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MEASURES SOLVING THE PROBLEMS WITH UNEMPLOYED “ETHNIC GROUP” AND STRATEGY DOCUMENTS, GOOD PRACTICES FOR INTEGRATION OF VULNERABLE MINORITY GROUPS WITH A

SPECIAL FOCUS ON ROMA

Evelina DOSEVA Chief Expert

Directorate of "Ethnic and Demographic Issues" Council of Ministers, Bulgaria

I. POPULATION IN BULGARIA

The Bulgarian society is multi-ethnic. As per the 2001 census out of 7,973,673 of the total

Bulgarian population, some 4.6% (358,815) identified themselves as Roma and 9.5% (757,499) as

of Turkish ethnic origin on a 2% representation basis.

For the last years a steady trend has been observed of a decrease in the country’s population

number. The impact that social and economic factors exerted on living conditions resulted in

considerable changes in the demographic behaviour of the population which led to negative natural

growth.

The decrease in the population number and deterioration of population’s age profile are the main

problems with regard to the demographic development of the country. In the end of 2005 Bulgaria’s

permanent population was calculated to be 7 718 750 people1. For a period of only one year the

population has decreased by 42 299 people or 0.5% compared to 2004 since the mortality rates

exceeded the birth rates. For the period 2000-2005 the population number decreased by 5.3% or by

430 718 people. This negative trend is determined by factors such as negative natural growth and

external migration.

1 Source: NSI.

2

Population as of 31.12. by years and by gender

5 000 000

5 500 000

6 000 000

6 500 000

7 000 000

7 500 000

8 000 000

8 500 000

9 000 000

1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

number

3 400 000

3 600 000

3 800 000

4 000 000

4 200 000

4 400 000

4 600 000

Total Men (right scale) Women (right scale)

In the period 2000-2005 the number of working-age population2 (age group 15-64 years) declined

by 263.2 thousand. This negative trend is due primarily to the low birth rate, population ageing and

migration processes. The observed downward trends for the population number in the last years

determine the need for continuing the implementation of the policy aimed at increasing the

population’s economic activity. Increased economic activity will supply the labour force needed for

development of the economy (see Annex 1).

The political and economic reforms initiated in 1990 were accompanied by sharp falls in economic

activity and a sharp increase in unemployment and poverty. The social impact of reforms in

Bulgaria was particularly high compared to other Central and Eastern European countries due to

frequent political changes and a lack of decisiveness in policies related to the restructuring of the

economy coupled with incoherent macro-economic policies.

Unemployment and poverty particularly hit the Roma ethnic group. The concentration of those

ethnic minorities in certain areas and in declining economic activities resulted in the emergence of 2 Source: NSI (Labour Force Survey).

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pockets of unemployment and poverty in several parts of the country and in many Bulgarian towns.

Over the last ten years, the rates of unemployment among Roma have been systematically higher

that those for ethnic Bulgarians and those groups constitute a large share of the long-term

unemployed.

The Roma minority continues to suffer discrimination due to the accumulation over time of factors

that have worsened their living conditions. There is political commitment from the government to

remedy their problems, but more effort must be put into translating this into concrete action and

major efforts and resources will be required to reverse the situation of discrimination, poor living

conditions, economic hardship, chronic unemployment, poor health care, appalling housing

conditions and lack of effective access to education. Though the Turkish minority is better

integrated into political life through elected representation at national and local levels also a number

of problems (particularly unemployment) persist.

Roma community in Bulgaria is not homogeneousness and the differences are conditioned by large

number of indicators – historical /time of arriving and settling/, manner of living, language (Roma

language at the moment is rarely used and this is a result from the assimilation policy implemented

till 1989), religion, etc.

The level of unemployment is difficult to be estimated. On one hand it is difficult because the exact

number of Roma population is unknown and on the other hand the unemployment registers do not

contain statistical information on ethnic principle. The unemployment rate in 2005 amongst Roma

population reaches 60%. Considerable part of Roma registered in the “Labour Office” Directorates

is long-term unemployed (over 1 year). In comparison with Bulgarians and Turks, the persons in

pre, below and in working age among Roma form the biggest percentage. At the same time the

percentage of unemployment among Roma is much higher. The disadvantage of Roma is connected

with their lower education and qualification.

