The "Roadmap for the Inclusion of Roma in Employment," developed under the European Union and Council of Europe’s Joint Programme Roma Integration Phase III, was presented at a meeting with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, members of Parliament, ministries, national institutions, academia, international and national organisations, and Roma civil society organisations.
The meeting opened with speeches from William Massolin, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office; Ana Oprișan, Programme Manager at the Roma and Travellers Division of the Council of Europe; Mehmet Caner Demir, Programme Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye; and Tuncay Cevheroğlu, Director General at the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
The meeting continued with the presentation of the roadmap, serving as a platform for discussions on improving employment opportunities for Roma individuals, who have historically faced significant barriers to economic participation. The representatives emphasised the importance of collaboration between central institutions to create a more inclusive labour market and ensure equal opportunities for the Roma community.
The roadmap discussions during the workshop included practical steps to address key barriers to Roma employment, such as improving access to vocational training, implementing targeted support programmes, facilitating the transition to formal employment, and promoting entrepreneurship opportunities.
Participants welcomed the initiative, which provided a space for experience-sharing and strengthened engagement between stakeholders and beneficiaries of Roma employment policies.
