The Strategy is, in this context, a platform for the development of a broad and articulate intervention, where the several ministries, municipal districts, civil society organisations, academy and Roma Communities, among others, actively contribute to the achievement of the set goals.

Due to the scarcity of research and information about the Roma Communities, in order to create a robust diagnosis, evaluate the dynamics and the results of the Strategy and achieve a deep knowledge of the matter, the ENICC predicts, in its Crosscutting Pillar, Priority 2, the creation of the “Observatory of the Roma Communities” to promote the realization and publication of studies on the Roma Communities.

Through this, the Observatory of Roma Communities contributes not only to the fulfillment of some of the measures intended within the Strategy, but also to the design, implementation and evaluation of the public policies in this domain. Thus it aims to become an engine for the creation of academic, scientific and institutional cooperation laws and regulations, as well as for the dialogue between the academy and the political decision makers.

The Observatory of Roma Communities (ObCig) has the following functions:

a) Help with the creation of public policies for the Roma population from or residing in Portugal.

b) Promote and do research in strategic areas with the knowledge and integration of the Roma population in mind, within an equality perspective.

c) Contribute to the deconstruction of stereotypes, mainly through participating in conferences, seminars, workshops and professional development courses.

d) Promote constructive dialogue between the academy and the political decision makers in order to increase equal opportunities and human rights with the Roma population at its core.

e) Continue with the “Olhares” (Looks) Collection, publishing completed scientific research (results of research projects, master or doctoral theses) in print edition, with a particular interest in the awareness of Roma communities and sustained political decision.

f) Create the ObCig Studies Collection in print edition, with no detriment to the creation of other collections, for the purpose of promoting the development of thematic scientific research in the Strategy’s areas (or similar).

g) Make completed and unpublished research available, such as master dissertations and doctoral theses, on the ObCig website.

h) Promote the layout of brochures that contribute to scientifically supported deconstruction of stereotypes. 

i) Promote national and international conferences, namely in the several areas of the National Strategy for the Integration of Roma Communities (ENICC).

j) Establish a network of partnerships with national and international Research Centres.

k) Participate in international research projects that seek to further existing awareness or produce new knowledge about the Roma community in a compared perspective.

l) Participate in academic scientific and social promotion and dissemination networks.

m) Create an international network of partnerships with non-governmental agencies that work with the Roma population and, on a global scale, with problems related to Human Rights.

n) Create a scientific and informative Newsletter.

o) Participate in national and international congresses, conferences and seminars, disseminating the scientific activity of the ObCig and public policies for the integration of the Roma population.

p) Participate in relevant international meetings regarding the objectives of the ObCig and the High Commissioner for Migrations.