The received data for the socio-demographic characteristics of Roma community in Bulgaria3

compared to those of the other two main /taken as number/ ethnic groups – Bulgarians and Turks –

clearly mark a variety of specifics

3 Study conducted by “Partners Bulgaria”-“Roma community in Bulgaria – Employment and Independence”, assigned by MLSP and supported by the American Agency for International Development

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Table 1. Socio-demographic profiles of the examined individuals according ethnic affiliation

(%)

Ethic affiliation Socio-demographic characteristics

Bulgarians Turks Roma

Sex:

Male 48,1 50,0 43,3

Female 51,9 50,0 56,7

Age limits

16 - 25 9,3 14,4 24,5

26 - 39 22,5 36,4 31,4

40 - 59 33,1 32,6 32,5

60 + 35,1 16,7 11,6

Working age

In working age 66,6 84,1 89,4

Over working age 33,4 15,9 10,6

Employment

Employed 43,5 31,5 19,8

Unemployed 13,1 46,9 53,7

Pensioners 40,4 20,0 17,7

Other unemployed 2,9 1,5 8,8

Education

Illiterate 0,8 11,4 16,0

Elementary school 9,2 19,7 35,3

Primary school 25,1 43,2 39,6

Secondary school 45,6 25,0 9,1

Higher than secondary school 19,3 0,8 0,0

Religion

Christian 89,0 3,0 47,8

Muslim 2,0 93,2 32,2

Not religious 7,1 1,5 12,3

Place of residence

Village 26,4 43,2 34,5

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Small town 26,7 28,8 34,2

Big town 34,1 27,3 27,3

Sofia 12,7 0,8 4,1

Marital status

Live alone 11,9 3,0 4,5

Family without children 51,1 31,8 20,8

Family with children 34,6 62,9 72,0

Average monthly income per member of the family

Average monthly income per member of the family 114,51

BGN 68,91 BGN 45,66 BGN

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Table 1. Socio-demographic profiles of Roma in and over working age (%)4

Възраст Socio-demographic profiles

In working age (16 - 60) Over working age (61+)

Total 89,4 10,6

Sex

Male 43,2 43,6

Female 56,8 56,4

Age limits

16 – 25 27,3 0,0

26 – 39 35,1 0,0

40 – 59 36,3 0,0

60 + 1,4 100,0

Employment

Employed 22,0 1,3

Unemployed 59,7 3,8

Pensioners 8,9 91,0

Other 9,4 3,8

Education

Illiterate 11,5 53,8

Elementary school 36,1 28,2

Primary school 42,2 17,9

Secondary school 10,2 0,0

Place of residence

Village 34,6 33,3

Small town 34,1 34,6

Big town 26,7 32,1

Sofia 4,6 0,0

Marital status

Live alone 1,7 28,2

4 Study conducted by “Partners Bulgaria”-“Roma community in Bulgaria – Employment and Independence”, 2004, assigned by MLSP and supported by the American Agency for International Development

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Family without children 18,1 43,6

Family with children 77,4 26,9

The structure of Roma in working age shows that the community possesses a serious age potential.

More than half of the Roma are up to 40 years old but only one fifth of them are working. About

46% of the Roma live in villages or small towns where the opportunities for permanent incomes are

limited. Because of this reason ¾ of Roma community in working age lives in poverty. Normally

Roma count for their living on passive sources of incomes (allowances for unemployment, social

benefits, etc.) or “informal”, “shady” channels. The two forms of making a living are against

integration of Roma community – long-term assistance provided to persons in working age, most of

them young people, is hiding serious risks for creating sustainable culture of dependency. The

alternative economy contains in its character the negative potential for creation of “shady” channels.

The conclusions specified below are result of a study conducted in 2005 under the Programme for

fight against discrimination – international biennial project funded by the European Commission

covering the newly accepted countries and candidate countries where the percentage of Roma

community is high.

A structural poverty already exists in Roma residential areas. As a result of the transitional period

this poverty had spread in a large scale and the impoverishment embraced new strata and groups of

Roma community who were previously occupied and had incomes. Roma living in the villages and

small towns where 46% of them are settled are miserable. They practically do not have any source

of incomes – they do not own land and do not have access to funding for development of cattle-

breeding. In unenviable position are the young people up to 30 years old who even do not have

working habits – more than 80% of them have never worked. A big part of Roma community are

long-term unemployed, they are clients of Social Assistance Offices for a long time and rely

entirely on social and humanitarian benefits for their physical existence. This circumstance

additionally freezes Roma self-initiativeness and maintains the culture of dependency which reflects

negatively to the implementation of development programmes. The current situation of Roma in the

labour market is due first and foremost to the implementation of passive measures which deal with

the consequences but not with the causes.

