Skills & Employment
Europe’s Untapped Resource: Investing in Roma Potential
As Europe grapples with an aging population and looming labor shortages, a significant demographic with vast economic potential remains largely untapped: the Roma. Often viewed through the lens of social welfare, the continent’s largest and youngest ethnic minority presents a compelling opportunity for strategic public investment, a paradigm shift that could benefit not only Roma communities but also bolster European economies as a whole.
The Roma Education Fund is spearheading this change in perspective with its Skills and Employment strategic pillar. This innovative approach recognizes that education, coupled with robust pathways to employment, is the key to unlocking the economic power of the Roma population. This isn’t merely a philanthropic endeavor; it’s a strategic investment in Europe’s future workforce, a vision shared by the Roma Foundation for Europe Network.
The overarching aim is clear: to economically empower Roma individuals through comprehensive education, targeted training, and meaningful employment opportunities. This ambitious pillar will operate across REF’s network countries and beyond, with a concrete goal of supporting the employment of 10,000 Roma individuals by 2033.
Several key initiatives are already underway to achieve this target:
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) tailored to labor market demands. Recognizing the need for relevant skills, REF is actively promoting upskilling and reskilling programs designed to meet the current and future needs of European employers.
- Efforts are underway to directly connect Roma job seekers with available positions, breaking down barriers to entry and fostering inclusion in the workforce.
- REF and its partners are actively engaging in public discourse to advocate for policies that facilitate the mass employment of Roma individuals, particularly in well-compensated roles within the public sector.
- REF is forging alliances with employers, employer associations, specialized employment institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to create sustainable employment pathways for Roma individuals. Joint projects with international organizations are also in development to expand these opportunities to other vulnerable social groups.
These initiatives represent a tangible shift towards viewing the Roma population as a vital and largely untapped asset. By strategically investing in their education, skills, and employment, Europe can unlock significant economic potential, address demographic challenges, and foster more inclusive and prosperous societies for all. The Roma Education Fund’s work will become a blueprint for how this can be achieved.
Marina SAVKOVIC, Director Skills and Employment Division within the Roma Education Fund Network.
