15.04.2016EU Funds: Opportunities to support Roma integration - political speech during the forum
Highest political and diplomatic participation, discussions on specific issues and important political messages characterized the forum "European Funds: Opportunities to support Roma integration." It was held on 8 April in Sofia hotel 'Ramada - Princess ". Deputy Prime Ministers Kalfin and Donchev, representatives of the European Commission, World Bank, ambassadors and representatives of six embassies, MAs of key programs related to the integration of Roma and non-governmental organizations participated in the forum. It was organized by the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe" and "Open Society" Institute under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo Kalfin.
Bulgaria has a good political framework for Roma integration, but necessary large-scale long-term policies for its implementation are missing. There are good practices for Roma integration, especially in the fields of education and health, but so far they have not led to sustainable national policies. European funds provide some of the necessary financial resources but the lack of broad public support and sufficient political will are obstacles to transform those projects into policies. There are also weaknesses in areas such as housing conditions that need to be repaired. These were part of the general conclusions made not only by representatives of Roma NGOs and diplomats, but also by the participating politicians.
Coordinating the efforts of politicians and civil sector to overcome the anti-Roma stereotypes and to form a political consensus, use of EU funds for strategic investments in sustainable models of integration, focus and efforts on topics such as early childhood development, professional qualification and the situation in the Roma neighborhoods were some of the topics around which was formed consensus support. Three specific solutions met the support of the participating politicians and representatives of civil society organizations:
- Establishment of a political mechanism for joint programming of operations for Roma integration, funded by the EU programs, the EEA Financial Mechanism, Swiss Cooperation Programme and other instruments;
- Drafting an updated plan of operations for Roma integration, funded by the EU programs, the EEA Financial Mechanism, Swiss Cooperation Programme and other tools
- Support for the idea of a free kindergarten for all children: more information on http://amalipe.com/index.php?nav=news&id=2566&lang=2
"With the opposition in society there are no winners, we're all losers. So we should not allow the isolation of the Roma or any other community ", said Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo Kalfin of the opening panel of the forum. There were already implemented good practices related to increasing opportunities and improving the quality of life of vulnerable groups. Good projects will continue, and those who are not sufficiently effective, will be reconsidered so that to optimize the resources of the state and the operational programs and they reach the people, who need them the most, added Kalfin.
Free kindergarten for all children, vocational education and eliminating ghettos are among the main priorities that will lead to improving the lives of Roma. Deputy Prime MInister illustrated that with data showing that half of the unemployed have been without a completed even primary education.
We need more active participation of NGOs in making integration policies and NCCEII is the forum for this, said Kalfin, who is also a Chairman of the National Council. He acknowledged that currently NCCEII have not fulfilled this role and needed deep reform, that would be offered for public discussion. More information about the introductory words of Deputy Prime Minister Kalfin see on http://www.mlsp.government.bg/index.php?section=PRESS2&prid=576
"Roma are citizens of their countries and citizens of the European Union, they are not "second hand" citizens! So European institutions and national governments have joint responsibility for improving socio-economic conditions in which Roma live", stressed in his opening speech Aurelio Sesilio, Head of Bulgaria and Romania in DG" Employment" of the European Commission. Due to the non-recovered after the attack on March 22, flights from Brussels to Sofia, Mr. Sesilio and other experts of the European Commission participated in the conference via a video message. "Better integration of Roma should be considered as a fundamental human right and as an economic opportunity ... Three of the five objectives of the strategy" Europe 2020 "are directly related to the objectives of the EU framework for national strategies for Roma integration" - said the representative of the European Commission. He emphasized the most important lesson of the past years: principles of partnership and coordination are very important for the success of Roma integration - coordination between policies and financial instruments, coordination between different actors (national government, NGOs and local authorities), coordination between sectors and operational programs.
The European Commission identifies three main challenges for implementation of the integration policy in Bulgaria: the overcoming of anti-Roma discrimination, ensuring an integrated approach (education, employment, health and social services and improving housing conditions should be done together for one and the same groups), assuring the necessary funding - EU, national and from other sources. The commitment of the most important political factors is crucial, said Mr. Sesilio and congratulated Deputy Prime Ministers Kalfin and Donchev for their sustained commitment. The video message of Mr. Aurelio Sesilio see on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=carBdHGzEQ4
Roma integration as a shared responsibility and the support that the EU countries indicate to Bulgaria was among the topics in the sppech of Hon. Tom van Oorshot, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. He pointed out the importance of social inclusion of Roma for the whole Bulgarian society and emphasized the good cooperation between the Dutch government, the Bulgarian government and the Centre "Amalipe" in the project to regulate labor migration from Bulgaria to the Netherlands. Full speech here.
