In conducting the 2009 assessment, NDI brought to bear its experience of marrying political research to development goals, as well as its relationships with key political actors in Romania, in the Roma community, and in the international community. The assessment drew upon quantitative and qualitative tools, including desk research, public opinion polls, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and an assessment mission in Romania, featuring topical experts. In assessing the barriers to Roma political participation, NDI examined five subject areas: 1) the legal frameworks that protect and guarantee minority participation; 2) access to government and legislative structures; 3) the role of political parties in aggregating and promoting Roma interests; 4) civil society as a vehicle for advocacy and legislative activism; and, 5) public opinion among Roma and non-Roma, as well as social structures within the Roma community Main findings: Romania has made definite progress in integrating Roma into the country’s political life in the past 20 years, but there are still significant barriers that require attention before Roma can be considered full and active participants in the country’s political system. For Roma, the largest ethnic minority in Romania, social attitudes toward and among Roma present the greatest barriers to civic engagement, party outreach and policy debate. “These attitudinal and motivational barriers will require a long-term commitment to address and resolve”. Romania’s system of legal protection for human rights is well established and does not appear to be the primary barrier to political participation or socio-economic advancement among Roma. However, questions surrounding compliance, implementation, and enforcement do hinder the quality and quantity of Roma participation. For example, provisions within Romania’s constitution