1.        ROMA MAPPING

(content, source of data, goal, etc.)

LATVIA: There is no large-scale targeted Roma mapping in Latvia, because Roma group is too small for such quantitative mapping. In addition, Roma people usually don’t put their ethnicity in the passport or ID card that make a problem to monitor and map their social and economic situation. A qualitative study is an effective way to get broad picture of Roma situation in key areas. In Latvia such qualitative study is conducted once every five years.

There is a regular monitoring of Roma situation in main areas (education and unemployment level; school attendance) and the annual report conducted by the Ministry of Culture (NRCP), based on statistical data provided by different governmental, local governmental institutions and Roma NGOs and non-Roma NGOs. All reports available on the Ministry’s website https://www.km.gov.lv/lv/integracija-un-sabiedriba/romi/dokumenti

ESTONIA: The reliable and comprehensive data can be collected through regular Population and Housing Censuses, as - according to an Official Statistics Act - answering is compulsory for all Estonian residents. It is not possible to get sufficient number of respondents (the total number of Roma in Estonia is 655) with corresponding profile to participate in special surveys. Until 2017, the largest number of Roma respondents was 14. In 2018, the Ministry of Culture conducted a survey among Estonian Roma where 59 respondents participated. This was possible because the Roma activists found the respondents and carried out according to written and oral guidance of competent researchers all interviews by themselves. Still, as the respondents were not found randomly, the results cannot be generalised.

FINLAND: Finland collects no ethnicity data (personal data act).

A targeted population study, “Roma wellbeing study” mentioned above, was carried out by the National institute for Health and Welfare. Roma study offers a database for Finnish Roma health monitoring www.thl.fi/roosa 

GEORGIA: Data from the national census

LITHUANIA Statistical data about the situation of Roma national minority is gained from census (last held in 2011) and from sociological surveys. Last sociological survey on situation of Roma in education, housing, health care and employment was conducted in 2015.

NORWAY: Norwegian authorities, for historical and other reasons, do not keep a register based on ethnicity.

2.        ROMA MEDIATION MECHANISM IN PLACE, IF ANY

 (school, employment , health or community mediators, institutionalised or not, form of employment- state or NGO, stable or project-to project, etc.)

LATVIA First measures on Roma mediation practice at the local level were developed and implemented by NGO “Centre for Education Initiatives” in 2014/2015[1] with five Roma mediators employed.

Since 2017 there are trainings and support measures for Roma mediators provided at the municipal level in order to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between Roma families, municipality agencies and their representatives (social workers, teachers, employment mentors)[2]. Main task of the Roma mediator is facilitating dialogue and improving cooperation between Roma families and municipality institutions and their representatives (social workers, teachers, employment mentors etc.).

During the project five Roma activists (all Roma women) are trained as Roma mediators for working at the local level. Training was provided by the expert NGO “Centre for Education Initiatives”.

Before the Roma mediators started to work at the local level the representatives of the Ministry of Culture have visited local authorities and discussed on possible support for Roma mediators during their practice on the ground. In the result of these discussions authorities have agreed that if the results of Roma mediation practices are evaluated as positive and needed, authorities will consider the possibility to employ and support Roma mediators officially. Roma mediators worked during the period October 2017 – May 2018 (8 months) in Jelgava, Dobele, Rīga, Valmiera and Ventspils city. They cooperated with 134 disadvantaged Roma families and provided assistance to more than 170 Roma persons. Local government’ representatives who cooperated with the Roma mediators stated that the mediator helped them to improve dialogue with Roma families and to find appropriate solutions for solving many problems, as well as to inform about the most urgent needs of the Roma and the characteristics of traditional Roma culture. Moreover, mediators facilitated Roma access to municipal services, European Social Fund support programs, as well as prevented drop-out rates of Roma pupils in schools. In addition, Roma mediators motivated Roma parents to use the possibility to participate in EU ESF supporting measures, for instance, in the program “Support for reducing early school leaving”. Some Roma mediators have organised activities at the local level which are aimed at the provision of intercultural dialogue between Roma and mainstream society. 

There is also an evaluation of the Roma mediators’ work, which is completed by the mentor for Roma mediators. Mentor provided immediate feedback on Roma mediators request for information, advice or support, and ensured the mentoring of their work in cooperation with the municipality institutions and Roma families where it is necessary. Every Roma mediator has prepared a monthly report on the work done. Roma mediators did their mediation work taking into account Individual Working Plan and Guidelines. Guidelines include the main goals and tasks for Roma mediators, as well as ethics, communication, confidentiality and human rights issues, list of useful contacts of institution and experts.

