News

Deyan Kolev (Center Amalipe) was elected for representative and Milena Ilieva (World without Borders Association) – for deputy representatives of the group of NGOs working  for social inclusion and integration of ethnic minorities and marginalized groups in the Monitoring Committee of Science and Education  for Smart Growth Operational Program(SESGOP). This happened through procedure of election organized by Ministry of Education, Managing Authority of the new Program.

The procedure contained 2 stages. Within the first one, NGOs had to prove their expertise in planning and implementing programs or projects financed by EU funds. As result 6 organizations were selected – Center Amalipe, World without Borders Association, New Road Association, Indi-Roma 97 Foundation, Social Change and Inclusion Foundation and Caritas Bulgaria. Within the second stage they elected representative and deputy. With 5 (out of 6) votes were elected Deyan Kolev (representative) and Milena Ilieva (deputy)

Science and Education  for Smart Growth Operational Program(SESGOP) will be the only two-funded program financed by European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund (plus the national co-financing). The national decision for establishing this program was taken by Bulgarian government in January 2013 and later approved by European Commission. The Program was prepared by working group in which Roma organizations were represented by Deyan Kolev. Working draft of SCSGOP was approved by Bulgarian government in May 2014 and submitted for comments to European Commission.  It contains Priority Axis for educational integration as well as investment priority “3.2. Socio-economic integration of marginalized communities such as Roma”. It will support projects for educational integration submitted by schools, municipalities and NGOs.

It is expected that the Program will be finalized and signed at the beginning of 2015.