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Description
- Reconstruction and equipment of the Reception Center in Yambol for TCNs seeking international protection, inc. vulnerable persons/TCNs granted temporary protection, inc. vulnerable persons;
- Operation, maintenance and operating costs of the Yambol Reception Center for TCNs seeking international protection, inc. vulnerable persons/TCNs granted temporary protection, inc. vulnerable persons Web-based innovative tool;
- Provision of legal consultation, inc. provision of support services such as written and oral translation to applicants for international protection, inc. vulnerable persons / citizens of third countries granted temporary protection, inc. vulnerable persons
- Social and psychological counselling/help/support/guidance.
- Research and identification of good EU and other international applicable practices in order to increase the capacity of representatives of NGOs, state/public bodies, institutions, municipalities working in the field of asylum and migration, as well as those providing various services to citizens of third countries
- Organization of Bulgarian language training for citizens of third countries seeking international protection, inc. vulnerable persons / citizens of third countries granted temporary protection, inc. vulnerable persons;
- Increasing the expert capacity in the field of asylum and migration of representatives and employees of national institutions, NGOs and international organizations;
- Increasing the capacity of representatives of the authorities to implement legislation in the field of temporary protection;
- Increasing the expert capacity in the field of asylum and migration of journalists, school principals, lawyers, representatives of youth NGOs, volunteers, translators and representatives of vocational training and knowledge validation centers, employers;
- Development of a package of specific procedures and standards for the referral, reception, care and guardianship/representation of unaccompanied minors and minors;
Summary of project results
The project aimed to enhance Bulgaria''s national capacity to address asylum and migration challenges, focusing on improving services for third-country nationals seeking international protection or with granted temporary protection, with a special focus on vulnerable groups. It worked with two key groups: representatives of national institutions, local authorities and civil society and third-country nationals seeking international protection or with granted temporary protection.
Additionally, the project developed several intellectual resources available online, including a report on best practices for integrating asylum seekers on national level, a handbook on the rights and obligations of citizens with temporary protection in Bulgaria and a package of procedures for the care and representation of unaccompanied minors from third countries in Bulgaria. These resources aim to provide essential guidance for navigating the asylum and migration process.
The project was implemented smoothly, with minimal challenges, thanks to the extensive experience, background and capacity of the Bulgarian Red Cross and the two project partners in managing asylum and migration-related initiatives. With years of expertise in providing services to vulnerable groups, including third-country nationals seeking international protection or temporary protection, the organization was well-equipped to handle the complexities of this project.
The Bulgarian Red Cross’s established cooperation with national institutions, local authorities and civil society organizations facilitated seamless coordination across multiple cities. This allowed for efficient delivery of trainings and services, ensuring consistent quality throughout the project.
Moreover, the organization’s experience in working with vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied minors and individuals with temporary protection, enabled the team to tailor support effectively, meeting the specific needs of participants. The existing relationships with local partners further ensured that the services were delivered in a way that was both practical and accessible.
The only adjustments made during the project were minor and related to the logistics of organizing activities across various locations. However, due to the Bulgarian Red Cross’s well-established operational frameworks, these adjustments were handled quickly and efficiently. In conclusion, all activities were successfully carried out, and no significant difficulties were encountered.
Аll activities were successfully carried out and no significant difficulties were noted. The project organized 17 trainings in three areas: 5 trainings for 79 local authority representatives in five Bulgarian cities to strengthen temporary protection implementation; 6 trainings for 103 civil-society representatives on asylum and migration issues and 6 trainings for 151 national institutions and international NGOs representatives to improve their capacity in the field of asylum and migration.
A Center for Integrated Services - Reception Center was established in the city of Yambol for third-country nationals seeking international protection or with granted temporary protection, offering free accommodation, food and integration support. This 10-bed facility, fully furnished and technically equipped, operated for five months, assisting 17 individuals from Ukraine with temporary protection. In addition to basic needs, it offered social and psychological counseling, legal assistance for integration and support to help participants become self-sufficient and actively engaged in Bulgarian society.