More information available on the website of the Ministry of Culture https://www.km.gov.lv/lv/integracija-un-sabiedriba/romi/projekti-un-pasakumi/latvijas-romu-platforma-ii/atbalsts-romu-mediatoriem

Practice exchange and evaluation meeting for mediators and representatives of municipality agencies was held in Riga on 17th May 2018. During the seminar the results of Roma mediation work were presented and discussed, as well as the best practices and challenges were shared between specialists from municipalities, Roma mediators and activists.

There were 10 meetings (advocacy meetings) of project manager, Roma mediators and representatives of local municipality held during the activity implementation – 2 meetings in each municipality during the project.

Support for Roma mediators at the local level is foreseen in the next Latvian Roma Platform project.

The Ministry of Culture work on institutionalization of Roma mediation practice at the local level. At the moment two municipalities plan to support financially Roma mediators in their cities.

In Jelgava, Daugavpils, Limbaži and Viļķene cities Roma teacher’s assistants provide additional support to the Roma pupils in order to improve their skills and knowledge, as well as to foster their regular school attendance. There is no Roma pupils’drop-out cases in the schools where Roma teacher assistants work.

ESTONIA None in place. Activities to ascertain and train of future Roma mediators have begun in 2017.

FINLAND As part of the Nevo tiija-project but also permanently Seurakuntaopisto is training new Roma mediators. There are two specific vocational degrees designed for these diplomas with a well developed curricula. The Roma mediators will all receive a double qualification; that of a Roma mediator and a general vocational educational certificate enabling them to work also outside the field of Roma mediation. They are hired in schools, Youth work, basic services, employment services, Roma and non-Roma NGO sector etc.

GEORGIA No.

LITHUANIA Roma mediation is not institutionalised and is financed on project-to-project basis. Currently (2018, 1 of August) in the framework of the project - ”Let us work together with Roma – new job opportunities and challenges” 10 mediators are employed. 8 of them work as community mediators, 2 as employment mediators.

NORWAY Mentoring project for Roma pupils

In recent years, Oslo municipality has received government funding for a mentoring project for Roma pupils. An evaluation has shown that the scheme with a mentor acting as a link between school and parents has worked well. The mentor has been an important resource in monitoring attendance, together with the children and their parents. The Roma mentor has increased understanding of, and trust in, schools among Roma parents. The mentor has also helped to reduce absence and increase the learning gains for many Roma children.

The mentoring project has been strengthened, and four people are now employed in 100 % positions related to the project. Details on mentoring: see the CAHROM report form the visit in Lithuania, 26-17 April 2017, on Roma mediation (with a focus on school mediators/assistants)

https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/cahrom#{"18184355":[1]}

Collective reparation for Roma

As an outcome of the Government's collective reparation to the Norwegian Roma, the Church City Mission in Oslo has opened a Roma Culture and Resource centre in Oslo together with Roma. The Government has allocated about 10M NOK (approx. €1M) this year to the centre, which includes a mediator service and an after-school club for children and youth. The centre is used for meetings, celebrations and various other arrangements. Both Roma and non-Roma work there. In the future, the hope is that the centre can be a meeting place where Roma and the majority population can meet and get to know each other's lifestyle and culture.

3.        ROMA RELEVANT LEGISLATION

( such as a specific minority act, strategy as governmental programme, list of official jobs in case of Roma mediators, act on supporting cultural, linguistic identity, act on minority education, etc.)

