| The Council of Europe is implementing the Roma Integration III Joint Programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe, aiming to strengthen the capacity of governments in the Western Balkans and Türkiye to effectively address the multifaceted challenges faced by the Roma communities through the implementation of comprehensive public policies in areas such as housing, employment, civil registration, green and digital transition. Roma Integration III is implemented in seven Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye, with the duration of 3 years (1 May 2023- 30 April 2026) and is co-financed by the European Union and Council of Europe.
The project assists the progressive implementation in the Western Balkans beneficiaries of the “EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020 – 2030”; the 2019 Declaration of Western Balkans partners on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process (Poznan Declaration) and subsequent commitments made by the governments at the annual ministerial meetings and endorsed within the Berlin Process Summits; and progress on fulfilment of Roma inclusion commitments taken under the negotiations Chapter 23. The project will also ensure that the necessary capacity is built at central level for the proper implementation, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting, the reinforcement of the co-operation with local authorities and the progressive alignment with all elements of the EU Roma inclusion policy. |
WYG was selected to support the implementation of the project with a particular expertise on green transition and Green Agenda, to conduct a study on the inclusion of Roma in the green transition and Green Agenda in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The study will research the potential of Roma communities in the green economy, will assess the effectiveness of green policies, identify employment opportunities, and analyse barriers faced by Roma in accessing green technologies. It will also explore environmental justice issues and the role of Roma in the green transition. WYG will also provide policy recommendations to enhance Roma inclusion in green initiatives, including pilot programme proposals for each Beneficiary