Hundreds of million in European Union funds have been used in projects that violate the rights of marginalised communities, according to a report. The report mentions projects like segregated housing for Roma, residential institutions for children with disabilities, and holding centres for asylum seekers.
The report was prepared by eight NGOs across Europe, focusing on 63 projects in six countries. These projects received more than €1 billion in funding from the European Union, suggesting a “low understanding” of fundamental rights across the bloc, according to one author.
The report, while focused on six countries, suggests that similar projects are likely widespread across the EU. It is “unacceptable” that funds provided by European citizens could be used to amplify the segregation and marginalisation of vulnerable communities.
Examples cited in the report include a school for disabled individuals in Greece, funded by the EU, yet not promoting inclusive education. Another example is a Romanian institution for disabled children, funded with €2.5 million, where children are placed in institutional care rather than supported to live with their families.
The report also highlights the construction of social housing for Roma in Romania in isolated areas with inadequate facilities, and reception centres for asylum seekers across Greece in remote locations with poor living conditions.
Reasons for millions of euros being allocated to such projects include a lack of understanding of fundamental rights among some governments and parts of the EU, according to Andor Urmos of Bridge EU.
The EU Commission was aware of the report’s findings and have procedures to terminate funding if violations of fundamental rights are found. Both the EU and its member states must ensure that projects incompatible with European values do not receive support.
Steven Allen from the Validity Foundation, a disability rights organisation, stated that the report reveals both EU member states and the Commission are failing to prevent EU taxpayer money from financing violations of marginalised groups’ rights.
The report’s release is timed ahead of the planning for the EU’s next budget, aiming to include the voices of marginalised communities in the decision-making process to unlock the transformative potential of EU funding.
EU funds can be a powerful tool to provide benefits to the most marginalised populations, fighting against the rise of nationalism and far-right extremism, but they must be more effectively targeted and monitored.