LATVIA National set of the policy measures on Roma integration is included in the mainstream policy document – Guidelines on National Identity, Civil Society and Integration Policy for 2012–2018; document available https://www.km.gov.lv/uploads/ckeditor/files/Sabiedribas_integracija/Romi/Dokumenti/Pasakumu_kopums_Romi(2012-2018).pdf 

The set of the policy measures on Roma integration for next period is part of the Implementation Plan for National Identity, Civil Society and Integration Policy for 2019–2020 (adopted in 2018); linkhttps://www.km.gov.lv/lv/ministrija/jaunumi/valdiba-apstiprina-nacionalas-identitates-pilsoniskas-sabiedribas-un-integracijas-politikas-istenosanas-planu-nakamajiem-2-gadiem-2480; document available: https://www.km.gov.lv/uploads/ckeditor/files/KMPl_060718_NIPSIPP_2019_2020.1394.pdf

In addition, Roma as a target group is mentioned in following regulations:

-Regulations on groups of people at risk of social exclusion and procedures for the granting, registration and supervision of social enterprise status (adopted in 2018). These regulations include Roma as one of the target groups. The Ministry of Welfare is responsible for the implementation of regulations;

-Regulations on the implementation of the ESF project “Increase the integration of people at risk of discrimination into society and the labour market” include Roma as one of the target groups, implemented by the Society Integration Found in cooperation with many partners (adopted in 2016). The aim of the project is to promote the employment and socioeconomic inclusion of the most distinguished and discriminated groups, including ethnic minorities such Roma, as well as to foster the increase of a level of understanding in mainstream society on issues related to discrimination and social exclusion. There are some examples of activities of the program: provision of supporting and motivational services to the most distinguished and discriminated groups of people in order to combat discrimination and promote social inclusion; educational activities on issues of social inclusion and prevention discrimination in the labour market and activities promoting inclusive workplace and diversity management systems; raise awareness activities for mainstream society.

ESTONIA Constitution of the Republic of Estonia section 12: everyone is equal before the law, no one shall be discriminated on the basis of nationality, race, colour, sex, language, origin, religion, political or other opinion, property or social status, or on other grounds;

-The Equal Treatment Act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin and race in employment, education and social protection, as well as in access to and supply of goods and services available to the public, while protection on the grounds of religious or other belief is limited in the area of employment;

- The Strategy of Integration and Social Cohesion 2020.

FINLAND Constitution of Finland 11.6.1999/731, especially article 17. Two Governmental Degrees on the National Advisory Board of Roma Affairs and 4 regional Advisory Boards of Roma Affairs (VNA 1019/2003 ja VNA 1350/2009). Equality law 30.12.2014/1325. Educational legislations such as Basic Education Act 628/1998 and Act on General upper Secondary Education 21.8.1998/629 and Law on vocational education 11.8.2017/531

GEORGIA Legislative framework of Georgia includes following acts relevant to the protection of minorities’ rights:   The Constitution of Georgia, European Convention on Human Rights, The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, International convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, State Strategy for Civic Equality and Integration and its Action Plan for 2015-2020, Law of Georgia on Official Language, Law of Georgia on General Education, Law of Georgia on Health Care, Law of Georgia on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination.

The rights of minorities’ are also protected under laws of Georgia in fields of civil law, administrative law, criminal law as well as laws related to education, healthcare, culture which among others include specific provisions related to the rights of minorities.

LITHUANIA The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania (Art. 37 and 45) regulates the rights of people belonging to national minorities.

Lithuanian legislation does not contain definition of minority and hence the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities which Lithuania ratified on March 2000 applies to all different ethnic groups.

The provisions on the protection of the rights of national minorities are incorporated in different legal acts.  The Law on Associations and the Law on Charity and Sponsorship guarantees the freedom of association and the right to receive sponsorship for the people belonging to national minorities. The Law on Education guaranties the right to education in mother tongue.

Lithuania has ratified nearly all the major European and international agreements in the field of human rights and minority protection. According the Article 138 of the Lithuanian Constitution, all the international agreements that are ratified by the parliament will be incorporated to the Lithuanian legal system.

4.        ROMA REPRESENTATIVE BODIES

(status, n° of Roma participants, election mechanism, etc.)

LATVIA The Council Supervising the Implementation of Roma Integration Policy Measures has been established in 2012 by the Ministry of Culture. The Council includes representatives from state bodies (co-responsible ministries, local authorities and educational establishments) and 6 Roma and 2 non-Roma NGOs that work in the area of protecting the interests of the Roma. There are 2 meetings per year minimum.

Minorities Advisory Council of the President of Republic of Latvia and

Advisory Council on the National Minority Education Affairs of the Ministry of Education and Science include representatives of Roma community.

Some Roma mediators regularly take part in the meetings of the local governments Councils (e.g. in Ventspils, Jelgava). e Roma NGO: "Roma Culture Centre" is very active in the development cooperation with parliamentarians, state officials and agencies and politicians.

