Brussels:The European Commission has released its third implementation report on the EU Roma Strategic Framework, detailing progress and ongoing challenges in advancing Roma equality, inclusion, and participation across the European Union. Covering the period from June 2023 to March 2025, the report highlights significant improvements in several areas while also addressing persistent issues that hinder true equality for Roma communities.
According to European Commission - Lebanon, the report indicates progress in employment, early childhood education and care, and national coordination of Roma equality and inclusion policies. Notably, severe material deprivation among Roma has decreased from 62% in 2016 to 37% in 2024, and the proportion of young Roma in employment, education, or training has increased from 38% to 53%.
Despite these advancements, the report underscores ongoing challenges, including educational segregation, overcrowding, and the gender work gap. It notes that only a third of Roma youth complete upper secondary education, with nearly half attending segregated schools. Furthermore, 31% of Roma continue to experience ethnic discrimination, and poverty and social exclusion rates remain high.
The Commission calls on Member States to enhance efforts to meet the 2030 targets, emphasizing the need for stronger institutional capacity, better coordination, and integrated policies. Support from the European Social Fund+, with €1.8 billion allocated for interventions in marginalized communities, is highlighted as a crucial element in these efforts.
The EU Roma Strategic Framework for 2020–2030, complemented by the Council Recommendation of March 2021, sets quantitative targets and encourages national frameworks. The Commission plans to continue monitoring progress, with the next report expected in 2028.
