Costel Bercus is a Romanian Roma who was the first Chairman of the Roma Education Fund, an NGO established in the framework of the Decade of Roma Inclusion by the Open Society Institute and the World Bank in 2005. Before that, he was the executive director of Romani CRISS, the leading NGO in Romania fighting for Roma rights in the past. Since June 2024 he is a Senior Adviser on EU policies at the President’s Cabinet of the Roma Party in Romania (Partida Romilor „Pro Europa”). Mr Bercus holds a MA in Sociology from the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest, Romania.
The Roma Team Leader at the European Commission (Dan Doghi) will not be receiving an extension. With approximately 32,000 employees, the European Commission manages essential European matters, including those concerning the Roma population. As one of the largest EU institutions overseeing the EU budget and policies, individuals from various nationalities and ethnic backgrounds work together to tackle Europe’s challenges. Unfortunately, Roma individuals have often been marginalized or excluded from opportunities to work alongside their fellow Europeans under the European Commission.
Addressing social exclusion and discrimination, Roma issues were once a top priority for the EU. The Decade for Roma Inclusion, launched in 2005, aimed to promote Roma matters within both governments and EU agendas. The Open Society Foundation provided funding for supporting internship programs at the European Commission for young Roma professionals. Selected through a competitive process, these interns worked across different DGs, funded by George Soros. The goal was to develop the necessary skills for Roma individuals to become full-fledged Commission staff, providing the expertise vital for advancing Roma policies. Despite these efforts, the recent termination of the contract of a highly skilled and knowledgeable Roma professional managing the Roma team under DG Justice is a step back for the European Commission. This decision has left many Roma professionals disheartened, as they work hard to excel and contribute to society, only to face racism and discriminatory practices in the professional world. The lack of commitment from the European Commission in supporting Roma professionals is an issue that needs to be addressed to foster diversity and inclusion within the EU institution.
The absence of Roma members in the current European Parliament is a concerning situation that reflects the political landscape and challenges faced by the Roma community in European countries. Given the rise of extremist political parties in many European nations, including France, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Eastern Europe, there is a growing concern about Roma voters aligning with these far-right movements. The vulnerability and marginalization of the Roma community have made them susceptible to manipulation and influence from these undemocratic groups, leading to their support at the ballot box. This phenomenon raises questions about the future of Roma individuals and their potential contributions to society, as they may inadvertently empower radical and extremist political parties through their votes. Despite the absence of Roma representatives in the European Parliament, the focus should be on addressing the underlying issues of marginalization and vulnerability that make Roma individuals susceptible to exploitation by extremist groups.
In the past decade, Roma advocacy and funding for policies have regressed from the progress made two decades ago. Previously, there was a concerted effort by a generation of Roma organizations to push for Roma policies and funding within EU institutions, with active participation in European conferences and events. However, today the European Commission seems to downplay Roma issues by organizing occasional events or weeks focused on Roma without making substantial progress. This perception has led to the belief that Roma concerns are no longer considered a priority. Politicians often only address Roma issues in times of crisis, without a long-term strategy or commitment to the future of the 12 million European Roma. To truly advance in European societies and secure a better future, Roma individuals need to be more demanding, organized, and strategic in their approach. It is essential to learn from past experiences and act prudently to bring about meaningful change for the Roma community in Europe.
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