The 2017 European Platform for Roma inclusion took place on 27 and 28 November 2017 and was dedicated to the challenges related to the transition of Roma from education to employment. The event, which saw the participation of Eurodiaconia, brought together once a year all the stakeholders involved in the Roma integration process at European, national and regional/local level.

Roma remain heavily underrepresented in the labour market, with high numbers of people being unemployed. Young Roma (15-24 years) are strongly affected, and a high share of them is neither in employment nor following post-compulsory education or training. The combination of various factors, such as poverty and deprivation, low level of education and skills, discrimination in both education and employment constitute serious structural labour market barriers for Roma.

Kick-off speakers and workshop participants discussed conditions for successful transition from education to employment and actions necessary to put them in place at European, national and regional/local level. Workshop rapporteurs then presented these messages emerging from the workshops to two high-level political panels.

Eurodiaconia will soon publish its new policy paper on Roma inclusion. Building on member priorities and observations, this policy paper aims to respond to the Commission’s Midterm-Review of the EU Framework on National Roma Integration Strategies, reflecting Eurodiaconia members’ position and experiences in the field of Roma inclusion.

To learn more about the outcomes of the 2017 European Platform for Roma inclusion, read the report