In 2013, by decree of the President of Ukraine was approved the Strategy on the protection and integration of the Roma minority into Ukrainian society for the period until 2020. Within the Strategy, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the corresponding Action Plan, and executive authorities, in turn, have the task to develop and adopt regional action plans. But, according to Ukrainian and international experts, the government’s Action Plan has several shortcomings and needs serious revision.

In order to prepare recommendations to improve national policies on Roma, the International “Renaissance” Foundation in cooperation with the European Roma Rights Center from October 2014 to January 2015 held the monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy on the protection and integration of the Roma minority into Ukrainian society y for the period until 2020.

In the Transcarpathian and Volyn regions monitoring of the Action Plan of the National Strategy is held by the Charitable Fund “Progress”.

Partners in the project are: Cultural Enlightenment Roma Society of Svaliava District “Romani Yag”, Cultural Enlightenment Roma Society of Perechyn District “Romani Yag”, Cultural Enlightenment Roma Society “Romani Zor”, NGO “Protection Center and Association of Roma” (Luck).

The results of the project “Public monitoring of the Action Plan of the Strategy of protection and integration into the Ukrainian society of the Roma national minority in period before 2020” held by the Charitable Fund “Progress” will be:

1. Providing assessment of the implementation of Regional Action Plan for 2013 and 2014 in Transcarpathian and Volyn regions.

2. Providing assessment of conformity of the planned activities to real needs of members of the Roma minority.

3. Making recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the Action Plan by setting causes affecting the implementation of the Regional Action Plan in Transcarpathian and Volyn regions.

4. Preparation of recommendations to improve national policy on the Roma minority.

PS: The centers of legal information and advice that provide free legal aid to Roma people working with the support of the “Roma of Ukraine“, International “Renaissance” Foundation. To learn more about the activities of a network of centers, foundations and principles of work visit the website www.legalspace.org under “Legal Empowerment of Roma communities.” The views in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the International “Renaissance” Foundation and other civil, religious and political organizations and individuals.