Antonovo
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Antonovo is located in Targovishte Province in Northeastern Bulgaria. The largest ethnic group of the municipality is Turkish.
The industry is extremely poorly developed, there is only one enterprise that produces road signs and facilities. There are 55 registered companies in the municipality in the sectors of hotels, restaurants and trade. Tourism is not developed either.
In the municipality, Roma are Horahane Roma (Turkish/Muslim Roma) and live in Antonovo town and Izvorovo and Moravitsa villages.
The ROMACT Process
ROMACT Process started in April 2021 with the signature of the Letter of Agreement.
The Taskforce for Roma inclusion was created following Mayor's approval in December 2021.
The Municipal Action Plan for Roma inclusion was adopted by the Local Council in January 2022.
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.
* "Fair chances for better future of Roma in Sungulare and Antonovo municipalities" - Funded by the Financial Mechanism of European Economic Area (FM EEA) - Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Enhanced Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups - Programme BGLD-3.002.
Status : approved
* "Engagement and work with children from different ethnicities and minority groups and people of age, carriers of traditions and culture in Antonovo municipality" - National Fund CULTURE.
Budget : 15 345€
Status : rejected
* "Happy Childhood and Green Future" - Funded by USA Embassy in Bulgaria.
Budget : 23 529€
Status : not submitted
* “Art makes the world a better place “ - Funded by FM EEA 2014-2020 - Cultural Entrepreneurship, Heritage and Cooperation; BGCULTURE-2.001 - R2 "Improved access to arts and culture"
Budget : 175 753€
Status : rejected
* BGCULTURE-2.001-0109 "Let’s keep traditions in our hearts“ - FM EEA 2014-2021 - Cultural Entrepreneurship, Heritage and Cooperation; BGCULTURE-2.001 - R2 "Improved access to arts and culture"
Budget : 161 538€
Status : rejected
Trainings provided by ROMACT experts :
Community Action Groups:
* Assessing the needs of the community and creating a list of priorities;
* "Institutions and services at the local and regional level - who is responsible for what";
* Achieving the Community Action Group sustainability through establishing and developing a civil society organisation;
* Organization and monitoring of the Municipal Plan for inclusion, equality and participation of the Roma;
Local authorities:
* Partnership management for the implementation of municipal policies on social inclusion;
* Capacity building for the preparation of the project "Equal opportunities for a better future of Roma from municipalities of Sungurlare and Antonovo";
* Reinforcing the local partnerships for more effective practical implementation of children's rights and the protection of children at risk;
* Data collection and preparation of the Community needs assessment;
* Including priorities and measures for Roma communities in the Integrated strategies for territorial development;
* Coaching LA to increase the skills of the LA representatives to structure the Municipal Plan for Inclusion, Equality and Participation of Roma 2021 - 2023;
* Incorporation of the identified by CAG priority needs and measures in MDP 2021 – 2027;
* Elaboration of analysis for the Municipal Plan on Roma Integration;
* Consultation on the preparation of the Municipal Action Plan on Roma Integration.
Both stakeholders:
* Development and implementation of partnerships for prevention and intervention of drugs use in Roma communities
* Increasing the sensitivity to hate speech and prejudice against the Roma in the planning and implementation of inclusive policies
* ROMACT approach for local facilitators
Media coverage :
Antonovo municipality page press release for the start of ROMACT program