Sredets
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The municipality of Sredets (Средец) is located in the Burgas region in South-Eastern Bulgaria, it is one of the largest territorial-administrative areas in the country. The municipality has 1 administrative centre (Sredets) and 31 villages. According to the latest census data, the Roma population in the municipality represents around 14% of the total population. The Community Action Group (CAG) estimates an alternative figure of 33% Roma as a total of the population. Most Roma live within the Sredets municipal centre (2 200 persons), or in Pobeda (Победа) neighbourhood, while three villages DE belt (Дебелт), Drachevo (Драчево) and Orlintsi (Орлинци) also register important Roma populations.
While electricity is available to all households, some of the dwellings in Roma neighbourhoods are not connected to the municipality's sewage system. Lack of access to sewage for some of the housing is largely due to the fact that the houses were built without property titles and necessary legal documentation. These houses, along with no basic sewage and hygiene facilities also often suffer from overcrowding with several families living in one apartment.
Municipal social housing in Roma areas is often insufficient and in poor condition, and, similar to other Bulgarian rural municipalities, road infrastructures in Sredets is either in very poor condition or non-existent. The Roma in Sredets also face a number of other serious issues, among them high unemployment rates, high levels of school drop-out and early marriages.
The ROMACT Process
Sredets joined the ROMACT Programme in November 2015 with the signature of the Letter of Agreement by the Mayor of the municipality, Mr Ivan Zhabov.
Prior to local elections in Bulgaria, the Community Action Group (CAG) formed and began formulating the priorities of the Roma community in terms of short-term and long-term priorities.
| Short-term priorities of the CAG | Objective 1 | Objective 2 | Objective 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Repair and pave the main streets in the neighborhood | Place waste containers in the neighbourhood | Organise regular garbage collection and close illegal dumpsite in Pobeda |
| Long-term priorities of the CAG | Objective 1 | Objective 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Adapt the urban planning of the municipality so as to include currently illegal Roma dwellings | Provide decent housing solutions for Roma family in need |
| Education | Reduce the school drop-out rates | Reduce the number of early marriages |
| Employment | Prepare emergency measures to reduce unemployment |
The taskforce (Public council for Social Inclusion) was created on 9 November 2016. Shortly after, the proposals of the CAG to update the existing MAPRI were approved by the Local Council.
The creation of a monitoring mechanism for the MAPRI was decided by the Local authorities and established in June 2017.
The Municipality benefited of ROMACT expertise 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.
* "Concept of municipality Sredets for social inclusion of vulnerable groups", submitted under Integrated procedure of OP HRD & OP SESG.
Budget : 282 000 €
Status : not submitted
* Preparatory activities under sub measure 19.1 "Community - led local development" under ERDF.
Budget : 1 388 353 €
Status : not submitted
* “For our children” ISUN №: BG05SFPR002-2.003-0105 - Funded by the European Social Fund.
Budget : 200 000€
Status : approved
Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :
Community Action Groups (CAG):
* Advocacy;
* Public speech and communication;
* Participation in the local consultative process;
* NGO establishment and management;
* Local self-governance;
* Basic aspects of project management cycle;
* Community development and community-based approaches.
Local Authorities (LA):
* Identifying available funding opportunities and how to linking them with priorities;
* Inclusive Roma Policies and Project Planning under EU Operational Programmes;
* Setting up the Municipal Taskforce;
* Solutions to reduce illegal housing;
* Identifying ways to integrate the priorities of MAPRI in the Municipal Development Plan (MDP);
* Planning the short-term and medium- term activities;
* Developing a new Urbanization plan;
* Information on procedure BG05SFPR002-2.003: “Future for the children” in Bulgaria.
Taskforce :
* Monitoring and evaluation and implementation of the JAP and policy-making on Roma issues;
* Communication techniques and skills with a specific focus on establishing cooperation between local stakeholders;
* National programs 2021 - 2027 funded by the EU structural and cohesion funds in support of municipal policies for social inclusion.
In terms of implementation of the MAPRI, the following activities were implemented:
* Renovation of a community centre of the Roma neighbourhood (B-CH funds);
* Recruitment of two educational mediators and a manager for the Roma Community centre (B-CH funds);
* Reconstruction of main streets of the villages Zagortsi, Svetlina and Fakia (ERDF)
* Asphalting of two streets in Podeba neighbourhood (Municipality);
* Purchasing of lands where houses are illegally built (Municipality);
* Screening for cardiovascular disease, diabetes examinations (B-CH funds);
* Campaign against drop-out (B-CH funds);
* Screening for gynaecological diseases and family planning initiatives including uninsured women (B-CH funds);
* Campaign for immunisation against measles (Regional Health Inspection);
* Additional Bulgarian language classes (Ministry of education, COIDUEM program);
* Psychological and speech therapy for pre-school children (Norwegian cooperation programme);
* Celebration of 8th April international Roma day;
* Spring cleaning in the Roma neighbourhood (CAG and the municipality) - closure of illegal dumps, 20 new containers provided.
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 during April - July 2020:
Initiative to counter COVID19 pandemic – Municipality of Sredets
ROMACT supported the municipality with 2557 € reaching +90 families within Roma community. The project provided essential food supplies for families with dire financial situation. The community action group took part in identifying the vulnerable families who were adversely impacted by the pandemic and distributed the packages.