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A Statement by the Speakers, Representatives of the Roma Civil Society at the

High Level Event on the Contribution of EU funds to Roma integration,

21-22 June 2011, Sofia

The European Commission Communication "EU framework for national strategies for Roma integration" of April 5, 2011 is a chance for a new impetus to the efforts for Roma integration. Each EU country is required to establish a National Roma Strategy by the end of 2011; this is a chance for Bulgaria - the country with the highest percentage of Roma population - to rationalize and systematize its previous experience in the field of Roma integration and to provide a document which implementation would lead to real and sustainable change.

The National Roma Strategy (NRS): an operational document

Bulgaria has a number of strategic documents: the Framework for Roma Integration into Bulgarian Society; the Strategy for Educational Integration of Children and Students of Ethnic Minorities; the Health Strategy for People in Vulnerable Position, Belonging to Ethnic Minorities, the National Program for Improving the Living Conditions of Roma, and so on. They are of a good quality. So far however they have not been implemented because of the lack of operational plans with concrete activities, financing, timeline and institutional engagement. The National Roma Strategy (NRS) Bulgaria is supposed to prepare by the end of 2011 is an opportunity for all of us to change this status quo!

We insist that the NRS is an operational and not purely strategic document: it must contain a clear operational plan for the implementation of the Framework program and the other strategic documents than to rather repeat them.

Towards higher goals: the NRS as a clear engagement for Bulgaria

The EU framework for national strategies for Roma integration set minimum targets to be achieved by all European countries. In the recent years Bulgaria has gained experience and expertise that enable the country to achievement higher goals than the minimum. E.g. our efforts in the field fo education should be directed not only to ensure basic education for every Roma child, but also to include the majority of Roma boys and girls in education in high school, as well as the formation of numerous Roma intellectuals with university degree. In addition, the Bulgarian experience has also showen the need for focused efforts in areas not included in the Communication of the European Commission.

We insist that the NRS sets targets to Roma integration higher than the minimum, and includes areas such as prevention of discrimination, equality of Romani women, keeping the Roma identity, Roma participation and others.

Accordingly, the NRS must include the mandatory elements required by the European Commission Communication, which the national integration documents has not provided so far: a clear and adequate funding from the state budget and European funds, defining micro-regions in a disadvantaged situation or segregated neighborhoods, which should be the subject of special attention; reliable mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the NRS; cooperation and ongoing dialogue with the Roma civil society and local authorities.

Of particular importance is the establishment of national contact point in relation to the national strategy for Roma inclusion as a body which has managing authority, ensures the real participation of Roma organizations and has powers in relation to the absorption of EU funds.

Towards concrete results: the NRS, the European funds in Bulgaria and the national programs

Both, Roma and the whole Bulgarian society need concrete results in all fields of Roma integration. One of the most important means for achieving these results is binding the European funds in Bulgaria with the policies for Roma integration. Therefore, an important element of the NRS should be how to use the resources of the European social fund, the European regional development fund and the European agricultural fund for the development of the rural areas of Bulgaria in support of the integration policy. This planning might happen only if the managing authorities of the respective operational programs and the Minister of EU Funds participate really in the process.

We insist that the NRS contain a specific plan with operations and measures to be announced within HRD OP, RD OP and RDP in the current programming period and in the next programming period. We insist on greater involvement of the topic of Roma integration in the programming documents for the next period by identifying specific priority axes "Integration of Roma" in HRD OP and RDOP as well as establishing an Intermediate body with capacity to manage these axes

National programs funded by the government are another important tool to achieve concrete results. We insist that NRS indicates specific national programs in the fields of education, employment, social services, health and improving the living conditions to support the implementation of integration policy;

Empowering the civil society: the preparation of the NRS

 
Over the past decade, civil society organizations have demonstrated their capacity to generate successful models of integration. At present Roma organizations are one of the main forms of expression of the Roma community. They need to actually participate in the development of the NRS and their participation should not be limited to the formal presence at high-profile events. It is necessary to include experts from Roma organizations to participate equally with the institutions in the preparation of the NRS and to guarantee that the document would not contain something denied by the Roma community and Roma organizations.

 
In order to achieve all pointed above we demand that two working groups are established: the first one to determine the national strategic goals and the second one to be engaged with planning of the EU funds in this and the next programming period. We insist that experts from the Roma organizations are involved in both working groups, together with representatives of the relevant institutions. We insist that regional and national discussion forums on key issues of the NRS are held.

 
The National Roma Strategy is a chance for Bulgaria's development! It is a chance we would not miss!

Speakers, Representatives of the Roma Civil Society at the High Level Event on the Contribution of EU funds to Roma integration, 21-22 June 2011, Sofia:

Deyan Kolev, Chairman of Center “Amalipe”, e-mail: deyan_kolev@yahoo.com, 0888-681-134

Stela Kostova, Chairman of Roma Youth Organization – Sliven and Deputy Chair of the National Council on Ethnic and Integration Issues, stela_rmo@slivenbg.net

Lilia Makaveeva, Director, Integro Assossiation – Razgrad, e-mail: l.makaveeva@gmail.com

Nikolay Kirilov, Director, Roma – Lom Foundation, e-mail: n.kirilov@kirilovi.com

Milen Milanov, Diverse and Equal Association, mdlp@abv.bg

Rumian Russinov, Director, Arete Youth Organization