A/HRC/29/24 100. Governments must ensure that sufficient funding is dedicated to improving the situation of Roma communities. Funds allocated at regional and national level, as well as other financial instruments, should be expended efficiently and directed to the local level. Effective Roma participation and representation at all levels of decision-making 101. Creating conditions for the effective participation of Roma in all aspects of the life of the State, including in decision-making bodies, should be considered by States as an integral aspect of good governance and a key priority in efforts to ensure equality and non-discrimination. 102. Governments should ensure that Roma are represented at all levels of public institutions and bodies, including national parliaments, the civil service, the police and the judiciary. Where Roma leaders are visible, their work should be promoted and they should be supported to act as role models and raise awareness of Roma political participation. 103. National human rights institutions should put in place specific mechanisms to address Roma issues and recruit and retain Roma staff. They are encouraged to develop outreach programmes that increase Roma participation in political, economic, social and cultural life. They should ensure that Roma are both involved in and have access to their programmes, including complaint mechanisms, and ensure that materials are available in the Romani language. 104. Governments, the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and other international and regional organizations should mainstream Roma rights into all aspects of their programming and make efforts to include Roma within their staff. 105. Roma and pro-Roma civil society organizations play a crucial role in breaking down the barriers preventing the effective participation of Roma in all spheres of life. Stakeholders are encouraged to collaborate and support those organizations, including through providing adequate financial support. 106. Successful Roma-controlled programmes that address issues of health, education and other areas of concern in ways that are culturally appropriate and adapted to local needs should be supported and replicated. Role of the media 107. Traditional and new media have the potential to promote intercultural dialogue between Roma and non-Roma communities. The media should promote nonstereotypical portrayals of Roma, including through providing greater visibility to Roma self-representation, history and culture. 108. The participation of Roma media professionals should be encouraged and programmes to train, recruit and support Roma media workers should be implemented. The media must guarantee that they do not contribute to or allow hate speech and incitement to hatred or violence. Data collection 109. Data collection should be based on self-identification and take place in a sensitive manner, respecting privacy in accordance with international standards of data protection. Roma civil society, individuals and communities should be involved throughout the process, from designing data collection methods to collection and analysis of the data. 22