IGC will have a million euros for new skills

O Government envisages EUR 1 million in the Commission's budget for Citizenship and Gender Equality (IGC) to take on new competences and develop a strategy for Roma communities, which has not existed since 2023.

The announcement was made by the Secretary of State, Youth and Equality, who explained that the money will enable the IGC to accommodate the powers previously assigned to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (IAMA), in particular in the fight against discrimination, racism and xenophobia.

According to Carla Rodrigues, who, together with the Minister of Culture, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, was in parliament because of the discussion of the State Budget for 2027 (OE2027), the amount is also intended to create a new team of work and to develop the new strategic framework for the integration of Roma communities, as well as the National Plan to Combat Racism.

The governor explained that the allocation of EUR 1 million aims to ensure the necessary means for the exercise of these new tasks, including human resources and the development of national strategic instruments.

The Secretary of State acknowledged that Portugal is still without a national strategy for the integration of Roma communities, a situation that has lasted since 2023, but stated that the Government is working on a new document.

Carla Rodrigues recalled that the former Executive developed several preparatory initiatives, through a participatory methodology involving experts, civil society organizations and representatives of Roma communities.

“ We are working on it”, he assured, without advancing a date for the conclusion or presentation of the new strategy.

With regard to the National Plan to Combat Racism, he announced that the Government decided to extend its validity until 30 June 2027.