More information
Description
The project is to create sustainable mechanisms for improving the conditions and opportunities of people living in Roma communities in the municipality by implementing integrated measures, including improving access to social services, education, employment, health care and non-discrimination, as well as empowering the Roma. The project is aimed at Roma living in the municipality of Blagoevgrad (over 5100 people). Among ethnic minorities and especially among Roma population, there are various factors fostering poverty - early school leaving, low education, long-term unemployment and lack of work habits, limited employment opportunities, poor living conditions, lack of access to health, social and educational services. The project proposal envisages the implementation of integrated measures and will cover many cases and will make efforts to solve problems related to improving health status, reducing poverty, unfavourable environment and housing, lifestyle and more. The project will provide support and easier access to education and health care and employment for members of the Roma community and will support measures to overcome the risk of social exclusion and discrimination. A mobile health office equipped with medical equipment will be provided. Infrastructure activities are planned for the construction of a Community center and for waste collection. Information campaigns are planned for both the Roma people and the majority. The project is developed with active participation of the Roma community in Blagoevgrad municipality and the partner organisations.
Summary of project results
Some of the problems of the target group in the Municipality of Blagoevgrad was difficult access of Roma and other vulnerable groups to quality services in the following sectors: social assistance, education, employment and healthcare, poor living conditions of people from the Roma community, inactive people from Roma communities, including Roma women and youth, acts of discrimination and negative attitudes against the Roma population in the municipality.
A Coordination Mechanism for cooperation between the various institutions was developed, individual and group supervisions were conducted, a project implementation team was appointed (psychologist, social worker, professional consultant, two educational and two health mediators), as well as pedagogical staff (Bulgarian language teachers; mathematics and information technology teachers), who provided services and training for Roma of all ages. Cardiological examinations and provision of medical services to adult Roma and those without health insurance rights were carried out.
A cadastral map and orthophoto map were developed and consultations were held on procedures for issuing "tolerance certificates" for illegal buildings in the neighborhood.
A new Community Center and playground were built in the Roma neighborhood, the necessary equipment, furniture and materials were delivered, including textbooks and teaching aids for children from vulnerable groups. The center is a recognized place for meetings and trainings for all residents of the Roma neighborhood. A lift truck, a garbage truck and garbage containers were purchased, campaigns for separate waste collection and cleaning initiatives were carried out, and the neighborhood became much cleaner and more welcoming.
Motivational and professional competence trainings were carried out, empowering campaigns and trainings were carried out. Information activities and various campaigns were carried out, which aimed to increase the level of knowledge and acceptance by the Roma and marginalized groups.
Through the implementation of the project, sustainable mechanisms were created to improve the status and opportunities of people living in Roma communities on the territory of the municipality through the implementation of integrated measures, including improving access to social services, education, employment, healthcare and non-discrimination, as well as empowering Roma. The opened Community Center, which is part of the municipality, became a hub and attractive place for people from the Roma community. The purchased lift truck, a garbage truck and garbage containers conitue to be used in the neighborhood. More than 600 people from Roma origin benefitted from the integreated servises provided through the project, and more 3000 people took part in the various events organized under the project, thus increasing trust, knowledge and acceptance between the two groups.
Summary of bilateral results
The partner took part in the informational events of the beneficiary. One visit for 8 persons from the Municipality of Blagoevgrad and representatives from the two Bulgarian parenters was organized and implemented aiming at exchange of experience and good practices with different organizations from the Kingdom of Norway in the field of energy poverty and methods of combating it.