The CEU Democracy Institute has released a transnational thematic report entitled “Examples of Successful Housing Desegregation as a Precondition of Roma Integration”, developed within the Roma Civil Monitor 2021-2025 initiative with the participation of CSOs from six EU Member States. This report fills a gap in existing literature as it is the first to provide examples of successful residential desegregation of Roma.
While numerous municipalities across Europe are investing in improving living conditions within segregated settlements, experts argue that such efforts alone are insufficient, highlighting the crucial need for desegregation to achieve meaningful results in Roma integration. The report aims to dispel scepticism surrounding the practical feasibility of residential desegregation and inspire policy-makers, municipalities, and the public to prioritize comprehensive strategies beyond mere living condition improvements and promote social justice and inclusion, which is impossible without tackling segregation.
The comprehensive report features case studies from several EU member states, including the Czech Republic, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Italy, and Romania. Additionally, it includes a chapter summarizing academic findings on the mechanisms and consequences of residential segregation on social justice, along with a synthesis of the case studies accompanied by practical recommendations.
The report has been published on the occasion of the 16th European Platform for Roma Inclusion, organized by the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 30 November 2023 in Madrid, and presented at the joint meeting of the EURoma Network and the National Roma Contact Points meeting held on 1 December 2023.
The report has been edited by the RCM Senior Project Manager Marek Hojsík, who also authored the introduction and the chapter “Mechanisms and consequences of housing segregation” and co-authored, with Siniša-Senad Musić, the final chapter “Synthesis and recommendations.”