Belogradchik
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Belogradchik Municipality is a located municipality in Vidin Province, Northwestern Bulgaria. To the west and southwest, the municipality borders on Republic of Serbia. Vidin Province is reported as the region that is the fastest depopulating in Europe.
Belogradchik administers 18 villages.
According to the local administration, there are approximately 1 600 Roma living in the municipality. They live in separate neighborhoods and are concentrated in Belogradchik, Rabisha, Veshtitsa and Oshane.
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, high unemployment, fewer children in schools. Belogradchik is located in a region that is the fastest depopulating in Europe.
Some of the main issues Roma are faced with are:
- - Illegal houses;
- - A huge number of the population emigrate to Western Europe;
- - High unemployment rate;
- - A huge number of people do not have health insurance.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT started in April 2020 with the signature of the Letter of agreement and continued until December 2022.
The Taskforce for Roma inclusion was created following Mayor's approval in September 2020.
The Municipal Action Plan for Roma Inclusion was adopted together with the Local Development Strategy in December 2021.
As of January 2024, ROMACT process is reinforced in Belogradchik and a new agreement was signed by the Mayor to reinforce the ROMACT cycle in the municipality.
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.
* "Empowerment of Roma communities trough building a sustainable knowledge and skills for improved social inclusion" - Funded by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, “Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Enhanced Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups” Programme BGLD-3.002.
Budget : 553 636€
Status : rejected
* Establishing a roma community center, BGCULTURE-2.001-0060 - Funded by Vovacom ltd.
Budget : 2 500€
Status : rejected
Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :
Community Action Groups:
* Assessing community needs, Community Survey;
* Participating in the municipal budget process;
* Developing team work skills to increase the capacity of Taskforce;
Local Authorities :
* Data collection and preparation of the Community needs assessment;
* Development of a Plan for integrated develoment of municipality - PIRO;
* Participation in a public consultation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan of Bulgaria;
* Developing MIDP.
LA and CAG :
* Consultations with LA and CAG on the establishment of neighbourhood councils.
Taskforce :
* Increasing the capacity of Taskforce for team work.
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 projects were supported by ROMACT in Belogradchik during May 2020 – March 2021:
Let’s play together on the playground! – Municipality of Belogradchik
ROMACT supported the municipality with 5007 € for the renovation of an existing playground which created a pleasant and safe public place for children in the Roma community. Public discussions and workshops focusing on “socially responsible and tolerant behaviour in society” were also organized for children and their parents in the community.
Initiative to counter COVID19 pandemic - Belogradchik
ROMACT supported the municipality with 2512 € reaching 180 people in Roma community. The project covered information campaign on COVID19 and provided masks, disinfectant products, informative flyers to raise awareness in the community. Food supplies were also provided for families with dire financial situation.