Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this fifth issue of the series, Verena Post, Miriam Wilke and Madita Hardegen discuss discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the EU.
Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!
Despite the EU’s formal commitment to equality, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities across Europe continue to face systematic antigypsyism and exclusion in key areas such as education, employment and healthcare. Many current initiatives remain symbolic and have limited impact due to weak enforcement and accountability. This policy brief assesses four strategic approaches to promoting inclusion against the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, coherence and EU added value. The findings suggest that only a comprehensive, long-term strategy combining structural reforms, participatory governance and robust monitoring can bridge the gap between EU values and the reality of the lives of GRT people.
Young Generation Policy Brief no. 5:
About the authors:
Verena Post
master’s student in European Studies
Verena Post is a master’s student in European Studies at the Europa-Universität Viadrina. She previously completed a bachelor’s degree in music business and then worked for several years in project management at a cultural institution and as a freelancer in the music scene. She is deeply committed to social justice, advocating for an inclusive and equitable society while focusing on the structural challenges faced by marginalized groups.
Miriam Wilke
master’s student in European Studies
Miriam Wilke is pursuing a Double-Master’s degree in European Studies at the European University Viadrina and Sciences Po Strasbourg, specializing in political science. She holds a double bachelor’s degree in French culture, language and literature, and political science. In addition to her studies, she works freelance in the social sector, where she is involved in association-based projects on social inclusion and minority rights. Miriam’s research interests lie at the intersection of EU policymaking and civic engagement. Her interdisciplinary background in cultural studies, social policy, and political science enables her to combine theoretical analyses with practical insights into structural inequalities and the empowerment of marginalized communities in the EU context.
MADITA HARDEGEN
master’s student in European Studies
Madita Hardegen is a master’s student in European Studies at Europa-Universität Viadrina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Geography and Urban Planning. She has experience working on education and empowerment projects focused on combating anti-Black racism, as well as in community work, project administration, and refugee support initiatives in Germany. Additionally, she has been involved in humanitarian aid efforts in Greece. Her research interests are EU-ECOWAS international relations and EU securitization policies regarding Islamic terrorism in Western Africa within a postcolonial framework.
ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs
Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. This first issue presents a guide for students with practical tips on how to write a policy brief. Furthermore, it is an introduction to the following series summarising the central stakes in the proclamation and contestation of European values.
