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Description
The project aims to improve the opportunities for vulnerable Roma children to get fair and rights-based access to justice through the development and implementation of a specialized social service "Access to Justice", which is based on an integrated approach. The active participation of the Roma community in two neighbourhoods in Sofia (Filipovtsi and Fakulteta), community leaders, civil society organizations, specialists in the field of juvenile justice was encouraged in its development.
An information campaign in the community (sensitization meetings, training workshops and seminars) will raise sensitivity, knowledge and skills about the rights of children in contact with the law and how parents can advocate for them. Through participatory research and community and stakeholder consultations, the difficulties and needs that children have in contacting the justice system will be discussed and their expectations of support identified. An expert team, building on the findings of the research and consultation, will develop a specialist service programme, which will be delivered in a dedicated and equipped specialist environment, by a trained interdisciplinary team, with the support of community leaders and facilitators and institutional support.
The sustainability of the support provided in the specialised service is expected to have an impact on improving the access of children from the target groups to justice in line with their rights and in accordance with international best practices and CoE standards on juvenile justice. In this sense, the project proposal has added value and contribution in line with international and European standards on children’s rights and respect for their best interests.
Summary of project results
Raising the sensitivity and knowledge of the Roma community about the rights of children victims or witnesses of crime or children in conflict with the law in their access to justice, developing their skills to play the role of advocates for their children and encouraging their active participation and cooperation with local institutions and stakeholders.
Increasing the competences (knowledge, skills, and overcoming discriminatory attitudes) of professionals and representatives of the Bulgarian authorities.
A concept for an awareness campaign in the target communities and materials to increase the capacity of parents of child victims of crime and children in conflict with the law was developed.
Seven training videos have been produced.
Awareness raising and community sensitization campaigns have been conducted to improve access to friendly justice for child victims or witnesses of crime and children in conflict with the law.
An Action Research Report on the support needs of children involved in legal proceedings and their parents.
One of the most impactful outcomes was creating a specialized social service called “Access to justice”, which provided legal aid in social support for children involved in court proceedings. These services ensured that the children were not just passive subjects of legal procedures but were given a voice, proper guidance, and also emotional support throughout the process. In addition to direct services, the project worked to strengthen institutional capacity by training professionals on child-friendly legal procedures.
The project contributed to increasing sensitivity and knowledge of the Roma community and increased competence of stakeholders.