Finnish National Policy on Roma

Policy Response DateDecember 8, 2009 Country: Finland General Type: Discrimination, Institutional discrimination, Equality/Integration Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-roma/zinghanophobia
Groups affected / Interested in: Roma & Travelers Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Employment - labour market, Housing, Health and social protection, Education, Culture, Political participation, Anti-discrimination

The Finnish national policy on Roma (Suomen romanipoliittinen ohjelma, ROMPO / Finlands politiska program avseende roomer, ROMPO), developed by a working group including representatives of public authorities, research institutes and Roma, puts forward 10 policy guidelines. The guidelines comprise 147 specific measures in total, aimed at the promotion of inclusion and equal treatment of Roma in different areas of life. The policy guidelines aim at:

- increasing the participation and equal treatment of Roma children in early childhood education;

- increasing the participation and equal treatment of Roma children and youth in basic and secondary education;

- improving the participation of Roma in vocational education;

- improving and promoting the access of Roma to the labour market;

- promoting the wellbeing of Roma and improving their access to social and health services;

- ensuring the equal treatment and reducing the sense of insecurity of Roma in housing;

- promoting the development of the Romani language and culture;

- promoting the equal treatment and preventing discrimination of Roma;

- developing the administration of national Roma affairs and improving policy

- measures in relation to Roma and the implementation of these policies; and

- promoting the participation of Finland at international level on Roma issues.