The bilateral agreements with the local governments of Burgas, Ruse and Sliven under the Programme for Social Inclusion of Roma and Other Vulnerable Groups were signed by Deputy Prime-Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ivaylo Kalfin, the Ambassador of Switzerland in Bulgaria Denis Knobel and the Mayors of the municipalities concerned.

“The Swiss government supports the social inclusion of Roma in Bulgaria,” said Ambassador Denis Knobel. The Programme assists the efforts of the Bulgarian government in their implementation of the National Strategy for Roma Integration (2012 – 2020).

“The objectives of the Programme are: better living conditions, better healthcare and education, and viable cultural and social integration of the Roma community,” said Deputy Prime-Minister Kalfin.

The Swiss partner funds 85% of the Programme’s overall budget which amounts at 8 088 500 CHF while the Bulgarian party provides 15%.  The focus is on children and women because they are the most vulnerable members of the minorities.

The local governments will invest the allotted funds in new kindergartens, nurseries, medical consulting rooms and, generally, in the provision of better and wider access to social services for the Roma. “Burgas Municipality will build a kindergarten and nursery and will focus on the training and field work of the health mediators,” said Yordanka Ananieva, Deputy-Mayor of Burgas Municipality. “Sliven Municipality will use the funds for the building of a multi-purpose culture facility intended to provide various social activities for 150 children. In this way we’ll continue with our efforts for the integration of Roma living in our city,” said Mayor Kolyo Milev. The Mayor of Ruse Plamen Stoilov stated that the work with marginalized and socially excluded communities is a priority for the local government’s administration. A representative of the non-governmental sector, Dr. Stefan Panayotov from “Roma Health” Foundation shared his practical experience and said that the most important investment is the one made in early child development and education.