AGE and ERIO (European Roma Information Office) have issued a joint paper which summaries the material gathered by Maryana Borisova, a researcher of Roma background, who carried out a series of interviews among older Roma and Sinti communities in Bulgaria, Germany, Italy andPoland during summer 2010 for AGE.
These four countries were chosen to present different national contexts that illustrate the varying situations which older Roma experience. This field research brought together the observations and experiences of a cross-section of older Roma women and men and gave them the opportunity to voice how they as older Roma feel that their situations should be improved. A ‘wish list’ of their hopes and aspirations is included within this short paper.
Our aim is to present a brief but realistic picture of some of the challenges that older Roma are struggling against and the barriers that are preventing them from enjoying the fundamental rights that are afforded to all people living in the EU. We hope that this will be a first step to raising awareness about some of the most problematic issues that older Roma individuals are facing and we will focus on issues surrounding their employment, decent housing, adequate income in old age, and health and long-term care.
This executive summary is the precursor to a broader position paper that will build on these interviews and on reflections among AGE and ERIO members.
For further details, please contact Rachel Buchanan, Policy Officer for Employment and Non-Discrimination, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
[1] AGE and ERIO thank Maryana Borisova for her research among Roma communities in Bulgaria, Germany, Italy and Poland during summer 2010.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 March 2011 16:24
