The University of Lancashire has published a report on how Roma children are responding to covid-19 in the EU and specifically in Bulgaria. The study was born at a time when the EU is about to publish a post-2020 Roma inclusion initiative, however critics highlighted that so far there has not been a clear indication to include the voices of Roma children and young people. 

For the report the information was collected from 13 organisations operating in 9 European countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain and the UK) working with Roma children and young people. The researchers have articulated 3 main areas of challenges that these children face:

1. Lack of Essentials for Basic Health and Income

  • Roma families are unable to access food
  • Or access basic services (e.g.: clean water, sewage etc)
  • Lost their income when returned from Western Europe due to the pandemic, no job perspective in home country 

2. Wellbeing and Education

  • Restrictions have severe impacts on the wellbeing of children who are not allowed to play outside
  • The closure of schools could lead to isolation for them 

3. Discrimination and Participation 

  • New forms of discrimination
    • Stricter restrictions for Roma communities and negative attitude from the public and the police 
    • Limited access to quality health services 
    • Greater discrimination from employers leading to hardships finding a job 
  • "Combined effects of poor housing, economic disadvantage and lack of access to online learning" 
  • Lack of accessable information on safety measures

Recommendations

  • Stronger community involvement 
  • The EU should enable Roma children and young people to be included in decision-making processes 
  • Social protection is essential 

Childhub

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