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Twinning activities for Roma integration

Twinnings are developed with local and regional authorities in order to lead concrete measures in Roma integration locally and encouraging the development of a EU wider network.

Roma in Karviná

The Czech mining town of Karviná is situated East of Ostrava, near the Polish border. Karviná has a population of 62,000, with an estimated 2,500-3,000 Roma. Most of the Roma live in the Nové Město district, a neighbourhood with poor quality housing as well as social and public order problems.

Main challenges

The town of Karviná has some of the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the country and with the ongoing decline of traditional industries, these are set to rise.

Roma unemployment in the town is estimated at 80%, while the education level among Roma is low. Other social problems that are faced by the Roma community include

  • heavy dependence on social benefits and growing indebtedness (linked to private loans)
  • increasing drug abuse
  • tensions with the majority population

Karviná has expressed an interest in looking at public order issues, housing and education within the for Roma with Roma programme.