Rakitovo

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 October 2020. 

In January 2021, the Municipality Inclusion Development Plan was adopted and included all the community proposals.

As of May 2023, ROMACT process is reinforced in Rakitovo and a new agreement was signed by the mayor.

The Municipality benefited of ROMACT expertise for the following project :
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.

* “Hot lunch at home in an emergency situation 2020” - Funded by the national budget.
Budget : 3 435€ 
Status: approved

* DICIMUS - Inclusive and innovative educational ecosystem in Danube Region - Funded by the Interreg VI-B Danube program.
Budget : 170 415€
Status : rejected

Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :

Local Authorities (LA):
* Including priorities and measures for Roma communities in the Integrated stratedies for territorial development;
* Participation in a public consultation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan of Bulgaria;
* Intercultural training;
* National programs 2021 - 2027 funded by the EU structural and cohesion funds in support of municipal policies for social inclusion;
* Development of a Plan for integrated develoment of municipality - PIRO.

Community Action Groups (CAG):
* Introducing planning and implementation of a community survey;
* Participation of CAG members in the municipal budget process;
* Participation in a Taskforce meeting on the identified needs and priorities of the community;
* Community Action Groups: Understand and Participate in CLLD strategies;
* Forms of advocacy, Role and functions of Local Authorities
* Intercultural training;

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 projects were supported by ROMACT in Rakitovo during April 2020 – May 2021:

Initiative to counter COVID19 pandemic – Municipality of Rakitovo
ROMACT supported the municipality with 2550 € reaching 450 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.

The sun shines equally for all! – Municipality of Rakitovo
ROMACT supported the municipality with 5002 € for the renovation of an existing playground in order to create a pleasant and safe public place for 630+ Roma children in Zapad neighbourhood. Public discussions and workshops focusing on “socially responsible and tolerant behaviour in society” were also organized for the children and their parents.

ROMACT in the media : 

“ Слънцето свети еднакво за всички“ за децата от Ракитово - "The sun shines equally for all" for the children from Rakitovo