ESTONIA In December 2015, the Ministry of Culture formed the National Roma Integration Council which involves different ministries and local governments as well as representatives of Roma organisations and experts.  The aim of the Council is to encourage and facilitate dialogue, promote mutual learning and cooperation between the stakeholders, as well as discuss and offer solutions the problems related to Roma integration.

FINLAND National Negotiation Board of Roma Affairs in Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and 4 regional boards all of which have go a permanent, full-time worker. Finnish Roma Forum represents the voice of 30 united Roma organizations.

GEORGIA No.

LITHUANIA In order to ensure greater participation of national minorities in decision-making process on issues relating to the protection of their rights, the Council of National Communities with representatives of twenty national minorities among its members was established under the Department of National Minorities. The Council submits recommendations and proposals on the improvement of national relations to the Department of National Minorities, to the Parliament, to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania,  and to other public institutions. Roma national minority has one representative in the Council of National Communities.

NORWAY In Norway, there are no specific mechanisms for participation of Roma and Travellers in formal advisory or consultation bodies. Generally speaking, the goal of the Norwegian public authorities is to develop a coherent policy for national minorities in dialogue with the national minority organisations. The Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation and other ministries initiate meetings to engage in dialogue with national minorities whenever relevant.

Norwegian authorities emphasize dialogue with the groups' organisations, to ensure that their views are heard in matters that affect them. The national minority organisations take part in the regular Contact Forum between national minorities and central authorities, thereby helping to promote awareness of the status of national minorities in society and the activities of national minorities in civil society. The Contact Forum is a meeting where issues of common concern can be discussed. In addition to the Contact Forum, the ministries have meetings when required, both with national minority organisations, and in some cases with individuals from the minority groups.

5. COUNTRY SPECIFIC MAIN CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF ROMA POLICY FOR A COUNTRY WITH A SMALL ROMA POPULATION

(e.g. school drop outs, child marriage, housing, access to employment, health status, etc.)

and problems that are hard to address and reasons why

 (e.g. lack of data, lack of political or institutional support, lack of funding, lack of Roma representation or involvement, etc.)

LATVIA 1)Lack of political and institutional support (need for effective cooperation / network between co-responsible ministries and agencies; co-responsible governmental institutions should provide more targeted and inclusive measures on Roma; the problem is that these institutions mainstreamed Roma as a group, not specify as a target group, because of Roma population too small for special targeted approach); the Ministry of Culture regularly inform Roma about possibilities provided by co-responsible governmental institutions, as well as provide information for these governmental institutions on Roma situation in certain key areas and their need.

2)Lack of funding for Roma teacher’s assistants (Roma school mediators) and Roma community mediators, as well as institutionalization of Roma mediation practice at the local level; more support would be needed from the Ministry of Education and Science to institutionalize Roma teacher assistants in schools, using ES funds.

3)Limited Roma access to employment because of lack of education and prejudice towards Roma in mainstream society (especially among employers); more support would be needed from the Employment State Agency and the Ministry of Welfare.

4)The need for active Roma; there is some criticism from Roma people on Roma integration policy, proposals for improving situation and call for immediate action, but in fact their relatively low involvement and participation when activities or measures are provided especially for Roma.

ESTONIA Very low education level compared to the general society; low employment level; high illegal activity; school drop-outs in grades 7-9; low pre-school level attendance; low participation in civil society; lack of everyday contacts outside the Roma community.

As the small number of Estonian Roma community lives dispersed all over Estonia and the number of Roma in Estonian municipalities is usually limited to a few people, it is very hard to involve the local self-governments into Roma integration process. The same applies to schools, there were 45 Roma students studying at basic schools in 2017/18.

Lack of competent spokespersons among the Roma and weakness of Roma organisations with small number of members and little meaningful activity.

FINLAND Main challenges are Roma people’s access to employment, discrimination on the labour market and services, substance abuse and poor health due to relative poverty and negative health behaviour, lack of Roma with tertiary education.

GEORGIA Lack of documentation (low general awareness among Roma population – they do not see it as a problem and need of obtaining)

Naturalization - knowledge of Georgian language, history and law; costs for consideration of a citizenship application;

Social prejudices, unacceptance and marginalization (medical centers, schools, etc.)

