The 2013 “What’s Working” report outlines a transnational EU-funded project involving organizations from the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands to improve educational inclusion for Roma children. Key goals included sharing best practices, addressing barriers like low school attendance and early dropout, and promoting holistic, community-driven strategies. Research emphasized the critical role of Roma involvement—through mediators and role models—in fostering trust and engagement. Challenges included policy disparities across EU countries, austerity-driven resource limitations, and the need for context-specific approaches. Spain’s long-standing use of Roma mediators, the UK’s community-focused support services, and the Netherlands’ efforts to build trust despite data gaps highlighted diverse strategies. The report stresses the importance of Roma participation in policymaking, sustainable funding, individualized support, and EU-wide policy coherence to address systemic discrimination and improve educational outcomes.