II. STRATEGY DOCUMENTS

Through an intensive process of consultation with Roma leadership and NGOs the National Council

prepared a Framework Program for the Equal Integration of the Roma in Bulgarian Society, which

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was adopted by the government in April 1999.

1. LEGISLATION

The Program for Equal Integration of Romas in Bulgarian Society is a direct result from the open

dialogue between the Roma community and the Bulgarian Government and it contains the basic

principles of a complete state strategy for implementation of real equality of Roma in Bulgaria. This

document is based on the program for “Equal Participation of Romas in the Public Life in

Bulgaria” and the project documents of the government with follows chapters:

I. Protection Against Discrimination

II. Economic Development

III. Health Service

IV. Territorial Planning of Roma Residential Districts.

V. Education

VI. Protection of the Ethnic Spesification and Culture of Roma Ethnic Group in Bulgaria

VII. Roma presence/participation in the mass media

VIII. The Roma Woman

NCCEDI is also responsible for the elaboration and implementation of measures, and execution of

control over the implementation of the Framework Programme.

After the adoption of the Framework Programme and in correspondence with overall state policy a

number of ministries approved the following strategies and action plans under them:

• A Short-term Strategy for the implementation of the state policy for equal integration of

Roma community in the Bulgarian national culture 2000-2001;

• A Strategy for Educational Integration of Children and Pupils from Ethnic Minorities;

• A Strategy for Educational Integration of Children and Pupils from Ethnic Minorities;

• National Program for Improving the Living Conditions of Roma Population which is a part

of the existing since May 2004, National Housing Strategy has been approved by the

Council of Ministers. The Program is in line with the objectives and tasks of the Action Plan

on the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015;

• 2003/4 Action Plan under the Framework Programme for Equal Integration of Roma in

Bulgarian Society.

• The Law for protection against discrimination

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• A National Action Plan for the implementation of Roma Inclusion Decade 2005 – 2015

Initiative was adopted in April 2005. 2006

• Action Plan under the Framework Programme for Equal Integration of Roma in Bulgarian

Society.

• The National Action Plan Combat Discrimination (NAPCD) - 2007

The Law on fight against discrimination transposes in full the EU Directives for equality -

43/2000/ЕС, 78/2000/ЕС, 75/117/ЕИО, 97/80/ЕО, 76/207/ЕИО and regulates the protection of all

natural persons on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria against all forms of discrimination and

at the same time contributes to its prevention and adopts measures for equal opportunities.

The government is also aware of the need to achieve a substantial progress towards solving the

housing, educational, health, employment and cultural problems of the Roma in the next years.

Recently a number of sectoral policies related to the ethnic minorities’ issues with a focus on Roma

have been operationalised in medium- and long-term programming documents and adopted by the

Government.

2. LEGISLATION ADOPTED

On 27.04.2006 the Council of Ministers adopted the Rules of Procedure on the Structure,

Activities and Organization of the Centre for Educational Integration of Children and Pupils

from Ethnic Minorities. The projects to be developed and financed by the Centre will aim at

promoting the equal access to quality education and improving the results achieved from training

children and pupils from ethnic minorities in Bulgaria. The activities of the Centre will develop

following a three-year programme approved by the Council of Minsters. For 2006 the Centre will

have a financial resource of 500 000 BGN from the state budget envisaging a step-by-step increase

in the following years.

The Council of Ministers adopted on 11.05.2006 the Action Plan for 2006-2007 for

Implementation of the Housing Conditions of Roma. The necessary activities to change the legal

basis which will facilitate the fulfillment of the National Programme and the Action Plan will be

taken in 2006, the activities to draw up and to amend currently acting Rules of Procedure will also

continue, measures to improve the existing technical infrastructure are foreseen. 240 000 BGN are

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ensured for road repair works in the Roma quarters for 2006. In 2007 the sum envisaged amounts to

1 million BGN.

With a Decision of the Council of Ministers of 25.05.2006 was appointed a National coordinator

of “The Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015”. The aim of the initiative “The Decade of Roma

Inclusion 2005 – 2015” is to coordinate and direct the efforts of the governments and the society in

Central and Eastern Europe in order to integrate the Roma population, to overcome the

discrimination and poverty of Roma people and to preserve their cultural identity.