The project organized three Bulgarian language courses (A1 level) for 45 third-country nationals seeking international protection or with temporary protection, held in Burgas, Varna, and the Reception Center in Harmanli. This included 15 Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection in Burgas. The courses helped participants develop language skills necessary for daily life, social integration, and employment.
In total, 464 personalized consultations were provided, focusing on legal, social and psychological support, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups. Legal consultations guided individuals through their rights and administrative processes, while social consultations offered practical support in housing, healthcare and education. Psychological consultations addressed emotional challenges related to mental well-being.
The following actions were taken regarding the dissemination of the project to the public and stakeholders:
- Event for the official opening of the Center in the city of Yambol - the event aimed to promote and present to partners, stakeholders and the media one of the largest project activities with 33 participants attending the event.
- Press-conference for presenting the project, in the city of Yambol - this informational event was attended by 32 media representatives, stakeholders, NGOs, and other interested parties.
- Press conference for presenting the project in Sofia - the information event was attended by 25 media representatives, interested parties, NGOs and others.
- Press conference for the end of the project in the city of Yambol - the information event was attended by 32 media representatives, interested parties, NGOs and others.
- Press conference for the end of the project in Sofia - the information event was attended by 30 media representatives, interested parties, NGOs and others.
The project team of Bulgarian Red Cross and Euroclub Woman participated in 2 TV interviews in Local TV Channel. The project team of Bulgarian Red Cross and Euroclub Woman ensured 10 paid press releases in online/printed media, aiming to present information about upcoming or past project events
Additionally, the project developed several intellectual resources available online, including a report on best practices for integrating asylum seekers on national level, a handbook on the rights and obligations of citizens with temporary protection in Bulgaria and a package of procedures for the care and representation of unaccompanied minors from third countries in Bulgaria. These resources aim to provide essential guidance for navigating the asylum and migration process.
The main results of the project are as follows: establishment of a Reception Center for individuals seeking international protection in Yambol, with a capacity of 10 places, which was renovated, furnished, and fully operational. The Bulgarian Red Cross team provided all essential services for secure accommodation, and 17 people from Ukraine received social, psychological, and legal consultations with language translation. The project also included training for authorities on the application of temporary protection legislation, covering protection types in Bulgaria and the European Union, along with other related topics. Legal, social, and psychological consultations were provided, and a Handbook was prepared, printed, and distributed in Bulgarian, English, and Ukrainian, outlining the rights and obligations of third-country nationals under temporary protection in Bulgaria. European and international best practices were explored and identified to enhance the capacity of organizations working in the field of asylum and migration. A report on these best practices, with guidelines for their implementation by target groups, was also prepared. Three Bulgarian language courses for individuals under temporary protection and vulnerable persons were organized, improving their access to employment, healthcare, social services, and other aspects of life in Bulgaria. A total of 151 employees from national institutions, NGOs, and international organizations were trained on asylum and migration through 6 courses. Additionally, a report was created on procedures and standards for working with unaccompanied minors, including best practices from 6 countries. The report is publicly available. A series of meetings and discussions were held to increase the capacity of state, public, and NGO representatives, covering key topics such as protection types in Bulgaria, healthcare, social issues, labor employment, and working with vulnerable individuals.
The project''s sustainability is expected to have a long-term impact on the national ability to address asylum and migration challenges. By training 333 individuals from local authorities, civil society, and institutions, the project strengthened the national capacity to manage asylum and migration processes, particularly for vulnerable third-country nationals. These trained stakeholders will continue applying their knowledge, improving services for future asylum seekers. The establishment of the Integrated Services Center in Yambol, offering accommodation, legal, social, and psychological support, provides a sustainable model for assisting temporary protection beneficiaries and aiding their integration into Bulgarian society. The Bulgarian Red Cross has committed to maintaining its operation for at least five years after the project''s completion. The project''s intellectual resources, including reports and handbooks, serve as valuable tools for continued guidance and knowledge sharing on asylum and migration practices, ensuring the project''s lasting impact.