Roma Equality and Social Investment in the Next EU Budget
Time: 21 April, 2026 9:20 -11:30
Venue: European Parliament, Paul Henri Spaak 7C50
Watch the event online here: https://ep.interactio.eu/43yd-5up-zcbm-c09
Registration for this event is now closed!
External participation costs are not covered by the organisers.
Please note that participation may be subject to seat availability. We will confirm your place once your registration has been reviewed.
IMPORTANT:
Those who registered and need to pick up their entry badge (sticker), please arrive at Station Europe by 08:45 and proceed inside with your ID (important: please bring the document you have registered for the event with) to collect your badge for the day. Please look for the Roma Week sign for assistance. Entry will be facilitated by Parliament assistants in groups starting from 08:45. Please note that approximately 100 participants have registered for this event, which will begin promptly at 09:30.
Context
The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034 is entering a decisive phase in which core choices are being made on social spending targets, cohesion policy, partnership rules, and budget flexibility. These decisions will determine whether EU funding effectively reaches communities facing persistent structural exclusion, including Roma.
While the Commission’s proposals include positive elements, such as a 14% social spending target and the continuation of ESF+, they do not explicitly name Roma and weaken binding safeguards for civil society participation. The move towards National and Regional Partnership Plans and increased Member State discretion risks diluting Roma inclusion unless explicit, enforceable guarantees are embedded in the MFF framework.
Aim of the Event
The event aims to provide timely, policy-relevant input to the MFF 2028–2034 negotiations by examining how Roma inclusion can be explicitly secured through the MFF’s funding instruments and governance rules. It will highlight concrete good practices from current EU funding instruments and draw lessons learned from their implementation. These insights will inform more effective, inclusive, and accountable approaches to Roma inclusion in the next EU budget.
Objectives
- To assess how current MFF proposals address, or fail to address, Roma inclusion
- To examine whether the 14% social spending target can effectively support Roma communities.
- To identify risks arising from weakened partnership obligations and increased budget flexibility.
- To outline clear and practical priorities for strengthening social inclusion, equality, and accountability within the MFF.
- To highlight the importance of building alliances between Roma organisations, civil society, social partners, and public authorities to ensure effective and inclusive implementation of the MFF.
Event Agenda
09:20 – 09:30 | Roma on Par – film screening (10 min)
09:30 – 09:50 | Welcome and Opening
Moderator: Gabriela Hrabanova, Director ERGO Network
- Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality (video message)
- Nicolae Ștefănuță, Vice-President, Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA)
- Eva Schultz, Member of Cabinet, Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, European Commission
- Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights (online)
09:50 – 10:15| Panel Discussion: From Commitments to Guarantees
Moderator: Réka Tunyogi, Social Platform
- Terry Reintke, Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA, Germany) – Equality and anti-discrimination funding
- Ana Carla Pereira, Director for Equality and Non-Discrimination (DG JUST)
10:15 – 10:30 | State of Play of the MFF 2028–2034
- Carla Tavares, Member of the European Parliament (S&D), MFF Rapporteur
10:30 – 10:55 | Lessons Learned: What Works
Moderator: Réka Tunyogi, Social Platform
- Ragna Fidjestol, Managing Director, EEA and Norway Grants– Supporting Roma inclusion through EEA and Norway Grants programmes and funding mechanisms
- Belén Sánchez-Rubio García, Fundación Secretariado Gitano (Spain) – Employment and ESF success
- Marek Hojsik, Roma Civil Monitor – National-level good practice example
10 55– 11:10 | Roma Civil Society Perspectives
- Daniel Grebeldinger, ERGO Network – Key recommendations to secure Roma inclusion through MFF governance and implementation
11:10 – 11:25 | Questions and Interventions from the Audience
11:25 – 11:30 | Closing
- João Oliveira, Member of The Left group in the European Parliament
Accreditation and Access to the European Parliament for Roma Week Events
For those who registered or requested an entry badge, please note that accreditation is granted via an automated self-service machine (similar to airport customs machines), located in Station Europe (see photo below), in front of the Altiero Spinelli Building (entrance from Place Luxembourg).
You may collect your access badge only on the day of your event from the self-service machine in Station Europe. Please follow the specific event guidelines to ensure that a Parliament assistant, accompanied by ERGO staff holding a Roma Week poster pick-you up before the designated time set by the event organizers, allowing for a smooth and timely entry into the European Parliament.
For those requiring assistance with the self-service machine, ERGO colleagues will be at Station Europe approximately one hour before the event start time (holding a Roma Week poster) to help with the process.
Regular Entry to the European Parliament
If you already possess a valid access badge, please proceed directly to the event location and arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure a timely start.