On 12.06.2006 the Council of Ministers adopted a Decree on accepting the presidency of “The

Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015”, on joining of Bulgaria to the rules of procedure of the

Decade and taking up one year presidency of the initiative on behalf of Bulgaria for the period

01.07.2006 - 30.06.2007. The presidency of the Republic of Bulgaria of the initiative “The Decade

of Roma Inclusion 2005 – 2015” will be of help for solving Roma problems, laid down in the

strategic documents.

III. Measures solving the problems with unemployment “ethnic group” with a special focus

on Roma”

The disadvantage of the Roma on the labour market is due to their low educational status and

qualification background.

The immediate objective of a strategic government policy targeted to Roma people is to put a stop

to the process of its social degradation and lasting decline in its social status.

The description of Roma people’s social status in terms of the socio – professional structure

of society would include the lack of permanent employment or employment that is frequently:

a) very poorly paid

b) requires no qualification

c) of very low social prestige

d) not associated with decision – making powers, responsibility or freedom or choice.

Ensuring access to employment that does not involve a certain degree of responsibility,

freedom and social prestige is in effect a way of replicating negative attitudes to the opportunity of

improving the level of education or training; such an approach would encourage Roma to seek only

jobs that would to ensure the family;s day – to – day survival.

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Our capacity to invest efforts targeted at the young generations in the Roma community is

crucial to the efficiency of any comprehensive program and the prospects of finding a general

solution to the serious problems Roma face. It is precisely in the field of that age group’s social

status that we could resolve the strategic issue of establishing mechanisms to ensure equal access

opportunities to the labor market to all Bulgarian citizens.

Roma maintain an even more pessimistic assessment of the position they hold in the socio –

professional structure of our society – as a result of ethnicity – based discriminatory practices

against them and intolerance on the part of non – Roma groups. Roma’s self – assessment includes

the negative dimensions related to poorly – paid work, the temporary nature of their employment,

their dependency on the employer’s goodwill and the high degree of job uncertainty.

Public opinion on the positions of Roma in the socio – professional structure of modern

Bulgarian society involves all of the abovementioned elements but is further burdened with

negative ethno – stereotypes against Roma. Figures from a number of sociological and socio –

psychological surveys show that the Roma group is the only one against which numerous negative

stereotypes are in targeted. All other ethno – cultural groups declare unwillingness to have contacts

with Roma.

The chronicity of this status and the reproduction of the “poverty culture” entail sentiments

and open fear of competition in the labor market. This is especially reflected in overrepresented

etatistic and egalitarian attitudes predominant in Roma culture.

Various programmes and measures for social and economic integration of unemployed

Roma are being realized on the labour market. Their wider objective is to provide adequate job

opportunities and professional qualification for the Roma community.

A number of Phare funded activities have been undertaken in the area of ethnic minorities’

integration and directed to support the relevant policies by provision of technical assistance for

institution building and investment – supplies and works - in the area of education, health,

employment, and living conditions.

Phare 1999 - BG 9907 – Promoting the Integration of the Roma - Under the project 2 components

have been implemented: 1) Access to education for Roma - 50 teachers received additional

qualification and 50 young Roma were trained to work as teacher assistants in mixed classes; a job

description for teacher assistants was drafted and submitted to the Ministry of Education and

Science for approval; a notebook for the Roma students from the preparatory classes was elaborated

and published; a guide to the textbooks in history for grades 1-4 involving elements of the Roma

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culture and history was elaborated and 100 teachers and teacher assistants were trained to use it; 2)

Improving living conditions in Roma quarters – included an amendment of general town-planning

scheme as well as architectural design, structural engineering, electrical power, sewage and water

supply system in two pilot regions.

BG 9907 Promoting the Integration of the Roma, sub-project BG 9907.01.01 – Access to Education

- this project supported the establishment of a National Pedagogy Laboratory on Intercultural

Interactions at South West University in Blagoevgrad. Among the outputs were: the provision of

access to information for trainees from minorities, including a specialized library for minorities’

education, training of teachers from Bulgarian schools to help teachers from Roma schools with

exchange of ideas and demonstration of good practices, and training of parents of Roma children or

special schools for parents.

