Kaspichan
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Kaspichan Municipality is located central northeastern Bulgaria, part of Shumen Province.
It administers 9 places: Kaspichan, Kaspichan (village), Kosovo, Kyulevcha, Markovo, Mogila, Pliska, Varbyane, Zlatna Niva.
Roma are located in seven neighbourhoods in Kaspichan municipality: Kaspichan; Kaspichan (village), Kosovo, Markovo, Pliska, Varbyane and Zlatna Niva.
Roma are from different sub-groups: some of them have Romani, Turkish of Romanian as mother tongue, using Bulgarian as a second language.
The municipality is actively trying to develop project proposals under the Operational Programmes. In recent years there has been active migration to major cities in the country and abroad.
Some of the main problems Roma are faced with:
• A huge number of the population emigrates to Western Europe;
• High unemployment rate;
• A huge number of people do not have health insurance;
• Early marriages.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT started in March 2020 with the signature of the Letter of agreement.
The Taskforce for Roma inclusion was created following Mayor's approval in September 2020.
In March 2021, the Municipality Inclusion Development Plan was adopted and included 50% of the community proposals.
As of July 2023, ROMACT process is reinforced in Kaspichan and a new agreement was signed by the Mayor.
ROMACT Small Grants Scheme
ROMACT offers small grants scheme to support the efforts of the municipalities and Community Action Groups to respond together to the needs of the most vulnerable and to multiply the good practices across ROMACT municipalities.
Under the scheme of small grants, the following project was supported by ROMACT between May – August 2020:
Initiative to counter COVID19 pandemic – Municipality of Kaspichan
ROMACT supported the municipality with 2545 € and reached 237 vulnerable citizens during the first peak of pandemic. The project covered information campaign on COVID19 and provided masks, disinfectant products, informative flyers to raise awareness. Food supplies were also provided for families with dire financial situation.
Trainings
ROMACT experts have provided the following training since the start of implementing the programme:
For Community Action Group:
* NGO establishment and management
The Municipality benefited from ROMACT expertise to apply for the following projects:
The expertise provided by ROMACT for municipalities involves training and guidance on preparing project proposals and implementing inclusive policies aimed at improving the living conditions and social integration of vulnerable populations, including the Roma.
* "Roma culture yesterday, today and tomorrow" - Funded by FM of EEA and Norway grants - Budget 50 000€ - Status: Rejected
* “For our children” - Funded by ESF+ (European Social Fund) - Budget 200 000€ - Status: Under evaluation