Addressing these deep inequalities for the Roma is a key human rights issue, but also a smart economic strategy for the countries concerned: with the rapidly aging populations in Eastern Europe, up to 10-20 percent of new labor market entrants in these countries are young Roma. Getting this group into jobs would increase national GDP levels as well as government revenues substantially.
The World Bank Group is working with partner organizations to redress many of the main economic and social issues faced by Roma around the globe. The World Bank focuses on three key areas to address Roma issues in the context of its work on poverty and economic development in Eastern Europe by:building evidence through data collection, analysis and field work, and provide evidence-based policy lessons for Roma Inclusion; developing partnerships and strengthening institutions;
scaling up viable approaches and mainstreaming ethnicity into policy;In all of its work, the World Bank emphasizes partnerships with international and local organizations, bringing diverse interests and stakeholders together. Partnerships have been established with the European Commission, UNDP, UNICEF, national governments, and civil society organizations like the Open Society Institute and REF. Many areas of engagement are also at the heart of Europe's 2020 strategy for Smart and Inclusive Growth.