Within the Roma Civil Monitor, a new thematic report, Digital Inclusion of Roma: Current Patterns, Trends, and Barriers, has been launched, authored by Mustafa Jakupov. Published by the European Commission, the report delves into the systemic digital exclusion faced by Roma across Europe.
The research highlights how structural antigypsyism, socio-economic marginalisation, limited access to infrastructure, and lack of necessary skills prevent Roma individuals from accessing education, employment, and available online services. These partially overlap with barriers of other vulnerable groups of society, and the disparities have become even more pronounced in the aftermath of COVID-19. Additionally, the report provides examples of successful initiatives to address these challenges.
As technology increasingly shapes social and economic opportunities, digital exclusion has become one of the most pressing aspects of the broader exclusion faced by the Roma. This exclusion is not simply a failure of users’ or their access to services but a failure of policy reform that addresses systemic antigypsyism, according to Mustafa Jakupov, and so he provides an in-depth analysis of current gaps and promising practices, drawing attention to community-led efforts and partnerships with technology companies.
The report also aligns with broader EU objectives, calling for sustainable policy solutions, robust public-private collaborations, and comprehensive digital education programmes tailored to Roma communities.
Read the full report here: Digital Inclusion of Roma: Current Patterns, Trends, and Barriers.
How to cite this report:
Roma Civil Monitor (2024) Digital Inclusion of Roma: Current Patterns, Trends, and Barriers. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg. By Mustafa Jakupov.