Living conditions and housing (First, an undocumented individual is certainly unable to claim a property before receiving an ID card. While Roma often reside unofficial constructions, which do not show up in the database of the National Public Registry Agency (NPRA), such properties can only be used for residential purposes but could not be used for the purposes of economic activities and bank loans.)

Income/unemployment - at state level no specific programs are developed for mainly focusing on Roma employment. In fact, most of the Roma community members are self-employed and mostly in trade markets. The lack of employment opportunities also relates to low level of education (social allowances who are citizens of Georgia, trading, begging)

Education – without birth certificates schools are unable to admit children.

-          Awareness                            - Push for working from younger ages

-          Financial problems               - Distance from schools                                    - Discrimination – not in the education system, but from classmates and their parents.

Access to health and social services – lack of documentation is a key issue because all medical institutions need to identify patients before their acceptance to a relevant facility. Secondly, as of social protection, in order to determine the vulnerability level, the living conditions of unidentified Roma cannot be reviewed by relevant agents of the Social Services Agency (SSA)

Political inclusion and participation 1. Unfortunately, a large part of the Roma community does not consider that their votes matters, 2. Roma are not addressed or included in political campaigns and programs (single activities of awareness rising by Central Election Commission)

Other challenges related to the implementation of the policy for Roma integration and inclusion.

• Recognizing problems and defining comprehensive state view and strategy would encourage all the respective institutions to address problems within their competences;
• Improving data gathering practices and analysis/In depth analysis of Roma groups in Georgia, since it has been becoming more and more complicated to identify and distinguish existing groups (due to intermarriages, self-identification issues, religion changes, etc.)
• Making existing institutional mechanisms more functional or create additional ones to eliminate administrative barriers for Roma
• Proactive approach should take place.

In the framework of the program on “Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness” study visit for representatives of state institutions took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina to share experience and good practices in Roma integration, realization of rights, housing, mediation, provision with identity documents, etc. The information gained from the visit will be taken into account in 2019 activities. Launching the practice of Roma mediators, as well as more active work with local municipalities, appointing focal points are planned. In the framework of aforementioned program, Communication Strategy and Action Plan for reaching Roma community are being drafted.

Moreover, background paper on the Lack of Civil Registration and Identity Documents among Roma in Georgia is being developed by OSCE/ODIHR Georgian expert-consultants.

LITHUANIA Main obstacles for Roma integration are: low level of education, early marriages, problems with finding employment, discrimination.

Because of small number of Roma living in Lithuania, it is difficult to adopt documents/strategies for Roma integration at national level.

At the international level, Lithuania is not included into different initiatives, for example, Lithuanian Roma cannot benefit from scholarship provided by Roma Education Fund.

NORWAY No statistics are currently kept in Norway on the basis of ethnic background. However, on the basis of information provided by Roma and persons who have contact with Roma, the government has reason to believe that school drop outs, housing, access to employment, discrimination and illiteracy are amongst the main challenges faced by Norwegian Roma today. Lack of data are among the reasons why these problems are hard to address.

ARE ROMA LISTED IN YOUR LEGISLATION AMONG THE VULNERABLE GROUPS AND DO THEY -  AS A CONSEQUENCE -BENEFIT FROM ANY “AFFIRMATIVE” ACTIONS?  (preferential access to social housing, university quotas, scholarships, etc.)

LATVIA In some case Roma are defined as one of the target groups which are faced social exclusion risk and discrimination, but usually Roma are mainstreamed as a group.  Additional information in “Legislation” section.

ESTONIA No such legislation in place identifying the most vulnerable groups. No affirmative actions applied to any minority group.

FINLAND No social housing is secured for specifically vulnerable groups like elderly or handicapped, some Roma families also live in these forms of housing or state subsidised council housing or lower cost state subsidised housing. University quotas do not exist, and university studies are free of charge.

LITHUANIA Different social policy documents define Roma as vulnerable group.

Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, aiming to reduce social exclusion of Roma, from 2004 allocates EU structural funds for the projects aimed at Roma integration into labour market (above mentioned project “Let us work together with Roma – new job opportunities and challenges”).

Vilnius Municipality in the framework of the Programme for integration of Vilnius Kirtimai settlement community in to society for 2016-2019 allocates funding specially for Roma, who wish to move from Kirtimai settlement to the city. Vilnius Municipality compensates rent fee.

No other affirmative measures, such as scholarships or university quotas are introduced into legislation.