Child welfare reform, Component 3: Prevention of drop-out of Roma children with the support of

World Bank and Japanese Fund for Social Development. The project was focused on children at the

age of preschool in the ten biggest cities in Bulgaria. The project activities included pre-school

education for children at risk from the most vulnerable Roma communities, inclusion of assistant

teachers in the curriculum activities and in the motivation of parents, provision of schools materials,

organizing of extra –curriculum activities. As outcomes over 4 500 children have been included in

program activities and have been successfully integrated in first grade; 130 assistant teachers have

been trained. As result of the project, the long-term activities of NGO-s and the intervention of the

World Bank, the preschool education became compulsory.

Phare 2001 - BG 0104.01 – Roma Population Integration

The project aims to foster adequate integration of the Roma people into Bulgarian society mainly

through addressing priorities in the Framework Programme related to the development of education

and improved access to administrative services, to improve the relationship between the Roma and

the majority populations, their mutual understanding and culture sharing in particular. Three

components were implemented: 1) Ensuring access to quality education for Roma children through

provision of additional qualification of 300 school teachers / masters and university training of 92

young Roma to work as teacher assistants in ethnically mixed classes; 2) Bridging activities that

aim at increasing opportunities for young Roma to work in the public administration; 3)

Development of public awareness strategy and positive Roma images campaign.

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Phare 2001 – BG 0102.06 – Social Inclusion (the beneficiary is the Ministry of Labour and Social

Policy). Two components are directed to: 1) the development of Roma information and cultural

centers, literacy training for Roma minorities, 2) job creation programmes for Roma minorities.

Phare 2001 – BG 0104.02 – Ensuring Minority Access to Health Care (the beneficiary is the

Ministry of Health). The project involves the creation of a sustainable Roma health promotion

scheme, improved access to health care in 15 towns and health issues awareness campaigns directed

to the Roma community. Medical equipment and furniture for 15 GP practices delivered, health

services for predominantly Roma population provided, medical staff and Roma mediators trained

aiming to health promotion amidst Roma population. In relation to this project a Background Study

for the Roma Health Status is being implemented (Phare BG 0006.08/LCR).

Background Survey on Urbanization and Housing Conditions in Roma Neighbourhoods – prepared

as a preliminary study for the below presented Phare project 2002. The finalized in June 2003

survey has the objective to provide a clear picture of the existing living situation in the areas with

predominant minorities population; to survey existing Roma housing and urbanization policies; to

extend possible know how and expertise upon the good territorial planning and urbanization

practices towards improving the Roma minority living conditions, favoring at the same time their

integration into the mainstream society.

Phare 2002, BG 0204.01

Urbanization and Social Development of Area with Disadvantaged Minority Populations. The

project aim is to improve the quality of life in urban communities (in 6 municipalities) with

predominant minority population by encouraging better integration of these groups into the urban

society and economy. The project components are: building public technical and social

infrastructure, incl. public utility infrastructure, street infrastructure, a kindergarten and a

community centre; implementing vocational training and temporary employment scheme as well as

a pilot business support initiative.

Improve public services to the Roma population through increasing Roma involvement in the public

administration and improving the human rights and cultural awareness of relevant institutions

(conducted in 2003) – a project of the World Bank aimed at enhancing the policy making and

implementation capacity of the NCEDI at the central office. The project contributed to the

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improvement of the efficiency of the relationships between the regional structures on ethnic and

demographic issues and the NCEDI. The qualification of the government and regional experts in the

in area of ethnic and demographic issues was improved through a number of trainings. Journalists

from national, regional and local media were trained to work in the area of multiethnic relations.

BUL/03/001 –Development of National Strategy and Action Plan for Poverty Reduction and Social

Exclusion – an UNDP project aimed to support the development a comprehensive National Strategy

(PRS) and Action Plan on Poverty Reduction and Social Exclusion as one of the major issues for

Bulgaria to address in the process of EU accession. One of the main results is the development of a

National Strategy and an Action Plan for Reducing Poverty. The main partner is the Ministry of

Labour and Social Policy.

Technical and Capacity Building Support to the Directorate “Ethnic and Demographic Issues”

provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The overall objective of the

project is to build institutional, operational and policy making capacity of the directorate and its

staff so that to enable the directorate operate successfully and independently in projects formulating,

managing, programming and evaluating.

