Active participation of Roma. An experience of participatory planning toward labour integration

As in other European countries, the situation of Roma in Italy raises many concerns, especially in relation to their social exclusion. Moreover, despite a strong legislative framework, Roma, and in particular Roma women, suffer multiple discriminations. The experimental project Valore Lavoro shows the efficacy of a participatory approach in promoting the labour inclusion of one of the most excluded minorities in Europe. The direct involvement of Roma through a participatory bottom-up scheme in the design of initiatives addressing them and in the decision-making process represents a way towards effective inclusion in different fields and promotion of active citizenship.