The Roma minority in Bulgaria suffers from poverty, unemployment, low education levels, discrimination, and isolation from the rest of Bulgarian society. Unemployment among Roma groups is as high as 90 percent, living conditions in their neighborhoods are poor, and plans for infrastructure construction such as roads, water and sewer systems are not given priority. Because of stereotypes that Roma are lazy and unreliable, many businesses will not employ them, while local governments rarely have programs that target the integration of minorities. At best, these ethnic tensions destabilize communities and prevent Roma from improving their standard of living; at worst, they escalate into outbreaks of violence.

Partners-Bulgaria is addressing these issues through a comprehensive program that builds sustainable structures to promote inter-ethnic and inter-sector cooperation in the cities of Lom, Vidin and Kjustendil. The Center first analyzed the discrimination, intolerance and violence within the communities, and then fleshed out concrete issues to be addressed. The Center was especially faced by the challenge of incorporating uninterested and skeptical stakeholders into the program, including local government officials and the media.

In response to its analysis, Partners-Bulgaria implemented a holistic intervention in Lom, Vidin and Kjustendil. First, the program established Conciliation Commissions in each city to introduce local conflict resolution institutions to immediately curb direct violence. These Commissions, consisting of diverse representatives of all ethnic groups, work to cultivate the support of the community and local governments, and prevent and resolve public disputes. Second, Partners-Bulgaria facilitated cooperative planning processes, which use participatory rather than confrontational approaches, to focus on economic development, education and social support for minorities. Third, a two-year Leadership Institute for 75 minority leaders in Lom, Vidin and Kjustendil was established to help participants build their leadership, management, and networking skills in order to effectively organize and cooperate with each other and the majority community in finding peaceful solutions.

The impact of Partners-Bulgaria’s initiative on Roma integration has been concrete and far-reaching, and has already received national recognition as a model for peaceful inter-group coexistence. The Center’s employment projects have led to 78 permanent and 109 temporary new jobs for minorities in Lom, 64 new jobs in Vidin, and 48 in Kjustendil, in businesses such as a cherry orchard, a nursery, a sausage shop, a baker, a clothing factory, and a cattle farm. In addition, Partners-Bulgaria is providing business development training, consultation and information to increase opportunities for Roma businesses and integrate them fully into the local economy. As a result of the Center’s efforts, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kjustendil is exploring concrete measures to improve the working relationships between Roma and Bulgarian firms, and a Businessmen’s Club will be established in the Roma quarter.

Education projects have resulted in improved tolerance, inter-ethnic relations and increased school attendance. The dropout rate in Lom has significantly lowered, especially among children participating in extracurricular activities established by the program, including football teams, English and Bulgarian language classes, a dance club, a media studio, and a school radio station. In Vidin, Partners-Bulgaria initiated the Accessible University Education for Roma, which works to increase the interest of Roma and disadvantaged Bulgarian students in higher education, and provide tutoring for enrollment examinations. In Kjustendil, Partners-Bulgaria’s programs to decrease ethnic tensions in schools have included a children’s garden that brings Roma and Bulgarian children together to build tolerance and communication skills, and collaborating with local media to produce television programs on minority cultures.

In addition, social projects in the three cities have improved services for minorities and strengthened inter-ethnic cooperation. In Lom, a Center for Health Education for disadvantaged women was established, and in its initial six months, over 2,000 women have received consultation services. Social projects in Vidin have included a health education program for women and young people that brings gynecologists, pediatricians, dermatologists and psychologists together to work with the Roma population on health issues and improve the health of the community. In Kjustendil, a Roma Women Consultative Center was founded to increase women’s role in strengthening civil society, and will address women’s health issues, the prevention of all forms of violence, educational and professional opportunities for Roma women, the defense of women’s rights and equality, and strengthening family relations.

By facilitating the creation of jobs, educational opportunities, and social services for Roma, Partners-Bulgaria is working to break down stereotypes and build collaboration and tolerance between groups. The program has proven so successful that the Center is currently extending it to two additional cities, Pasardjik and Sliven.