Phare BG 2003/004-937.01.03 Educational and Medical Integration of Vulnerable Minority Groups

with a Special Focus on the Roma. Both project components – Health and Education aim at

facilitating better access of Roma community to respectively health care and educational quality

services in 5 pilot regions through applying various activities. Among them are: enhancing the

capacity of the relevant educational and health professionals to work in multicultural environment,

facilitating the introduction of intercultural education in the kindergartens and the schools,

development of curriculum for health mediators’ education in the medical universities/colleges,

delivering preventive health care units to conduct medical interventions in Roma quarters and

remote rural areas, implement immunization campaigns, conduct preventive examinations and take

urgent anti-epidemic measures, upgrade the school material base and provide supplies of

educational materials.

Phare 2004 - BG 016-919.01.01 Restructuring of pilot multi-profile hospitals and developing of

emergency medical care to improve the access to health care of vulnerable groups of the population

with special focus on Roma population (the beneficiary is the Ministry of Health). The project

contributes to the provision of access to quality medical services, including emergency medical

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services to ethnic minorities with special focus on Roma population, disabled persons, and persons

living in remote regions; improvement of the quality of life of the population by reducing the

mortality rate, secondary complications and late disability, caused by emergency medical cases,

especially cardio-vascular diseases by developing a model and establishing pilot centres in 2

regions, which will be on the territory of respective multi-profile hospitals for active treatment,

supply of mobile diagnostic units, medical and non-medical equipment.

Phare multi annual project 2004 – 2006, Improvement of the situation and inclusion of the

disadvantaged ethnic minorities with a special focus on the Roma, (BG 2004/016-711.01.03 -phase

1, BG 2005/017-353.01.03 - phase 2 and BG 2006//018-343.01.02 - phase 3). The purpose of the

project is to contribute to the systematical improvement of the situation of disadvantaged ethnic

minorities with a special focus on Roma through implementing specific measures with regard to

education, health and urbanization and establishment of all levels institutional set-up. It focuses on:

improving access to quality integrated education; improving interactions between the disadvantaged

ethnic minorities and central/local public administration and police structure; creating conditions for

social integration of young Roma through participation in higher education; improving material

base of selected integrated schools with ethnically mixed classes; improving health status of Roma

by performed preventive health care services, conducting health promotion and education

campaigns, mobile units provision; improving disadvantaged ethnic minorities social integration by

upgrading the existing public technical and social infrastructure; enhancing the administrative

capacity to manage social cohesion projects and institutional set-up, and developing of common

monitoring system for the ethnic minority issues which includes a software programming and

training for the relevant staff in DEDI, Ministries of Education and Science, Health and Regional

Development and Public Works on the use of the system.

One of the leading political priorities of the Bulgarian government in eliminating the risk of social

isolation of the Roma and their integration into the Bulgarian society is solving the problems related

to their employment. In this regard the measures that have been undertaken are directed to the

implementation of programs for qualification and employment that are in compliance with the

labour market needs as well as the specificity of some traditional work attitudes of the Roma

population.

One of the important mechanisms for implementation of these priorities is the international

initiative “Decade for Roma inclusion 2005-2015” under which there is a plan elaborated by the

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Employment Agency for 2006. The plan provides for activities related to improving the adaptability

of employment of the Roma people on the labour market and promoting of entrepreneurship.

The results for the period January – 20 August 2006 as follows:

• More than 12 thousand Roma people were included in employment and training whereas

2/3 of them are in employment, the rest - in training. Additionally, 7500 Roma people are

motivated and directed to job seeking and inclusion in courses for vocational qualification.

The process of social integration and improvement of the economic status of the Roma finds its

application in diverse initiatives and instruments:

• The specialized employment exchanges organized by the Employment Agency in the

period May – August 2006 in different regions of the country. They establish direct and fast

contacts between employers and job seekers and aim at the selection of suitable candidates

for the vacancies or for training before employment.

10 employment exchanges that have been planned were conducted till 21 August 2006 in 10

towns. 1 955 job seekers and 164 employers took part in them whereas 2 445 vacancies were

announced. Most of the vacancies were of a seasonal character (mainly in agriculture and

manufacturing industry) and they were opened gradually. For each vacancy a selection amongst the

unemployed Roma is made according to the requirements of the employers. The respective Labour

Offices Directorates directed 1 387 unemployed Roma people to the vacancies announced by the 10

employment exchanges. Of them 640 persons were employed.

• The initial literacy training and raising of the qualification of the Roma people is

another important measure with a long-term effect and benefit for the individual and the

family to which belongs, the Roma community and the society in general.