Roma integration as an important factor for economic growth in Bulgaria was central thesis in welcoming speech of the head of the World Bank for Bulgaria Tony Thompson. He also stressed the importance of investment in early childhood development and preschool education, which is the best measure to prevent school dropout.
Dimitar Dimitrov, director of the program "Roma" of the "Open Society" Institute emphasized the importance of what concrete results have been achieved with European funds invested. He recalled that as a result of the support shown by the Open Society, Amalipe and 5 other Roma organizations within PLATFORM project, dozens of organizations, schools, municipalities and other beneficiaries prepared and implemented projects aimed at Roma and financed with EU funds.
Deyan Kolev, chairman of Amalipe, accented on these four points in his opening speech:
- Roma integration is both a national and a European issue affecting the fundamental values of the EU;
- European funds are not a solution by itself, they are a means to implement national policies on integration. Without political commitment, funds alone will not help. At the same time they are a necessary condition without which integration policies cannot be implemented;
- There are many successful projects and even complete integration models. EU funds should focus its impact on turning into national policies;
- In spite of anti-Roma discrimination, the economic crisis and weak political support, good results are achieved in the field: percentage of dropouts and early marriages are reduced, percentage of Roma with secondary and higher education has increased ... These successes often happen not because of policies integration, but thanks to the internal potential of the Roma community and support among democratically minded people of the majority. European funds should base their interventions on these two factors!
"We must admit that we still lack political consensus on Roma integration: many politicians are silent and did not comment on the topic. We should create together this consensus ", said Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev during the final panel. He stressed that Bulgaria has established successful practices for Roma integration, especially in education and health: we already know what needs to be done in those fields - these practices must become policies. The situation in the labor market is not exactly the same. And in the field of housing we frankly failed.
We must admit that the integrated measure of social housing, implemented in three municipalities did not achieve the expected effect!", said Minister Donchev, who was the initiator of the measure. "The negative reaction of the majority surprised us and it wasn't addressed appropriately by local authorities. Perhaps it was a mistake that we over trusted the European Commission, which insisted that social housing should be made only outside the Roma neighborhoods. Let me hold an in-depth discussion if we intervene in the Roma neighborhoods: I am ready to defend the conclusions we reach in front of the European Commission", promised Donchev.
"I am pleased with the commitment of the operational programs to Roma integration, especially those co-financed by the European Social Fund. I am wooried of the lack of commitment on the part of the Programme for Rural Development and I will work to change that", said Donchev.
"My brief answer is" Yes!", said Deputy Prime Minister on the proposals for the establishment of a political mechanism for joint planning of operations for Roma integration funded by EU programs, EEA Financial Mechanism, Swiss Cooperation Programme and other instruments, and for the preparation of an updated Plan of operations for Roma integration. He supported the proposal of Deputy Prime Minister Kalfin to eliminate fees for kindergarten for all children.
Rositsa Ivanova, Secretary of NCCEII, familiarized participants with the developing monitoring system for the National Strategy for Roma integration. IShe appealed for active participation of civil society organizations in this process.
The effect of EU structural and cohesion funds in Bulgaria is a non-cohesive said Boyan Zahariev, project manager of Platform project. He presented figures for the acquired funds from different municipalities in Bulgaria. They show that the vast majority of investments are made in large cities: Sofia (absorbed over 40% of all funds for municipal projects), Varna, Gabrovo and others. Rural communities have received significantly less money, which in itself stimulates migration, said Zahariev. The new programming period should have a cohesive effect: both territorial effect and for vulnerable groups.
