Menu
work

Roma in the COVID-19 Crisis

This brief warns that Roma communities in Europe need more economic support in their fight against COVID-19 and its consequences. The EU also needs the Roma demographic for its own economic and political future.

Roma communities in Europe face a much higher risk of death from COVID-19, as their situation, already marked by extreme racism and poverty, has been worsening in the last decade. However, the European Union member states covered in this policy brief—Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain—have not responded with proportionate support.

This brief argues that the COVID-19 crisis and the EU’s recovery plan in response both present an opportunity to improve the conditions of Europe’s Roma—not only in terms of rights, obligations, needs, but in the interests of sound political and economic decision-making across the region.

This report was originally published on opensocietyfoundations.org.

Author(s)

Roma Foundation for Europe

Share this article
Send

The latest

Read about our work and the issues we are addressing.
Logos of the Berlin Process Summit and the Roma Foundation for Europe
Press

Economic investment in Roma would help drive EU integration of Western Balkans: Roma Foundation

30 October 2024
As Germany hosts the 10th Berlin Process Summit aimed at bringing six Western Balkan states closer to the European Union, one of the critical issues discussed will be improving the situation of the Roma—the region's largest ethnic minority.
Read more
Fifth Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration
Press

Ministers Commit to Improving Roma Lives in Western Balkans by Addressing Anti-Gypsyism, and Ensuring Access to Education and Health during Berlin Meeting

30 October 2024
Participants at the Ministerial Meeting on Roma Integration ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Berlin Process call for concrete steps to improve the situation of Roma in the Western Balkans and tap into their economic potential.
Read more
Portrait of Roma children
Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

30 October 2024
Everything you need to know about the Roma Foundation for Europe, our network and the Roma
Read more

Browse by category

Campaigns

We are on the ground with our network to bring Roma power where it matters.
Campaigns

Events

Information about events from the Roma Foundation for Europe and its network members.
Events

Facts

Briefings, explainers and analyses that explain and highlight complex issues.
Facts

Press

Media coverage of our work, press releases and information for journalists.
Press

Voices

Perspectives, experiences and narratives from the community.
Voices
Offices
BrusselsBerlinBucharestBelgradeSkopje
Sign up for news

Sign up here so you don’t miss out on campaign updates, upcoming events and other news from the Roma Foundation for Europe and our network.

Sign up for our newsletter