A National Program for initial literacy and qualification of Roma people was launched in the

beginning of May 2006 for the implementation of which there are funds at the amount of BGN 1.65

million from the state budget and BGN 17 000 ensured by the Institute for International

Cooperation of the Association of the German people’s universities. 2 639 unemployed Roma

people were included in the initial literacy training till the end of August. A specialized training in

andragogy was successfully completed by 72 teachers.

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• The Minister of Labour and Social Policy approved Methodical instructions on “Provision

of specialized individual consultation directed to solving of specific problems of Roma

ethnic community”. The implementation of the Instruction aims at better targeting of work

of the labour offices with the unemployed Roma people. This will raise the active attitude of

Roma to participate in literacy and vocational training and employment through the

mediation of the labour offices.

• A big part of the Roma population is subject to monthly social assistance. The majority of it

is illiterate or with primary or lower education, without vocational qualification. With a

view to acquire professional skills, permanent work discipline as well as income and

increase of income, and last but not least, to reduce the marginalization of that group, 6 464

unemployed Roma were included in the National Program “From social assistance to

provision of employment”.

On the occasion of the peer-review of the European Commission, Haskovo municipal

administration Project has been elaborated under the National program “From social assistance

to provision of employment”. 300 jobs were created for the implementation of activities for

improvement of infrastructure in settlements with compact Roma population on the territory of

Samokov municipality and activities related to forestation of municipal terrains. 198

unemployed Roma people were employed under the Project till 21 August 2006.

In June the Employment Agency approved for financing 65 projects for the creation of 912

jobs in activities for improvement of infrastructure of quarters and villages with compact Roma

population. The activities envisaged by the projects are for the period July – November 2006.

• Of particular importance for the education of Roma children is the training of

unemployed Roma in the new speciality “assistant to the teacher”. 95 unemployed

Roma people have been trained till 21 August to acquire vocational qualification in

bringing up children. The labour offices made a selection of training institutions and

unemployed Roma to form the groups for training.

• In the framework of the component “Employment for Roma” within the project “Job

opportunities for business support” two Roma business centers (in Burgas and in

Pazardjik) have been established. These centers provide a grant scheme (free amount of

up to BGN 2 000) which is combined with financial leasing of up to BGN 25 000 and 9

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months grace period and 48 months on deferred payments. The centers also provide

training for acquiring vocational qualification for starting up of own business; training

of private agricultural producers and entrepreneurs in EU requirements and

opportunities for receiving EU funds; motivation training for job seeking and taking up

a job; qualification training. Over the period 1 January – 11 August 2006 in the

framework of the component “Employment for Roma”, 301 Roma people were

included in training, 185 were employed, 26 were self-employed and 9 firms received

financial leasing.

• Besides the initiatives listed above, the unemployed Roma as part of the priority groups

on the labour market (long-term unemployed, women, youths, unemployed persons

above the age of 50 and others) are provided with employment and training in all other

programs and measures for employment and training.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy developed a Phare 2004 funded project “Ethnic

Minorities Labour Market Integration” in accordance with the recommendations of the European

Union stated in the following documents: Accession Partnership and National Programme for the

Adoption of Aquis. The project will contribute to:

• the objectives of the National Economic Development Plan in the following ways:

- Provide vocational training to the unemployed from Roma minority groups in the

targeted geographical areas, thus ensuring that human resources meet market

requirements and consequently, reducing unemployment among disadvantaged

groups;

- Provide business support to Roma minority groups in the targeted areas in order to

encourage economic development and consequent growth of job opportunities;

- Support access to temporary employment to the long-term unemployed from Roma

minority groups in the targeted areas, thus supporting their integration into the labour

market.

• the implementation of the Framework Programme/Action Plan for Equal Integration

of Roma in Bulgarian Society in the following ways:

- Will implement training and employment programmes in line with the needs of the

labour market, while taking into account the particular traditional working and

vocational attitudes prevalent in the respective Roma groups (section 2.1.

“Employment” of the Framework Programme);

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- Will establish a mechanism to provide business advice and support to those Roma

wishing to start a business activity or to expand and improve existing concerns

(section 2.1. “Employment” of the Framework Programme).

The main objectives of the project are:

- To contribute to the social and economic integration of disadvantaged minority

communities – with a particular focus on Roma - in Bulgaria by implementing

targeted active labour market policies in selected geographical areas with ethnically

mixed populations;

- Implementation of the measures under the Chapter “Employment” of the Framework

Programme for Equal Integration of the Roma in Bulgarian Society and the Action

Plan for implementation of this Framework Programme.

