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ROMA INTEGRATION PHASE III PROJECT

The European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE) have created the "Roma Integration Phase III Project," which runs from 2023 to 2026, to support the Green Transition by combining Roma inclusion, training government officials, and developing policies for a Just Transition. This project works to promote Roma inclusion in digital and green transitions in alignment with the 2020–2030 EU Roma Strategic Framework. The program's goal is to increase organization's abilities to handle obstacles while promoting Roma socioeconomic inclusion in transitions. Socioeconomic inclusion makes sure that everyone receives the same opportunities to participate in society and live a good life.

As part of Roma Integration Phase III, an online training session on the "Green Transition and Green Agenda Training Module I for Central Level Institutions" took place on December 6, 2024. The European Green Deal, circular economies, where products are reused, repaired, and recycled to minimize waste and conserve natural resources, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) models (a way to manage companies’ risks in relation to the planet and people), the need to include Roma in the Green Transition, and the development of suitable policies were among the program's key topics. The training's objective was to educate civil servants, non-political professionals working in government departments and public services in Turkey and the Western Balkans on sustainable development, a way of development that improves lives today without taking resources from future generations, environmental policy, and the Green Transition. Additional subjects including the Just Transition and Renewable Energy, energy from natural sources such as sunlight or wind, will be covered in the second section of the training. Since then, the initiative has held several sessions covering policy monitoring, digital platforms, and anti-discrimination. There is, however, limited information on whether the second training, known as "Green Transition Module II”, has occurred and whether any Roma would be included or simply subjects of discussion. Roma are frequently shown in these trainings as victims rather than active communities, limiting progress in both education and policy. Approaches which promote participation are necessary.

The National Employment Conference, held on May 7, 2025, in Skopje, North Macedonia, was organized by the Roma Integration III Project in cooperation with the Roma Economic Development Initiative (REDI). It brought together policymakers, Roma civil society groups, international partners, and private sector representatives to explore strategies for enhancing the economic integration of Roma through labor market policies, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The event highlighted that economically including Roma is not only a matter of social justice but also crucial for sustainable development. It provided a platform to assess existing employment programs, share successful practices, and create a future path for developing inclusive policies.

The second panel discussion at the conference concentrated on supporting traditional Roma businesses, promoting their shift towards green and digital markets and transitions, where technology is used to reduce environmental impact. Attendees emphasized the necessity of broadening access to innovation and digital support, which is help provided through online tools to ensure inclusion in funding opportunities, and providing mentorship and adaptation services for Roma-owned businesses. Developing craft training programs that integrate digital and green skills was identified as a promising strategy, with Roma youth securing half of all school competition awards in craftsmanship. The panelists also advocated for wider access to basic information and communication technology and foreign language education, recognizing these as essential for Roma involvement in digital transformation policies.

This conference directly encourages Roma craftsmanship and traditions to support inclusion in green and digital transitions. Although this recognition is important, it could go farther in also acknowledging that Roma traditional crafts contribute to waste management by using scraps and support circular economies through recycling practices.

EMPOWERING ROMA COMMUNITIES IN THE GREEN DEAL

Initiatives like the 2024 Green Roma Inclusion Program (GRIP) are being followed up on by the 2024–2026 European Climate Initiative (EUKI) project, "Empowering Roma Communities in the Green Deal.”

The project intends to guarantee marginalized Roma communities' (MRCs') involvement and inclusion in the Green Transition of Central Europe. In particular, to provide equal access to resources and opportunities through the use of inclusive techniques for sustainable development in six trial locations in Hungary and Slovakia. The project tackles the links between social exclusion of Roma, energy poverty, when a household must limit their energy use to a degree that is harmful to their health and wellbeing, and environmental injustice, where inequalities and discrimination allow communities to be unfairly exposed to environmental harm, using a bottom-up strategy to bridge the gap between EU sustainability targets and the realities of Roma communities. This approach ensures Roma communities are included in the EU’s Green Transition as active participants rather than passive victims.

Five elements form the basis of the strategy. Supporting communities in developing and implementing plans to incorporate excluded populations is part of capacity building. Developing nature-based solutions which use nature such as forests, wetlands, or coral reefs to solve environmental issues, and starting local social enterprises, businesses that use their profits to solve environmental or social problems, are examples of innovative solutions. Research on environmental injustices, such as residing close to hazardous locations or not having access to public services, might help guide policy. Populations can learn about environmental issues and Roma involvement in the Green Transition by collaborating with schools to enhance education. Finally, Roma may be able to amplify their voices in policy debates at the local, national, and EU levels through networking and advocacy.

The bottom-up approach directly includes Roma realities and experiences to ensure participation in projects and policymaking. This can create innovative solutions by recognizing Roma traditional crafts to support waste management and circular economies, contributing to sustainable development. This approach could also include Roma environmental adaptation strategies, actions taken to adjust to the impacts of climate change, to address environmental challenges and manage climate change due to marginalization to toxic sites and a lack of services to manage extreme conditions. Additionally, Roma practices, knowledge, and beliefs passed down through generations, or traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of environments can create innovative solutions for biodiversity conservation.

ROMA TRADITIONS CAN SUPPORT THE GREEN TRANSITION

Current projects are indeed working to include Roma in green and digital transitions. The initiatives are breaking the surface of including Roma traditional practices and knowledge to support sustainable development, circular economies, waste management, and environmental adaptation strategies.

Social justice can be achieved within the green transition by continuing to include Roma and other marginalized groups in conversations while recognizing their knowledge and lived experiences rather than using them as topics of conversation.