2012年-世界发展银行全球_Reducing_Vulnerability_and_Promoting_the_Self-Employment_of_Roma_in_Eastern_Europe_through_Financial_Inclusion_81页_4mb

Summary of "Reducing Vulnerability and Promoting the Self-Employment of Roma in Eastern Europe Through Financial Inclusion"

Core Content

This report, prepared by the World Bank and based on data from the UNDP/World Bank/EC regional Roma 2011 survey, examines the financial inclusion and self-employment potential of Roma in Eastern Europe. It highlights the significant vulnerability of Roma households and explores how financial inclusion can serve as a tool to improve their economic conditions and promote self-employment.

Main Points

1. Vulnerability of Roma Households

• Roma in Eastern Europe face high levels of poverty and vulnerability.
• In all five surveyed countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic), a large majority of Roma live in poverty.
• Over one-third of Roma households in four countries report at least one person going to bed hungry in the previous month, with 56% in Romania.
• Roma are more likely to face arrears on utility bills, loans, and mortgages than non-Roma neighbors.
• Low education levels, poor health, and discrimination contribute to their vulnerability.

2. Financial Exclusion Among Roma

• Roma households have limited access to basic financial services such as current and savings accounts.
• In the EU, only about 87% of households use current accounts, but in Eastern Europe, Roma usage is much lower.
  • Czech Republic: 47%
  • Hungary: 35%
  • Slovakia: 29%
  • Bulgaria: 4%
  • Romania: 6%
• Less than 5% of Roma households have savings accounts, compared to non-Roma.
• Roma are less likely to use formal financial instruments, even when controlling for background characteristics.
• The report emphasizes the importance of savings for managing income shocks and investing in education, health, and business.

3. Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship

• There is considerable interest in self-employment among Roma, but rates remain low.
• Self-employment rates vary by country:
  • Romania: 45% of employed men
  • Bulgaria: 45% of employed women
  • Hungary: 5% of employed men
  • Czech Republic: 14% of employed men
  • Slovakia: 14% of employed men
• Roma women have lower self-employment rates than men, and many are not in the labor force.
• Barriers to self-employment include lack of access to finance, limited business skills, and poor economic conditions.

4. Microcredit and Its Role

• Microcredit is seen as a potential tool to promote self-employment among Roma.
• However, the report argues that microcredit alone is insufficient to significantly increase self-employment rates.
• Roma entrepreneurs face multiple barriers to accessing microcredit, including:
  • Low savings
  • High levels of indebtedness
  • Low education
  • Limited business experience
• The Hungarian Kiút Program is highlighted as an example of a successful microcredit initiative that includes support for tax registration, business training, and access to formal financial services.

5. Comprehensive Financial Inclusion Strategy

• A multi-pronged and incremental approach is recommended to address financial inclusion among Roma.
• Key components include:
  • Access to bank accounts: Especially basic payment accounts.
  • Targeted savings: Encouraging savings for specific purposes such as education or housing.
  • Financial literacy and debt management: Essential for informed financial decision-making.
  • Business skills training: To improve the viability of self-employment.
  • Mainstream microcredit access: Supporting Roma entrepreneurs through partnerships with traditional financial institutions.
  • Monitoring and evaluation: To track progress and ensure effectiveness.

6. EU and International Initiatives

• The EU has supported several initiatives to promote financial inclusion and microcredit among Roma, including:
  • JASMINE (Joint Action to Support micro-finance Institutions in Europe)
  • JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises)
  • PROGRESS and CIP (Competitiveness and Innovation Framework)
• The report also references international examples such as:
  • M-Pesa (Kenya): A mobile financial service that enables savings and payments.
  • Bank on San Francisco (USA): A program that integrates government, private sector, and civil society to promote financial inclusion.
  • Correspondent Banking (Brazil): A model for reaching rural populations through local agents.
  • Graduation Approach (CGAP-Ford Foundation): A program that supports poor households through a sequence of financial, social, and economic interventions.

Key Information

• Survey Scope: The report is based on a survey of Roma households and non-Roma in five Eastern European countries, representing 78–90% of the Roma population.
• Data Sources: Utilizes EU SILC (European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions) for comparison with general populations.
• Main Authors: Joost de Laat (lead author), Rosen Asenov, Stefan Hut, Barbara Kits, and Federico Torracchi.
• Funding: Provided by the European Commission DG Regional Policy and the Nordic Trust Fund.
• Collaboration: The report was closely coordinated with the FRA Roma pilot survey 2011.

Conclusion

Financial inclusion is critical for reducing vulnerability and promoting self-employment among Roma in Eastern Europe. While microcredit can play a supportive role, it must be part of a broader strategy that includes access to basic financial services, targeted savings, financial literacy, and business skills training. The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, incremental approach to ensure that Roma can benefit from financial tools that enhance their economic resilience and opportunities.