Today, Romania celebrates 167 years since the emancipation of the Roma through the law "Legislation for the emancipation of all Gypsies from the Romanian Principality" promulgated on February 20, 1856 by ruler Barbu Dimitrie Ştirbei, ruler of the Romanian Land, this marking the last legal step in the direction of the emancipation of the Roma in the Romanian Principalities .

While Roma families faced discrimination and violence even after emancipation, including their deportation and killing during the Holocaust, gaining freedom was a vital first step on the road to inclusion, a struggle that continues today. There are still, both at European and national level, challenges related to the level of access to educational and health services, the standard of living, respect for the principles related to non-discrimination and equal opportunities.

These challenges are recognized both at the European level through the European Union's Strategic Framework on Roma equality, inclusion and participation, and at the national level through the Romanian Government's Strategy for the inclusion of Romanian citizens belonging to the Roma minority for the period 2022-2027. The strategic frameworks converge to ensure social equity and equality in all areas.

"In order for the inclusion of the Roma to be realized, the existence of an institutional framework is needed, but also the involvement and participation of all citizens, hoping that one day, the prejudices of the past will be replaced with respect and equality.

The Ministry of Investments and European Projects makes all the necessary efforts to capitalize on good practices in the field of social inclusion and to eliminate all prejudices and stereotypes regarding Roma communities. We want European funds to be an important element for achieving the objectives of the new strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation. In this sense, a series of Programs such as the Inclusion and Social Dignity and the Education and Employment programs will directly contribute to improving the situation of the Roma through allocations dedicated to inclusion measures." stated Mrs. Cecilia Văduva, Deputy General Secretary within MIPE and Coordinator of the National Contact Point for Roma.