Integration of Roma stalled by EU financial climate, study finds

Roma ghetto in Varna, Hungary

A report on the conditions faced by the Roma population across six EU countries has found that the current financial climate across the EU is having direct and indirect impacts on the integration and life chances of Roma; who are the largest ethnic minority in Europe.

Partnered in the UK by the University of Salford and comprising teams in Greece, Spain, Italy, Hungary and Bulgaria, the Roma SOURCE project has so far found wide-ranging effects of austerity on the living standards of the 10 million Roma across the continent.

In the interim report, published to coincide with International Roma Day (Sunday 8 April), the researchers found that across Europe, Roma had lower levels of health and education than the general population and that during tougher economic times prejudice against them was on the rise.

Specifically, the report notes that: “Disadvantages faced by Roma in the paid labour market are unlikely to improve dramatically in the near future given the significant and rising unemployment levels that are a feature of the ongoing financial crisis that is impacting on many European nations.

“The attention focused upon Roma populations by European institutions and organisations appears to offer ways to address long standing inequalities for Roma. This process appears challenging and slow and is further complicated by broader pressures upon EU states as a result of recent and ongoing financial turmoil.”

The report also notes the differing political attitudes to Roma across Europe.  Whilst in Hungary there are currently a number of Roma MPs, in other countries – including the UK – politicians have used negative Roma stereotypes to boost their own popularity. 

The report concludes that there is an urgent need for hugely improved health care, training and education among Roma communities and that by greater awareness of cultural practices across all communities, discrimination could be reduced significantly.

Salford’s Dr Phil Brown, one of the authors of the report, said: “While it’s well established that Roma across Europe have lower education, health and employment, this report comprehensively establishes current practice across member states.

“It is clear that in times of financial hardship, those communities which have disadvantages in terms of knowledge, health and perception are going to suffer most.”

The next step for the Roma Source project is to form mixed focus groups of Roma and non-Roma to carry out interviews in the target countries.  A final report will be published in early 2013.

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