This year, in a joint statement, European Commission representatives — Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, and Commissioner Marta Kos — reminded us that the Romani people have been an integral part of Europe’s cultural fabric for over seven centuries. Yet, they continue to face discrimination and exclusion that stand in stark contrast to the core values of the European Union.
Roma in the EU: A Promise of Equality Still Unfulfilled
Twelve Million Voices Still Unheard
The Roma are the largest ethnic minority in Europe, with a population estimated between 10 and 12 million — around 6 million of whom are EU citizens. Yet their everyday reality often strays far from the ideals the Union proclaims.
Despite the EU’s foundation on principles of equality and human rights, Roma communities continue to be denied those very rights. The reasons? Entrenched prejudice, systemic exclusion, and lack of access to basic services such as clean water and adequate nutrition.
The disparity between the Roma and the broader EU population is striking — from education to employment, housing to healthcare. An alarming 80% of Roma in the EU are at risk of poverty, compared to just 17% of the general population.
A Decade-Long Plan — But Will It Deliver?
To address these inequalities, the European Commission launched the EU Roma Strategic Framework 2030 in 2020 — a roadmap with clear goals for both Member States and candidate countries.
Among its priorities are reducing the poverty gap, improving housing conditions, and tackling the educational segregation of Roma children. Though the strategy also extends beyond the EU to the Western Balkans and Turkey, its success hinges on one crucial factor: the commitment of national governments.
The Commission has urged countries to speed up the implementation of their national Roma integration plans. Without genuine political will, sustained funding, and concrete actions, the strategy risks remaining a well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective document.
Education, Health, Employment — The Realities of Roma Life
Despite efforts and support from European funding instruments — including the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) — the gap between Roma communities and the rest of society remains vast.
Many Roma children still attend segregated schools or classes. Adequate housing is often out of reach. Access to healthcare remains limited, and exclusion from the labour market persists.
The EU continues to call for stronger action — but it also stresses that Roma must be at the heart of this change. Representation in political, social, and public life remains minimal. Yet no one is better placed to advocate for the Roma than Roma themselves.
Remembering Forgotten Crimes, Reviving Collective Memory
Historical and educational initiatives are also key components of the Commission’s efforts. Through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, the EU funds projects that commemorate Roma Holocaust victims, combat anti-Gypsyism, and support Roma civil society organisations.
Initiatives like ROMACT, EQUIROM, and RomaMemory aim to restore the dignity and visibility of Roma heritage and history.
Annual events like Roma Week at the European Parliament — held this year for the eighth time from April 7 to 10 — symbolize solidarity with the Roma people, while also underscoring the work that remains unfinished.
Ukraine, the Balkans, Turkey — Roma Beyond the EU
The Roma population extends well beyond the EU’s borders. Around 4 million Roma live in EU candidate countries such as Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey. Ukraine alone is home to an estimated 400,000 Roma, according to the World Union of Roma and the Council of Europe.
These communities are not excluded from EU efforts. The Roma Integration Phase III project supports governments in aligning their strategies with the EU model to accelerate integration.
But progress demands more than just funding — it requires lasting political will and societal transformation. Combating deeply rooted anti-Gypsyism calls for education, courage, and long-term engagement.
April 8 commemorates the first World Roma Congress, held in 1971, which laid the foundation for a shared Roma identity rooted in common language, history, and culture. The date has since become a symbol of unity and pride — but also a reminder of how much work remains.
More than 50 years later, Roma people are still waiting for true equality. The European Commission does not underestimate the challenge — the road ahead is long.
But every step counts. Every school that welcomes Roma children, every policy crafted with their needs in mind, every social or cultural initiative — brings us closer to a Europe where no one is left behind.
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