The Call for proposals under the Grant scheme of the project has been launched and it is expected

the contracts with the successful applicants to be concluded by November 30, 2006 at the

approximate total amount of MEUR 2.926.

The specifics of interethnical relations and the respective social problems connected with these

relations imposed the introduction of a special state institution. To address this urgent need in

December, 2004 the Council of Ministers adopted Decree № 333 for the restructuring of the

National Council on Ethnic and Demographic Issues (NCEDI). The NCEDI was transformed into a

National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues (NCCEDI) and a special

Directorate “Ethnic and Demographic Issues” was established to administratively assist the

NCCEDI and actively participate in the formulation and conducting of the governmental

policy in the filed of multi-ethnic relations. The established “Ethnic and Demographic Issues”

Directorate coordinates the work of civil servants in 9 ministries. where there are directorates or

departments working on ethnic and demographic issues in the respective policy areas. This structure

also co-operates with the NGOs so as to coordinate the proactive efforts to combat discirmination.

The NCCEDI at Council of Ministers in general are deeply convinced that the integration of the

Roma people into the Bulgarian society is a long-term process for the success of which a good

coordination and permanent efforts are being implemented on the part of the state as well as the

civil society structures.

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System for monitoring and evaluation for the implementation of the Framework program for the

equal integration of Roma in Bulgarian Society was adopted by NCCEDI in July 2006. This system

was implemented at district and municipal level. It is foreseen training on the methodology for the

implementation of the system for the district and municipal experts who will be responsible for its

implementation. The monitoring system is based on the qualitative and quantitative indicators,

identified through the process of elaboration of needs assessment analyses within the framework of

the project activities, funded by the state budget and beneficiary NCCDEI. This methodology

ensures system for external monitoring. This mechanism follows the approach to systematically

accumulate information and analyze measures implemented towards achievement of level of social

cohesion.

This monitoring and evaluation system will work under the authority of “Ethnic and Demographic

Issues” Directorate and its district and municipal experts network, NGO’s, members of NCCEDI.

This will ensure the connection between the evaluation and monitoring of the state Roma

integration policy (implementation of the Framework program).

The outputs of the system will create the necessary and sufficient volume of information for the

situation of the process of the Roma integration in the different spheres of the society. This system

will serve a special role for ensuring the data for the needs assessment of the Roma situation at any

time, at the respective district/ municipalities regarding all aspects of quality of life.

The outputs of the system will be used for the further correction of the existing policy measures and

identifying of new pro-active measures for Roma integration.

Main challenge which Member states are facing is building the administrative capacity at local level

for identification and submission of successful projects to be funded as well as their implementation

in compliance with the European procedures.

The European dimension of the Roma poverty provides useful framework for the policy. Firstly

Roma are not poor only in Central and Eastern Europe. Secondly the process of European

integration proposes unique opportunity for measures for fight against Roma poverty at

international level. This process enables different Member states to learn from each other. And

thirdly the creation of integrated Europe will not finish with ratification of accession treaties the real

integration supposes long-term approach for decreasing the poverty and particularly the Roma

poverty.

In “HRD” OP, resolving the issues of vulnerable groups as a whole, and of the ethnic minority

groups, including Roma, is considered a horizontal priority. In this sense, all actions, aimed at

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improving levels in economic activities, employment, education, qualification, social inclusion,

equal access to social and medical services adhere to the principles of equality among all citizens in

the Republic of Bulgaria. In the course of implementation of all actions, included in the Operational

Programme, a particular emphasis shall be laid on the establishment of adequate instruments, to

allow for an effective coping with the specific issues for each of the targeted groups.

Therefore, during the programming phase of the “HRD” OP, specific issues of the Roma ethnic

community, which require an individual approach in order to be resolved, have been given due

consideration.

The resolving of those issues through the operations under “HRD” OP shall be complemented by

the interventions, envisaged in the “Regional Development” OP, as well as by the National

Strategic Plan for the Development of Rural Regions (2007 – 2013).

A substantial part of the operations under “HRD” OP are aimed at resolving the problems of

vulnerable groups’ representatives, including the Roma population. The Strategy of the Operational

Programme in the area of Human Resources Development corresponds to the specific needs of all

vulnerable groups’ representatives in the areas of the labour market, the education and training, the

access to social and medical services.