Brussels:The European Commission has released its third implementation report on the EU Roma Strategic Framework, covering achievements and ongoing challenges from June 2023 to March 2025. The report highlights advancements in Roma equality, inclusion, and participation within the European Union, while also pointing out areas that need further attention.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the report notes significant decreases in severe material deprivation among Roma people, dropping from 62% in 2016 to 37% in 2024. There has also been an increase in the proportion of young Roma engaged in employment, education, or training, rising from 38% to 53%. Housing deprivation has similarly declined from 61% to 47%, and the proportion of Roma in paid employment has increased from 43% to 54%. Despite these improvements, challenges persist, particularly in education segregation, discrimination, and poverty levels among Roma communities.

The report indicates that while progress is being made in certain areas such as employment and early childhood education, issues like segregation in education and ethnic discrimination remain largely unaddressed. Only about a third of young Roma complete upper secondary education, and nearly half of Roma children attend segregated schools. Additionally, 31% of Roma continue to experience ethnic discrimination, and 77% of Roma children are at risk of poverty.

The European Commission urges Member States to increase their efforts to achieve the 2030 targets of the EU Roma Strategic Framework, emphasizing the need for stronger institutional capacity, better coordination, and integrated policies. The EU continues to support these efforts through the European Social Fund+, allocating approximately £1.8 billion for targeted interventions in marginalized communities, including Roma, across 15 Member States from 2021 to 2027.

The EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation 2020-2030 introduced EU headline quantitative targets for 2030, complemented by the Council Recommendation of March 2021. The framework aims to foster equality and inclusion through national Roma strategic frameworks, supported by various EU initiatives, directives, and funding. The next implementation report is anticipated in 2028, continuing the monitoring of progress in Roma rights across the Union.