Hungary
ROMACT implementation started in June 2016 in Hungary with six municipalities: Ács, Ajka, Bicske, Ercsi, Nyiregyhaza, South Zala, Szikszo.
Due to difficulties in the implementation of ROMACT in Hungary, the process was stopped in March 2017.
Roma communities in Hungary
The population of Roma origin living in Hungary is estimated to represent 7,5% of the overall population, i.e.: 750 000 persons (Council of Europe, 2015)
According to a report from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada published in 2016, Roma in Hungary face discrimination "in all fields of life," including education, housing, employment, health care.
The report states that unemployment rates for Roma are 3-5 times higher than for non-Roma. In its 2015 report on Hungary, ECRI mentions that 60% of Roma live in rural areas, mostly in segregated residential zones, in poor conditions. Following a country visit in 2014, the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner reported also that Roma often face discrimination in accessing social housing.
A 2015 report from the Hungarian Ombudsman also highlighted the widespread segregation of Roma in schools. An ERRC article from 2016 states that approximately 45% of Roma children attend schools or classes in which majority of the children are Roma. ECRI indicates that 51% of Roma drop out of school while it is still compulsory.
As for health, Roma population is also faced with difficulties and discrimination in access to care . This is particularly true for Roma women who are being segregated in certain medical facilities, as reported by a UN Working Group on discrimination against women in 2016.
All these issues were prevalent in the municipalities in which ROMACT was implemented.
ROMACT Implementation
After the letter of agreement of implementation of ROMACT programme was signed, CAGs were created in 9 municipalities.
The local authorities also took upon themselves to appoint a ROMACT coordinator in 9 municipalities.
CAG meetings took place in all municipalities to assess needs related mainly to employment, housing, health, education and infrastructure. In some municipalities, like Bicske, women’s specific needs were also raised.
Communities priorities have therefore been drafted in all municipalities and shared with the local authorities. Except in one municipality, the Joint Action Plans were prepared in all ROMACT municipalities.
Some activities defined in the draft Joint Action Plans were implemented during the implementation period, based on the needs defined by the communities. It is notably worth mentioning the creation of a Baby Mum Club in Bicske, the garbage collection in the Roma neighbourhood of Edeleny or the creation of a Community Garden in Ercsi.
The Hungarian ROMACT Team also supported and coached municipalities willing to access EU funds to improve Roma communities’ situation in close cooperation with the latest. This support took the shape of EU funds management trainings, for instance, which were delivered in all ROMACT municipalities.
ROMACT experts also provided support for specific project proposals upon municipality request. It was notably the case in Acs, with support provided for the preparation of infrastructure project proposals, in Ajka, to ensure better access of the Roma inhabitants to public services for employment, in Edeleny for the creation of an integrated inclusion programme for children. In South Zala, ROMACT support was also requested for a LEADER project proposal aiming at providing a sustainable access to social, health and public service and improving the quality of these services in the district.
However, none of Local Councils of ROMACT municipalities took upon themselves to approve and budget the Joint Action Plan for Roma inclusion once drafted. Further implementation of the ROMACT process stumbled over the insufficient commitment of key stakeholders and lead to the closure of the process in the country.