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.
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 the Financial Mechanism of European Economic Area (FM of EEA) and Norway grants.
Budget 50 000€
Status: rejected
“For our children” - Funded by the European Social Fund.
Budget 200 000€
Status: approved
Empowerment of Roma communities trough building a sustainable knowledge and skills for improved social inclusion - Funded by the FM of EEA.
Budget : 553 637€
Status : on reserve list
Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :
Community Action Groups (CAG):
* NGO establishment and management;
* Raising professional skills of Roma mediators;
* Local budget process, preparation of proposals for the 2024 municipal budget.
Local Authorities (LA):
* Information on procedure BG05SFPR002-2.003: “Future for the children” in Bulgaria;
* Partnership management for planning and implementation of municipal policies for social inclusion;
* Development of a Plan for integrated development of municipality - PIRO;
* Social and Emotional Development and Language Culture through Lego Education (training fo teachers).
LA and CAG :
* Grant procedure for financial assistance through the selection of project proposals BG05M2OP001-3.019 "SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS FOR ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION”;
* Presentation of Erasmus+ Program - KA1 Learning Mobility for Individuals; KA2 Cooperation between Organizations and Institutions;
* Increasing the sensitivity to hate speech and prejudice against the Roma in the planning and implementation of inclusive policie;
* Role and meaning of NGOs for active civil society. Work for public benefit
Taskforce :
* National programs 2021 - 2027 funded by the EU structural and cohesion funds in support of municipal policies for social inclusion;
* Partnership management for planning and implementation of municipal policies for social inclusion;
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.