The two plenary panels held between the opening and closing sessions, discussed the inclusion of Roma integration in OP "Science and education for smart growth," OP "Human Resources Development", OP "Regions in growth", OP "Rural Development", Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme and the Norwegian financial mechanism. Presentations and information about discussions read on www.amalipe.com
The forum was organized by the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe" under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo Kalfin within PLATFORM project, implemented by the "Open Society" Institute- Sofia
Highest political and diplomatic participation, discussions on specific issues and important political messages characterized the forum "European Funds: Opportunities to support Roma integration." It was held on 8 April in Sofia hotel 'Ramada - Princess ". Deputy Prime Ministers Kalfin and Donchev, representatives of the European Commission, World Bank, ambassadors and representatives of six embassies, MAs of key programs related to the integration of Roma and non-governmental organizations participated in the forum. It was organized by the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe" and "Open Society" Institute under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo Kalfin.
Bulgaria has a good political framework for Roma integration, but necessary large-scale long-term policies for its implementation are missing. There are good practices for Roma integration, especially in the fields of education and health, but so far they have not led to sustainable national policies. European funds provide some of the necessary financial resources but the lack of broad public support and sufficient political will are obstacles to transform those projects into policies. There are also weaknesses in areas such as housing conditions that need to be repaired. These were part of the general conclusions made not only by representatives of Roma NGOs and diplomats, but also by the participating politicians.
Coordinating the efforts of politicians and civil sector to overcome the anti-Roma stereotypes and to form a political consensus, use of EU funds for strategic investments in sustainable models of integration, focus and efforts on topics such as early childhood development, professional qualification and the situation in the Roma neighborhoods were some of the topics around which was formed consensus support. Three specific solutions met the support of the participating politicians and representatives of civil society organizations:
- Establishment of a political mechanism for joint programming of operations for Roma integration, funded by the EU programs, the EEA Financial Mechanism, Swiss Cooperation Programme and other instruments;
- Drafting an updated plan of operations for Roma integration, funded by the EU programs, the EEA Financial Mechanism, Swiss Cooperation Programme and other tools
- Support for the idea of a free kindergarten for all children: more information on http://amalipe.com/index.php?nav=news&id=2566&lang=2
"With the opposition in society there are no winners, we're all losers. So we should not allow the isolation of the Roma or any other community ", said Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo Kalfin of the opening panel of the forum. There were already implemented good practices related to increasing opportunities and improving the quality of life of vulnerable groups. Good projects will continue, and those who are not sufficiently effective, will be reconsidered so that to optimize the resources of the state and the operational programs and they reach the people, who need them the most, added Kalfin.
Free kindergarten for all children, vocational education and eliminating ghettos are among the main priorities that will lead to improving the lives of Roma. Deputy Prime MInister illustrated that with data showing that half of the unemployed have been without a completed even primary education.
We need more active participation of NGOs in making integration policies and NCCEII is the forum for this, said Kalfin, who is also a Chairman of the National Council. He acknowledged that currently NCCEII have not fulfilled this role and needed deep reform, that would be offered for public discussion. More information about the introductory words of Deputy Prime Minister Kalfin see on http://www.mlsp.government.bg/index.php?section=PRESS2&prid=576
"Roma are citizens of their countries and citizens of the European Union, they are not "second hand" citizens! So European institutions and national governments have joint responsibility for improving socio-economic conditions in which Roma live", stressed in his opening speech Aurelio Sesilio, Head of Bulgaria and Romania in DG" Employment" of the European Commission. Due to the non-recovered after the attack on March 22, flights from Brussels to Sofia, Mr. Sesilio and other experts of the European Commission participated in the conference via a video message. "Better integration of Roma should be considered as a fundamental human right and as an economic opportunity ... Three of the five objectives of the strategy" Europe 2020 "are directly related to the objectives of the EU framework for national strategies for Roma integration" - said the representative of the European Commission. He emphasized the most important lesson of the past years: principles of partnership and coordination are very important for the success of Roma integration - coordination between policies and financial instruments, coordination between different actors (national government, NGOs and local authorities), coordination between sectors and operational programs.
The European Commission identifies three main challenges for implementation of the integration policy in Bulgaria: the overcoming of anti-Roma discrimination, ensuring an integrated approach (education, employment, health and social services and improving housing conditions should be done together for one and the same groups), assuring the necessary funding - EU, national and from other sources. The commitment of the most important political factors is crucial, said Mr. Sesilio and congratulated Deputy Prime Ministers Kalfin and Donchev for their sustained commitment. The video message of Mr. Aurelio Sesilio see on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=carBdHGzEQ4
Roma integration as a shared responsibility and the support that the EU countries indicate to Bulgaria was among the topics in the sppech of Hon. Tom van Oorshot, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. He pointed out the importance of social inclusion of Roma for the whole Bulgarian society and emphasized the good cooperation between the Dutch government, the Bulgarian government and the Centre "Amalipe" in the project to regulate labor migration from Bulgaria to the Netherlands. Full speech here.
