In October 2024, the European Commission released a comprehensive report evaluating the implementation of the first-ever EU Anti-Racism Action Plan 2020-2025 and the national action plans against racism and discrimination.
This plan, the fist-ever at EU level, was adopted in September 2020 is of key relevance for Roma equality and inclusion. It recellad that racial discrimination continues to be a scourge, with negative effects on the whole of society. For the EU, discrimination on racial on racial or ethnic grounds is not only explicitly prohibited by legislation but it is a violation of our common values, our open and democratic socieity and of the rule of law. The plan is a key initiatuve of the EC to step up the fight againstr racism and racial discrimination acrss the EU and beyond.
This report:
- Provides an overview of the progress achieved in the implementation of the action plan and the national plans developped
- Offers guidance to Member States on the development and implementation of effective national action plans against racism, following the structure of the action plan.
The outcome of this report will be a relevant source of information for the current process of elaboration of the new Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030, and the related consultation process.
Key progress areas include:
- Legislation and Rights Enforcement: Enhanced monitoring of the Racial Equality Directive has led to infringement procedures against Member States, such as Slovakia for segregated schooling of Roma children. Strengthened mandates for national equality bodies now empower them to better assist victims and enforce anti-discrimination laws.
- Addressing Hate and Institutional Discrimination: The report stresses the importance of building trust in law enforcement, which has been undermined by incidents of racial profiling and excessive use of force. The Commission supports training for police forces to prevent discriminatory practices and urges Member States to intensify these efforts.
- Access to Basic Rights: Vulnerable groups like Roma face significant barriers in employment, education, health, and housing. The report acknowledges steps such as the Council Recommendation on Roma equality and the European Education Area’s initiatives, though it notes ongoing challenges like school segregation and early school leaving among Roma children.
- Data and Structural Racism: The Commission advocates for harmonized collection of ethnicity-related data to better understand and tackle structural racism, despite some Member States’ reluctance to collect such data.
- National Anti-Racism Action Plans: Eleven Member States have adopted dedicated national plans, while others incorporate anti-racism measures into broader social or human rights policies. Challenges remain due to limited dedicated funding and insufficient involvement of affected communities.
- Local and Regional Mobilization: Initiatives such as the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism and the Urban Agenda for Equality support local efforts to combat racism on the ground.
- EU Funding: ERDF and ESF+ programs are funding different initiatives and projects promoting inclusion and anti-racism, with particular focus on marginalized groups including Roma communities.
- International Cooperation: The EU aligns its internal and external anti-racism policies through partnerships with organizations such as the UN, Council of Europe, and OECD, and promotes universal ratification of key anti-racism treaties.
- Civil Society Engagement: The Commission has strengthened collaboration with civil society, establishing a Permanent Anti-Racism Civil Society Forum and appointing a dedicated Anti-Racism Coordinator to oversee plan implementation.
Challenges and future action
While it is considered that the EU’s first anti-racism action plan has triggered the adoption of national action plans against racism and advanced the debate on the tackling of racism in all its forms, including its structural dimension, several challenges remain and would require further action:
- Since the adoption of the action plan, several crises lead to increased racism, xenophobia and hatred against different groups. Available data, which is still scarce, shows the prevalence of
individual and structural racism still today. Stakeholders confirmed that the situation of people facing racism has not improved. To foster a society free from racism, discrimination
and inequality, the Commission, in a joint effort with Member States and other relevant stakeholders, must step up efforts to tackle all forms of racism. - The collection of reliable and comparable data on equality including indicators on racial and ethnic origin is key to shedding light on racist and discriminatory patterns, and structures. It is therefore important that Member States further improve the collection of equality data at all territorial levels and urge all stakeholders to cooperate in the collection of data for equality and non-discrimination purposes by emphasising that safeguards are in place when collecting sensitive data and that such data is solely collected in the interest of improving the situation of people impacted by racial and ethnic discrimination.
- Work as regards law enforcemet officials and policing. Need to address The Commission will continue to engage with CEPOL, FRA and the European Border and
Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to develop and offer training for law enforcement officials on unconscious bias and will work closely with Member States to support national efforts to
guarantee fair and non-discriminatory policing. - It is imperative to carry forward the momentum and continue to strengthen the policies, practices, and initiatives that have proven effective, notably in light of the worsening incidence of racial discrimination.
The fight against racism requires determination and long-term commitment. - Advancements are achieved by mainstreaming anti-racism across different policies and by creating dedicated structures and mechanisms to tackle racism. The action plan emphasised
close collaboration between the Commission and all stakeholders. The regular dialogue with civil society has proven to be a key partnership. Through this meaningful engagement,
the Commission has gained invaluable insights from civil society organisations at the forefront of the fight against racism.
Further information
- Report on the implementation of the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025 and on national action plans against racism and discrimination
- European Commission consultation on future EU anti-racism action strategy
- European Commission dedicated website on EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025
