The Slovakia Movement criticizes the use of EU funds intended for Roma communities

Bratislava – The Hnutie Slovensko movement criticizes the drawing of one billion euros from EU funds intended for improving living conditions in Roma communities in Slovakia. According to them, projects are being funded that have no real impact on improving the situation in settlements. Representatives of the movement called on the government to revise the action plans for the years 2025 to 2027, to stop funding projects without real impact, and to conduct an independent audit. They also appealed to the European Commission to closely monitor the use of these funds, TASR reports.

“Some soft projects are being created here, various training sessions, educational courses, or activities that do not actually help the Roma, and simply create opportunities for these funds to be misused,” said National Council (NR) SR member Peter Pollák Jr. at a press conference on Tuesday.

Former MEP and government commissioner for Roma communities Peter Pollák Sr. cited as an example 20 million euros allocated for a Roma media house in Banská Bystrica, 60 million for planting trees in settlements in 25 municipalities, and nine million for informative meetings about social enterprises. He reminded of the conditions in which tens of thousands of children in Roma settlements live. “They live without water, without sewage, without access roads, in homes made of metal and clay,” he outlined.

NR SR member Lukáš Bužo also criticized the approach of the current government commissioner for Roma communities, Alexander Daško. “What will we gain from educating when a person has nowhere to wash, nowhere to sleep?” he stated. He also pointed out that since 2018, civic associations connected with the commissioner have drawn more than 550,000 euros from the Fund for the Support of National Minority Culture.

“Since the beginning of this government, your civic associations have received a total of 133,000 euros, which your family received,” Bužo added, stating that the funds should be used to ensure water, housing, sewage, roads, or work and education for children. (May 13)