The Estonian Human Rights Centre, in collaboration with Central European University, has published a monitoring report on the implementation of the National Roma Strategic Framework (NRSF) objectives in Estonia, focusing on equality, inclusion, and participation of Roma people.
Unfortunately, Estonia does not have a dedicated national Roma strategic framework. Instead, Roma-related issues are addressed under the broader development plan Cohesive Estonia 2021–2030 and annual integration programmes.
The report highlights that the lack of data on the Roma community in Estonia makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of any existing measures. Due to the absence of targeted research and a clear strategy, long-standing issues—such as low participation of Roma children in early childhood education, short and disrupted educational paths, and high unemployment—have remained unresolved for decades. There is also no reliable overview of the extent of discrimination against Roma people, particularly in healthcare and employment. Moreover, inadequate legislation enables the spread of hate against Roma and other marginalised groups. Roma civil society organisations in Estonia lack sufficient resources and institutional support, limiting their ability to advocate for their rights and engage in policymaking.
According to Egert Rünne, one of the report’s authors, both domestic and international organisations have long called for Estonia to adopt a national strategy specifically focused on Roma inclusion—or at the very least, to integrate a dedicated Roma component into existing integration programmes. This strategy should include measurable indicators and concrete actions to address the community’s needs and ensure their rights.
While a mentoring service provided in Valga—particularly in the field of education—has had a positive impact, it remains the only consistent Roma-focused inclusion initiative in the country, and its geographic reach is limited.
Progress is being hindered by the lack of baseline data, systematic monitoring, and a clear strategic approach. The report recommends that Estonia establish indicators aligned with EU objectives, collect relevant data, conduct targeted studies, and implement specific measures (such as expanding the mentoring programme). It also stresses the need for Roma civil society to be meaningfully involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of these measures. Strengthening cooperation between state institutions and local governments, and ensuring the active involvement of Roma in policymaking, is essential for achieving sustainable change.
The report was authored by Egert Rünne and Liina Laanpere from the Estonian Human Rights Centre. Its purpose was to assess the effectiveness of Estonia’s integration policy in relation to the Roma community, evaluate its alignment with the EU Roma strategic framework, and highlight areas in need of improvement. The findings are based on qualitative research, including interviews with members of the Roma community, civil society representatives, relevant public authorities, and written consultations with other stakeholders such as municipalities and schools.
This report was produced as part of the initiative “Preparatory Action – Roma Civil Monitor – Strengthening Roma Civil Society Capacity and Engagement in Policy Monitoring and Review.” The project was funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers under service contract number JUST/2020/RPAA/PR/EQUA/0095.
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