Allocation of Greek funds for the Roma

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Written question – Allocation of Greek funds for the Roma – E-008246/2016

31 October 2016
E-008246-16
Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 130
Notis Marias (ECR)

Written question – Allocation of Greek funds for the Roma – E-008246/2016

According to report 14/2016 from the European Court of Auditors, the integration of the Roma, which is being promoted through EU financed programmes, is still facing difficulties which hamper the utilisation of funds.

As regards the 2014-2020 period, despite the explicit reference to Roma inclusion into the ESI funds, there is no indication of the amount of funding required or the amount allocated to the national strategies of the Member States.

However, in their recommendations the auditors state that Member States must clearly indicate the amount of funding allocated to the Roma programmes.

Although there are no recorded figures, from the planning documents of Member States it follows that, for the 2014-2020 period, a total of about EUR 1.5 billion have been committed for the inclusion of socially excluded groups such as the Roma.

As regards Greece specifically, it is estimated that nearly one billion out of the EUR 15.11 billion of Community funding to be received in the 2014-2020 period has been earmarked for the promotion of social inclusion and combating poverty. Part of this sum may be used to finance actions involving Roma.

Therefore, will the Commission say what level of funding will Greece finally allocate during the 2014-2020 period for the Roma?

 

Answer to a written question – Allocation of Greek funds for the Roma – E-008246/2016

11 January 2017
E-008246/2016
Answer given by Ms Thyssen on behalf of the Commission
Concerning the 2014-2020 Programming Period, more than EUR 73 million from the European Social Fund have been allocated in the investment priority ‘socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities such as the Roma’. Interventions under this investment priority will be implemented by the Regional Operational Programmes. In addition, the European Regional Development Fund contributes to the objective of promoting social inclusion, combatting poverty and any discrimination with an investment of EUR 238.5 million.

However, the legislative framework for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) does not require indicating the detail of dedicated amounts for social inclusion of the Roma. In the ESIF Regulations for the 2014-2020 programming period, equality and non-discrimination are considered as horizontal principles to be followed by all the Funds. This contributes to promoting the inclusion of Roma as beneficiaries of the mainstream programmes, especially those in the key thematic areas for Roma integration or in geographical areas in which the Roma population is highly represented.

It should be noted that, in the field of social inclusion, the EU’s role is mainly to support and complement national policies. The responsibility for the design and implementation of national policy measures rests with the Member State.

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