The Spanish National Strategy for Roma Social Inclusion 2012-2020
The new Spanish Roma inclusion strategy from the Communication from the Commission of 5 April the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions An EU Framework for National Integration Strategies Roma 2020 (COM (2011) 173 final). This communication, endorsed by Member States at the meeting of EPSCO Council on May 19 and by the European Council at its meeting of 24 June, urged Member States to adopt national strategies for the inclusion of the Roma population (or an integrated package), due before the end of 2011. According to this, the strategies was designed in coordination with the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Spanish National Reform Progrmme.
The Strategy affects four key areas for social inclusion:
- Education
- Employment
- Housing
- and Health.
Quantitative targets are set for each, which are specified in percentages of the population, to grow in 2020, as well as some intermediate targets for 2015. Besides these four areas, the Strategy provides complementary lines of action in relation to social action, improving knowledge of this group, women’s equality, non-discrimination, promotion of culture and a focus on Roma from other countries.
The Strategy was developed following a participatory approach in line with the process followed for the preparation of the Action Plan for the Development of Roma 2010-2012. This involved various consultations: meetings, communication and shipment of the documentation to eight ministries of the central government, state government, and the most representative FEMP Roma organizations. In addition, the State Council of the Roma participated throughout the whole process.