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Description
The project strengthens the administrative capacity of the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) for the effective fulfilment of its obligations, enhancing the specific skills related to reception, accommodation, proceedings for granting international protection, and social and cultural adaptation, including individual assessment of the needs of applicants for international protection, through improvement of the professional skills of the experts of SAR and obtaining key and upgraded competencies. The project includes the following activities:
- Preparing of functional analysis of SAR;
- Renovation of minimum 4 halls and repair/purchase of equipment;
- Trainings for experts of SAR regarding the assessment of gender-based violence and updating of standard operational procedures; for inter-institutional teamwork for better practical interaction; for exchange of good practices and experience (abroad) for teams including representatives of local authorities, the State Agency for Child Protection, the Social Assistance Agency and other institutions competent to work with unaccompanied minors and also to analyse the current legislation;
- Trainings for designated representatives of unaccompanied minors and juveniles ((UAMs). Preparation of a manual for the work of the appointed legal guardians; on the topic of representation of unaccompanied children under Art. 25 of the Law on Asylum and Refugees.
- Training of case workers and registration officers on additional methods and approaches to conduct interviews based on/in accordance with the ethnic affiliation, as well as preparation of tools for work with different groups of persons seeking international protection;
- Capacity building for the General Directorate Border Police of the Ministry of Interior for working with UAMs, counteracting trafficking in UAMs;
- Capacity building for the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, including. exchange of experience and best practices with Norwegian partners.
Summary of project results
The project was designed to improve the implementation of the legislation and increase the knowledge and skills of employees working with third-country nationals seeking international protection in the Republic of Bulgaria. The goal was for those employees to acquire knowledge and to become familiar with EU practices related to reception, accommodation, procedures for granting international protection and social and cultural adaptation, including individual assessment of the needs of applicants for international protection.Тhe project placed a strong emphasis on partnership and cooperation between institutions engaged in the field of asylum and international protection. The trainings as well as investments in training infrastructure (meeting halls) aimed to further enhance the professional qualifications of a range of staff directly involved with asylums procedures such as State Agency for Refugees (SAR), Border Police and Migration Directorate, as well as the National Bureau on Legal Assistance.
Specialized trainings were held for exchange of experience and best practices in the field of asylum, migration and work with vulnerable groups, in particular unaccompanied minor. Nearly 420 employees from State Agency for Refugees (SAR), representatives of partners, legal representatives/guardians, local authorities and administration, institutions and organizations in the field of asylum and migration, participated. The training covered the following topics:
- Consideration of gender, age, socio-cultural and educational background, as well as ethnic and religious affiliation of asylum seekers.
- Inter-institutional cooperation and coordination in working with vulnerable individuals, with a focus on unaccompanied children – legal framework, access to healthcare, education, care, and services.
- Gender-based violence – identification and follow-up actions.
- Representation of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children – selection, rights and responsibilities, interaction, and reporting.
- Identification and assessment of vulnerability – developing a support plan.
- Identification and referral of trafficking victims – methods, practices, and interviewing potential victims.
- Best practices in assessing the best interests of the child.
- Evaluation of evidence, interviewing techniques, and key countries of origin.
Тhe conducted trainings increased the competence of employees to the asylum procedures, and work with unaccompanied minors, in particular applying the Asylum Procedure Directive standards.
As part of the project, 60 SAR employees completed English language training courses. A Phrasebook for Migrant Languages was developed and printed. The English language competency contributed to the SAR’s officers capacity in more effectively applying the Asylum Procedure Directive and Reception Conditions Directives, i.e. communicating with migrants in the process of the asylum application, as well as following their accommodation in reception centres – the provision of various services.
4 video clips (topics: activities of SAR, services for refugees, financial support from Norway grants) were filmed and broadcasted in Metropolitan Sofia and regional media (Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv). These communication efforts enhanced public understanding and transparency regarding asylum procedures and refugee support services.
A functional analysis of SAR, including legislation, activities, work processes, efficiency, recommendations, was elaborated by external body. Based on the analysis, recommendations were made to optimize SAR''s operations and enhanced institutional effectiveness in asylum and migration management.
Specialized training sessions were held for 150 officers of the Bulgarian Border Police on topics related to combating the trafficking of unaccompanied minors, respecting their rights, and working with unaccompanied minors seeking international protection. The trainings included the following aspects: identification of unaccompanied minors, use of biometric criteria for determining age, procedures for Legal representation, best interest of the child. These sessions reinforced the capacity of law enforcement officers to properly identify and support unaccompanied minors while complying with international protection standards.
With the participation of the Norwegian National Immigration Police Service (NPIS), study visits and training sessions were conducted for a total of 81 employees of the Migration Directorate by the Ministry of the Interior. The trainings included issues related to migration management and working with third-country nationals in identification, accommodation, return and international protection procedures, contributing to the application of the Asylum Procedure Directive, Return directive.
Тhe total number of the trained staff under the project amounted to over 650 officers.
To create a suitable learning and working environment that would ensure the sustainability of the project''s results after its completion, the project also included group of activities related to the renovation and equipment of seminar/meetings rooms and other administrative facilities in order to improve the conditions and optimizing the work of the SAR.
A notable outcome of the project is the developed Manual for the work of legal representatives of unaccompanied minors seeking international protection (available under link:Министерство на правосъдието - Република България). Legal representation to unaccompanied minors in Bulgaria is provided by the National Bureau of Legal Assistance (NBLA). The NBLA developed the manual to support and streamline the work of the legal representatives, implementing Art. 21 of Reception Conditions Directive – requiring legal representation to be provided; Art. 25 of Asylum Procedure Directive listing guarantees of unaccompanied minors; Dublin Regulation; Regulation (EU) № 604/2013, Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the EU.
The project successfully strengthened the capacity of institutions responsible for asylum and migration management, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups. By investing in training, institutional strengthening, and public communication, the project has contributed to a more efficient and humane asylum and migration system, ensuring better protection for vulnerable individuals while aligning national practices with European and international standards.
The implementation of the project resulted in significant improvements in the administrative capacity of institutions involved in asylum and migration procedures in Bulgaria. The project directly benefited over 650 professionals working in the field of asylum, migration, and the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly unaccompanied minors. Through specialized training, study visits, the development of learning materials, and infrastructural improvements, the project successfully strengthened the knowledge, skills, and operational efficiency of key stakeholders.
A major achievement was the development of a Manual for the legal representation of unaccompanied minors seeking International protection. This resource ensured that legal representatives have standardized guidelines to effectively protect the rights of unaccompanied minors.
The collaboration with the Norwegian NPIS facilitated knowledge transfer and improved coordination in migration management practices.
In the project''s framework successful partnerships were presented, and the administrative capacity and qualifications of the employees were further developed with relevant knowledge, skills and competences. The organized trainings, the secured environment for effectively conducting trainings, and the bonding between knowledge, skills and the nature of the needs of the administrations are the added value of the realized project''s activities.
Summary of bilateral results
The collaboration with the Norwegian National Immigration Police Service (NPIS) facilitated knowledge transfer and improved coordination in migration management practices.The exchange of experience and good practices with the relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Norway brought up valuable good practices and strengthened the administrative abilities of the participants.