EUROMA+ Network learnings and proposals shared with Commission Expert Group on ESI Funds

The knowledge gained within the Network on the use of ESI Funds for Roma inclusion in the 2007-2013 programming period and proposals for a more effective use in the 2014-2020 period were shared with representatives of the public authorities responsible for these funds in all Member States.

On 14th July the EURoma + Network Technical Secretariat was invited to share the work undertaken by the Network with the European Commission Expert Group on European Structural and Investment Funds (EGESIF).

Particular attention was paid to the main findings and conclusions of the analysis undertaken in the context of the initiatives of the Network on the use of European Structural and Investment Funds for Roma inclusion both in the current programming period (2007-2013) and in the upcoming one (2014-2020), focusing on the lessons learnt in the 2007-2013 period and how they can be used to achieve a more efficient use of ESIF in the 2014-2020 period.
The European Commission Expert Group on European Structural and Investment Funds (EGESIF) gathers representatives of the public authorities responsible for the Funds in all Member States. The Group’s tasks include to provide advice to the Commission on issues related to the implementation of the Funds as well as to serve as a platform to ensure coordination and establish cooperation between Member State authorities and the Commission on implementation issues and to exchange of experience and encourage good practice.

Presenting the work and learnings of the Network to this Expert Group was therefore an excellent opportunity to share with relevant actors in the planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of the funds, key messages and proposals to achieve a higher impact of ESIF for Roma inclusion in the upcoming programming period.

About the EURoma+ Network

The European Social Fund (ESF) Learning Network “Reinforcing policy learning for Roma inclusion” (also referred to as ‘EURoma+ Network’ or ‘ESF Roma Inclusion Network’) aimed to promote, through transnational cooperation, higher political commitment for the planning process of the 2014-2020 programming period and ensuring that the lessons learnt during the 2007-2013 programming period were incorporated as policy decisions in the new programming period.
Led, and co-financed, by the Spanish ESF Managing Authority (Ministry of Employment and Social Security), the Network has gathered representatives of the ESF Managing Authorities and National Roma Contact Points from 8 Member States (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovak Republic and Spain) together with European Commission representatives. The Network Technical Secretariat was hosted by the Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG).
The Network has reinforced and complemented, by supporting specifically the planning process of the 2014-2020 period, the work of the

European Network on Social Inclusion and Roma under the Structural Funds (EURoma Network),

which since 2007 promotes a better use of Structural Funds to foster the effectiveness of the policies aimed at the inclusion of the Roma population.