On 21 July 2026, the Council of Europe project “Supporting the reform of the national minority legal framework and the resilience of national minorities and Roma in Ukraine” convened an online meeting of the International Roma Coordination Group, bringing together around 50 participants representing national authorities, local administrations, international organisations, development partners and civil society. The meeting focused on progress in implementing national policies and the legal framework for the protection of Roma rights in Ukraine, as well as the implications of Ukraine’s EU accession process for advancing Roma inclusion and equality. Particular attention was paid to the practical impact of negotiations under Cluster 1 (“Fundamentals”), which covers key rule of law, human rights and anti-discrimination commitments.
Opening the meeting, Zemfira Kondur, Project Manager of the Council of Europe Office underlined the importance of strengthening coordination among national and local stakeholders and ensuring that policy discussions translate into tangible improvements for Roma communities.
Participants reviewed recent developments in the area of strategic planning and European integration, as well as the implementation of state policies concerning national minorities and Roma. Presentations were delivered by representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine on Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), and the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
Natalia Panchuk, Head of the Department of Strategic Planning and European Integration at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, emphasized the need to actively involve regional state (military) administrations and local self-government bodies in implementing the measures outlined in Section 23 of the Roadmap, since it is at the regional level that Ukraine’s commitments in the EU accession process are actually carried out. It was emphasized that it is important not only to report properly to the European Commission but also to achieve real, positive changes for members of national minorities, particularly the Roma community. The importance of effective coordination among all relevant authorities and of continuing efforts to improve the relevant mechanisms for cooperation was also noted.
The discussion also highlighted experiences from the local level. Representatives of Kirovohrad, Transcarpathia and Vinnytsia regional administrations shared practical examples of implementing Roma-related policies, identifying both successful approaches and persistent challenges. Participants exchanged views on how local experiences can better inform national policymaking and support Ukraine’s commitments within the EU accession framework.
International organisations and development partners presented ongoing initiatives supporting Roma inclusion and discussed opportunities for enhanced coordination and cooperation.
The meeting concluded with agreement on the need to further strengthen structured coordination among stakeholders, identify implementation gaps, and promote practical, results-oriented measures aimed at advancing Roma rights and social inclusion across Ukraine.
The International Roma Coordination Group serves as a platform for dialogue, information exchange and cooperation among international organisations to promote the rights of Roma in Ukraine.
