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Description
The project combines soft and hard measures to improve the situation of the Roma population and improve the coordination and dialogue between the police and the Roma community to prevent radicalization, violent extremism and speech of hate. The aim is to create informal networks at national and regional level to exchange ideas, knowledge and good practices to counteract radicalization, violent extremism and to support joint initiatives with the participation of public institutions and non-governmental organizations working with Roma communities . Measures are envisaged to improve the coordination between the Police and local Roma organizations, to create better conditions for multi-ethnic dialogue and a better understanding of Roma cultural values. It includes training of police officers to improve their skills and competence for early recognition of signs of radicalization in its various forms so that adequate preventive mechanisms. By the project more concentrated police activities will be encouraged and undertaken in different regions of Bulgaria with concentration of Roma population to identify signs or presence of radicalization, violent extremism and hate speech.
Summary of project results
In view of the contemporary society development and technologies, as a priority at national and European level, a strategic vision is formed, concerning the raising and maintaining of expert potential of the law enforcement structures in order to ensure an adequate response to the new and current trends of crime. In this regard, the purchase of equipment and training activities envisaged in this project will meet the needs of the target group and the results of the project implementation will have a lasting and sustainable impact on them. Increasing the expertise potential in this specific area has identified a need at present. The counteraction of radicalization, violent extremism and hate speech largely depends on the competence of the institutions involved to identify and correctly identify signs and manifestations indicating the existence of a process with possible negative consequences. Increased awareness of police officers who are in direct contact with vulnerable groups will increase their ability to react in a timely manner and respond to challenges related to the radicalization process. The renovation of the reception areas or the construction of mobile reception areas in areas with compact Roma population will improve the day-to-day activities of police officers and their communication with the target group. For this purpose, the activities set out in the project are structured entirely in this direction. It is planned to use international expertise in leading international experts.
Analysis of the current situation shows that in the areas with compact Roma population there are no premises for reception of citizens or the constructed ones are not suitable for carrying out these functions. This impedes the access of the Roma population to "security" as a service and the ability of police officers to interact with the Roma community on a daily basis. This leads to a decrease in the confidence in the activities of the police authorities and creates prerequisites for lack of information on the processes taking place in the Roma communities. On the other hand, the lack of thorough research and specialized training of police officers and representatives of other competent institutions - target groups of the project, is identified, which also impedes the inability to recognize the signs of radicalization.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the implementation of the project activities. However, after a difficult start, we have achieved success by taking urgent action to complete the project.
Already with the implementation of the first activity related to the study of training needs and knowledge gaps, other difficulties were encountered, caused by the lack of sufficient activity from part of the Ministry of Interior officers in filling out the questionnaires. In this regard, discussions were held on regional level with officers, and the purpose of the study was explained to them.
Another significant problem was the conduct of public procurement for the selection of a contractor for the implementation of a delivery or provision of a service under the project. A restrictive condition was set, according to the Management and Control Systems under the Programme, related to the selection of a contractor when conducting public procurement, i.e. if there was only one bid from a potential contractor, the procedure had to be terminated and conducted again, which required additional time and resources.
Lessons learned: Increased awareness of police officers improves their ability to respond promptly and adequately. Also, improving the conditions for receiving citizens in areas with a compact Roma population facilitated the daily activities of police officers and increased trust in them.
The implementation of the project contributes to achieving Program Result / Outcome 3 "Improved situation of the Roma population" - Specific Result / Output 3.4 "Improved coordination and dialogue between police and Roma community to prevent radicalisation, violent extremism and hate speech".
This was achieved by taking measures to improve coordination between the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior and local Roma communities, creating better conditions for multi -ethnic dialogue and a better understanding of Roma cultural values.
Through the methodology, curriculum and manuals prepared under the project, 80 trainers and 240 police officers from all over the country were trained. This ensures that similar, constructive trainings on the topic will be conducted at least 5 years after the completion of the project. In places, the trained officers will provide the gained experience to their colleagues.
Within the framework of the project, 19 reception premises were renovated and 1 reception room was built on the territory of Metropolitan Directorate of Interior and Regional Directorates of Vidin, Burgas, Varna, Stara Zagora, Montana, Sliven, Plovdiv (1 reception room was installed in the village of Parvenets), Pazardzhik and Yambol. In this way, the Roma population was provided with the opportunity to have daily contact with police officers trained to work in this specific environment and to prevent radicalization processes. As a result of the increased trust in police officers, there is an opportunity for the Roma population to provide information when signs of radicalization are identified - parents regarding the behavior of children, neighbors regarding the behavior of young people or their families, etc. This information will be useful and transmitted in the appropriate order to other competent institutions.
The achievement of effective and long-term results of the project is guaranteed by focusing on representatives of those groups of society, including the Roma, where radicalization finds good ground for development. In order to increase trust, a video was produced and broadcast, which includes interviews with a retired Roma police officer, a cadet from the MoI Academy and the Roma folk singer Roxana. 10 forums were held with children and their parents to overcome anti-Roma stereotypes and discrimination, in the form of "Sport for All" events. A competition for the best student essay on the topic: "No" to differences, "Yes" to tolerance and integration was also organized.
This project has added value by supporting the efforts of the Republic of Bulgaria to respond adequately to the new policies and priorities, in accordance with European standards. The results of the project have an impact even after its completion, providing an opportunity for future upgrading through additional training. The sustainability of the project results is guaranteed in the long term and through the acquisition of fixed assets.
The impact on the target groups - national structures and institutions - is expressed in supporting the prevention of radicalization processes in Bulgaria, as their activities will be supported as a result of the opportunity provided for daily contact between police and other officials and the Roma community, the trust that will be built between them and the information that will be provided to the competent authorities.
The process of establishing better contact between all competent and interested target groups is supported, and as a result of the activities, increased dialogue and interaction are guaranteed, at least 5 years after the completion of the project.
The provided by the project opportunity to build or renovate reception rooms in areas with compact Roma population allowed the Roma population to make daily contacts with police officers trained to work in this specific environment and to prevent processes of radicalization. As a result of the increased trust in police officers, there is a possibility that the Roma population may give information in cases of radicalization signs - parents regarding the behavior of children, neighbors regarding the behavior of young people or their families, etc. This information is and will be useful and transmitted in the appropriate order to the other competent institutions such as GDGP, DM, MP, SANS and others.
Achieving effective and long-term results was ensured by training representatives of those parts of society, including the Roma, where radicalization has a good ground for development. A significant focus is on adolescents and 18- to 25-year-olds, potentially more susceptible to these risks and influences. The elaborated methodology and other training materials ensured that similar, constructive training on the subject will be carried out for a minimum of 5 years after the end of the project. On the ground, trained staff will share their experience with their colleagues. The prepared training materials were included in the curriculum of the Academy of Ministry of Interior.