In late January, a meeting of the Interagency Working Group on the implementation of the Strategy for Promoting the Rights of the Roma National Minority until 2030 took place. The discussion brought together representatives of профиль ministries and state institutions, members of parliament, the Ombudsman’s Office, law enforcement agencies, as well as civil society organizations and Roma community groups.
Practical implementation of the strategy and the European dimension
The main focus of the meeting was the practical implementation of the Roma Strategy and its role in preparing Ukraine for accession to the European Union. Participants discussed whether the existing mechanisms are aligned with European standards and capable of delivering tangible changes for Roma communities.
Viktor Yelenskyi, Head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, emphasized that the Roma community, like other national minorities, demonstrated resilience during the full-scale war and, together with all citizens of Ukraine, stood up in defense of the state.
He also noted that there are currently 116 Roma-led civil society organizations operating in Ukraine, and that in 26 localities the Roma community traditionally resides or constitutes a significant part of the local population.
The position of civil society
Yulian Kondur, representative of the Roma Women’s Foundation “Chirikli,” stressed the importance of the Interagency Working Group meeting more frequently and exercising real oversight over the implementation of the Strategy, rather than functioning in a purely formal manner.
He emphasized the need for clear criteria for involving civil society organizations, regular consultations to document results, and stronger interagency coordination. According to him, this would help prevent the shifting of responsibility between institutions and make the implementation of the Strategy more effective.
The issue of funding was also raised. While there is currently no dedicated budget program, the implementation of initiatives remains possible through grant mechanisms for civil society organizations and local budgets.
Revising the operational action plan
Oleksandr Osipov, representative of the Commissioner for Equal Rights and Freedoms, the Rights of National Minorities, and Political and Religious Beliefs, stated that the new operational plan for implementing the Roma Strategy must lead to real change rather than remain a formal reporting document.
He noted that while the current version of the document is legally sound and convenient for interagency reporting, it focuses primarily on processes and the number of actions completed, rather than on outcomes. Under such an approach, the entire plan may be formally fulfilled without providing clear answers as to what has actually changed for Roma communities.
According to him, the state already has tools to measure the real impact of policies. The task, therefore, is not to rewrite the Strategy entirely, but to refine its indicators with a stronger focus on results and on changes in people’s lives.
During the meeting, members of parliament, representatives of central executive authorities, and civil society actors also shared their observations. Taking these positions into account, the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience was invited to revise the draft operational plan, a proposal that was supported by the participants.
The European context of the strategy
As Viktor Yelenskyi emphasized, negotiations with the European Commission both begin and conclude with human rights issues, including the rights of national minorities and freedom of conscience. The Roma Strategy adopts a comprehensive approach, addressing education, housing, access to water and healthcare, the protection of children’s rights, as well as the preservation of Roma identity and historical memory.
In this sense, the implementation of the Strategy serves as a test of the state’s readiness to translate commitments into meaningful changes in the lives of people.
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