The round table, organised by the NGO CEDEM and Open Society Institute from Budapest, marked presentation of the Draft Study on effects of the IPA I cycle to Roma and Egyptian integration in Montenegro, as well as discussions regarding recommendations for promotion of availability of EU funds for the needs of social inclusion of Roma and Egyptian communities.

The purpose of today’s gathering of representatives of state institutions, numerous NGOs and international organisations dealing with the issue of Roma and Egyptian situation in Montenegro, actually represents contribution to awareness raising on the significance of including civil sector in the process of planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of IPA funds through initiating a dialogue on possibilities for promotion of Roma and Egyptian social and economic inclusion via a new IPA cycle envisaged for the period 2014 to 2020.

The participants at the round table emphasised the significance of employment, health care, education, as well as housing conditions of members of the Roma and Egyptian communities, and they agreed upon frequency of the meetings of this type, which have the topic of defining the Roma legal status, issues of anti-discrimination, gender equality and inclusion of youth. Having concluded that the European Union is supportive toward the Roma population, it was emphasised that Montenegro as a state must be a carrier of change. On the other hand, it was assessed that the issue of promotion of Roma and Egyptian position is two-way in the sense of sustainability of results of the undertaken activities, because engagement of the state as well as the community itself trying to be included in the society is needed.