Roma and Travellers Division and Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) partnered up to launch the Council of Europe’s Strategy for Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2026–2030) at a cross-party parliamentary event hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma (APPGGTR).
The event, held at Portcullis House, Westminster and chaired by Mary K Foy MP (APPGGTR Chair), drew together parliamentarians, Council of Europe representatives, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller civil society organisations, local authorities, and government departments, as well as delegates from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The broad coalition of stakeholders underlined the drive for meaningful change for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across the United Kingdom.
Eleni Tsetsekou, Head of the Roma and Travellers Division at the Council of Europe, and Georgios Stamatis, Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) General Rapporteur on Roma and Travellers, presented an overview of the new Strategy and the obligations it places on member states. The Strategy sets out ambitious priorities across education, anti-discrimination, cultural recognition, and community participation—areas where Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in the UK continue to face systemic disadvantage.
Voices from across the devolved nations added vital perspective to the discussion. Allison Hulmes, Senior Lecturer at Swansea University and Romani and Traveller representative at the International Federation of Social Workers, reflected on progress in Wales in tackling racism and discrimination, and on what still needs to be done.
With Gypsy, Roma and Traveller civil society at the heart of the event, Esther Stubbs of GTRSB into Schools (and Trustee at FFT) showcased ‘The Pledge’, a civil society-led initiative supporting schools and higher education institutions to create genuinely inclusive environments for Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showman and Boater learners. Mihai Bica, Policy and Campaigns Coordinator at Roma Support Group, spoke powerfully on the urgent need to increase awareness of Roma and Traveller communities and to combat anti-Gypsyism and the need for a strategic approach. Josie O’Driscoll, CEO of GATE Herts, also brought lived experience to the room, describing the racism and prejudice Gypsy and Traveller communities continue to face and the need for sustained action to address the inequalities.
Throughout the event, speakers delivered powerful and compelling contributions that reinforced the clear need to translate the Strategy into meaningful action.
On the Strategy for Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2026–2030), Eleni Tsetsekou, Head of the Roma and Travellers Division at the Council of Europe said:
“The Strategy for Roma and Traveller Inclusion 2026–2030 builds on more than five decades of Council of Europe expertise in advancing effective policies for Roma and Travellers. By bringing together allies, institutions and communities, we aim to consolidate progress achieved so far and create new opportunities for inclusion, equality and participation across Europe.”
Abbie Kirkby, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Friends, Families and Travellers added:
“The Council of Europe Strategy provides an important framework that the UK Government and devolved administrations must now translate into real improvements in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people’s lives. Bringing together parliamentarians, government officials, local authorities and community representatives from across the UK is an important step. Lasting progress, however, will depend on sustained leadership and action.”
Mary K Foy MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma said:
“It was a privilege to chair today’s event and to hear directly from Council of Europe representatives, community leaders and advocates about what this Strategy means and the work that lies ahead. Parliament has a critical role to play in holding government to account on its commitments, and the APPG will continue to do exactly that.”
