026, Dublin: informal meeting of ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy.
- 24–25 September 2026, Dublin: meeting of European Child Guarantee coordinators.
- 25 September 2026, Dublin: meeting of the Urban Development Group.
- 5 November, Dublin. Rome Platform.
- 22–23 November 2026, Kerry: informal meeting of ministers for equality.
- 25–26 November 2026, Dublin: informal meeting of ministers responsible for housing.
- 25–27 November 2026, Dublin: ministerial meeting on homelessness and the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness.
Further information
Programme of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