Roma integration as an important factor for economic growth in Bulgaria was central thesis in welcoming speech of the head of the World Bank for Bulgaria Tony Thompson. He also stressed the importance of investment in early childhood development and preschool education, which is the best measure to prevent school dropout.
Dimitar Dimitrov, director of the program "Roma" of the "Open Society" Institute emphasized the importance of what concrete results have been achieved with European funds invested. He recalled that as a result of the support shown by the Open Society, Amalipe and 5 other Roma organizations within PLATFORM project, dozens of organizations, schools, municipalities and other beneficiaries prepared and implemented projects aimed at Roma and financed with EU funds.
Deyan Kolev, chairman of Amalipe, accented on these four points in his opening speech:
- Roma integration is both a national and a European issue affecting the fundamental values of the EU;
- European funds are not a solution by itself, they are a means to implement national policies on integration. Without political commitment, funds alone will not help. At the same time they are a necessary condition without which integration policies cannot be implemented;
- There are many successful projects and even complete integration models. EU funds should focus its impact on turning into national policies;
- In spite of anti-Roma discrimination, the economic crisis and weak political support, good results are achieved in the field: percentage of dropouts and early marriages are reduced, percentage of Roma with secondary and higher education has increased ... These successes often happen not because of policies integration, but thanks to the internal potential of the Roma community and support among democratically minded people of the majority. European funds should base their interventions on these two factors!
"We must admit that we still lack political consensus on Roma integration: many politicians are silent and did not comment on the topic. We should create together this consensus ", said Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev during the final panel. He stressed that Bulgaria has established successful practices for Roma integration, especially in education and health: we already know what needs to be done in those fields - these practices must become policies. The situation in the labor market is not exactly the same. And in the field of housing we frankly failed.
We must admit that the integrated measure of social housing, implemented in three municipalities did not achieve the expected effect!", said Minister Donchev, who was the initiator of the measure. "The negative reaction of the majority surprised us and it wasn't addressed appropriately by local authorities. Perhaps it was a mistake that we over trusted the European Commission, which insisted that social housing should be made only outside the Roma neighborhoods. Let me hold an in-depth discussion if we intervene in the Roma neighborhoods: I am ready to defend the conclusions we reach in front of the European Commission", promised Donchev.
"I am pleased with the commitment of the operational programs to Roma integration, especially those co-financed by the European Social Fund. I am wooried of the lack of commitment on the part of the Programme for Rural Development and I will work to change that", said Donchev.
"My brief answer is" Yes!", said Deputy Prime Minister on the proposals for the establishment of a political mechanism for joint planning of operations for Roma integration funded by EU programs, EEA Financial Mechanism, Swiss Cooperation Programme and other instruments, and for the preparation of an updated Plan of operations for Roma integration. He supported the proposal of Deputy Prime Minister Kalfin to eliminate fees for kindergarten for all children.
Rositsa Ivanova, Secretary of NCCEII, familiarized participants with the developing monitoring system for the National Strategy for Roma integration. IShe appealed for active participation of civil society organizations in this process.
The effect of EU structural and cohesion funds in Bulgaria is a non-cohesive said Boyan Zahariev, project manager of Platform project. He presented figures for the acquired funds from different municipalities in Bulgaria. They show that the vast majority of investments are made in large cities: Sofia (absorbed over 40% of all funds for municipal projects), Varna, Gabrovo and others. Rural communities have received significantly less money, which in itself stimulates migration, said Zahariev. The new programming period should have a cohesive effect: both territorial effect and for vulnerable groups.
The two plenary panels held between the opening and closing sessions, discussed the inclusion of Roma integration in OP "Science and education for smart growth," OP "Human Resources Development", OP "Regions in growth", OP "Rural Development", Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme and the Norwegian financial mechanism. Presentations and information about discussions read on www.amalipe.com
The forum was organized by the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe" under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo Kalfin within PLATFORM project, implemented by the "Open Society" Institute- Sofia
