European Parliament, European Commission and CEB launch pilot project to support affordable housing for Roma in Slovak Republic

Spišská Nová Ves/Rudňany – Representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), together with local authorities, Roma communities and private sector organisations, launched today an innovative pilot project to support affordable housing solutions for Roma in the Slovak Republic.

Known as the “Housing and Empowerment for Roma” (HERO), the initiative is funded by the European Parliament, managed by the European Commission, and implemented by the CEB, together with local partners in the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria, and Romania. The project aims to test an innovative social investment model to address the socio-economic exclusion of disadvantaged people, such as marginalised Roma.

HERO will support cross-sectoral partnerships, bringing together public authorities, financial institutions and social organisations that would lead to improved local governance and socio-economic empowerment of Roma. The project will facilitate Roma’s access to micro-loans and financial literacy training, construction skills, and employment coaching and mentoring, which are expected to result in better housing, employment and improved living conditions. Social innovation approaches will catalyse employment solutions and promote community-led development.

“I am proud that the European Commission is implementing this EU pilot project in support of disadvantaged Roma communities, as part of its broader social impact investment initiatives,” said European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni. “I hope this will serve as a blueprint for further national and European programmes supporting inclusion and resilience, like the InvestEU Programme. I am pleased that we are collaborating with the European Parliament and the Council of Europe Development Bank in this important endeavour.”

The implementing local partners of HERO in the Slovak Republic are Slovenská Sporiteľňa a.s. (SLSP) in collaboration with Projekt DOM.ov. Their project will focus on the following municipalities: Dobšiná (Rožňava district), Jelšava (Revúca district), Kamenná Poruba (Vranov nad Topľou district), Podhorany (Kežmarok district), and Rudňany (Spišská Nová Ves district).

“The HERO project, which helps Roma to live in dignity, was created as a cooperation between the private and non-profit sector and local municipalities,” explained said Rastislav Blažej, responsible for the HERO program at Slovenská sporiteľňa. “It is full of stories about people who have decided to do something for their better future, as well as about experts in social work who accompany Roma people on their journey towards their own housing, better living standards, and financial literacy. I am proud that Slovenská sporiteľňa together with the non-profit organization Projekt Domov and other partners have developed this sustainable solution that contributes to better life for people in Slovakia. Our goal is not only to help, but also to encourage people to believe in their future in Slovakia.”

The available funding for the implementation of HERO in Slovak Republic stands at €1.02 million.

Peter Pollák, Member of the European Parliament, said: “Improving the living conditions of the Roma is the key to their successful integration into society. The ambition of the HERO pilot project is to enable vulnerable groups to finance their own housing through a loan to be repaid. It is a self-help construction project, which is also intended to help build their skills and be employed in the labour market.”

Tomáš Zdechovský, Member of the European Parliament, added: “With this project, we want to radically change the situation of the poorest inhabitants of Slovakia. Decent housing associated with work and education is the basis of change. If the programme proves successful, we will extend it to the whole of Europe.”

Vladimir Šucha, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovak Republic, said: “HERO is about an innovative way to support access to housing for vulnerable Roma communities. It is also about learning and building the evidence of what works as targeted development interventions. We also hope to help change broader narratives about poverty and empowerment. This is encoded in the pilot’s name: HERO is about helping some of Europe’s most vulnerable citizens to become the agents and “heroes” of their own lives.”