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Promoting EU non-discrimination and equality standards

PRESENTATION

The main objective of the project Promoting EU Non-discrimination and Equality standards in the programming and implementation of Structural Funds is to make proposals to the EU institutions for amendment of the regulatory framework of the Structural Funds with a view to reinforcing the implementation of the principle of non-discrimination and equality in the programming and implementation of Structural Funds, in particular towards Roma.

The principle of non-discrimination has been introduced as a horizontal principle in the General Regulation for the Structural Funds for the first time in the programming period 2007-2013. This means it has to be included at all levels of programming of the Structural Funds.

Bearing in mind the negotiations for the regulatory framework for the next period, the project submits to the EU institutions reform proposals, based on research in five Member States (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia), which analyse how these Member States comply with their obligation under Article 16 of the General Regulation of the Structural Funds.

The analysis focuses on non-discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin and explores in particular the implementation of this principle with respect to Roma.

This project is part of the ‘Making the Most of EU funding for Roma (MtM) initiative of the Open Society Foundations‘, conducted by the Open Society Institute Europe Foundation.


Promoting EU non-discrimination and equality standards WORK IN CONTEXT

European Commission wants Roma NGOs involved in spending EU funds

EU-equality-standards-summaryMarking International Roma Day, the European Commission on 8 April urged member countries to ensure that NGOs representing Roma are involved in the planning and use of EU funds for integration into society.

EU Structural Funds have been mobilised to boost national efforts and are an important financial lever in ensuring the translation of national Roma integration strategies into real socio-economic inclusion of Roma communities, alongside national budgets. But although, the three funds total €50 billion per year, not enough benefits disadvantaged Roma communities. The Commission therefore urges the national Roma contact points to be closely involved in the planning of the use of EU Funds.

But to what extent are the principles  of equality and non-discrimination directly built in the programming and implementation of these Funds? This is what our project Promoting EU Non-discrimination and Equality standards in the programming and implementation of Structural Funds seeks to assess. Bearing in mind the negotiations for the regulatory framework for the next period, this project aims to submit to the EU institutions reform proposals based on research in five Member States (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia).


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