Civic participation and civic values among children and young people from vulnerable school communities

Research report. Boyan Zahariev, Ilko Yordanov

The present analysis was prepared within the project „Intercultural academy for civic participation and tolerance”, which Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance implemented in partnership together with the Open Society Institute – Sofia, with the financial support from the US Embassy in Bulgaria.

The analysis is based on a questionnaire survey among students from schools with high share of pupils from vulnerable groups. Details about the methodology and the survey sample are given in Appendix 1. The profile of the participants in the survey is presented in Appendix 2, and due to the great importance of the information technologies for the civic activity of the young people, Appendix 3 quotes the data from the survey, that affects usage of electronic devices and the Internet.

This report, dedicated to the civic participation and the civic values among children and young people from vulnerable school communities, presents all important data from the questionnaire survey and from the concomitant trainings and discussions to provide additional analytical material. Apart from the present detail report, its abbreviated version was published in March 2023, and it can be found at the web site of Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance and the Open Society Institute – Sofia. Unlike the abbreviated one, the full version of the report, which you are currently reading covers much more topics, uses much more data, presents more complex analyses and contains references to important sources, bibliography and other appendices. The abbreviated version of the report was mainly oriented towards the broad public, the media, and to politicians, administrators, civil activists and representatives of NGO, which work with young people from vulnerable communities. The full version of the report is intended for researchers, as well as for representatives of the already listed groups who are professionally dealing with analytical work, want to use the survey for their own analyses or just gain deeper insight into the problems analysed and methods used.

The report can be downloaded here

Civil society monitoring report on the quality of the national strategic framework for Roma equality, inclusion, and participation in Bulgaria

The report was prepared by NGOs Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance, Gender Alternatives Foundation, IndiRoma Foundation, Integro Association, ‘World Without Borders’ Association; the chapters have been prepared and edited by the following authors:

• Participation – Nikolay Bliznakov (IndiRoma Foundation) and Emiliya Mazneva – Pacheva (Gender Alternatives Foundation);

• Relevance – Alexey Pamporov, Martina Drobenova and Gancho Iliev (World Without Borders Association), with contributions from Prof. Maya Grekova (National Network of Health Mediators Association), Mihail Mishev (Foundation for Community Development and Cooperation), Asen Kolev and Alex Levi (Hayir Foundation), Daniela Mihaylova (Equal Opportunities Foundation), Deyan Kolev (Amalipe Centree for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance), Spaska Petrova (‘New Road’ Association), Iliana Balabanova (Bulgarian Platform of the European Women’s Lobby);

• Expected effectiveness – Daniela Mihaylova and Lily Makaveeva (Integro Association);

• Alignment with the EU Roma Strategic Framework– Deyan Kolev (Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance).

The overall report development was coordinated by Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance.
The report was prepared as part of the initiative ‘Preparatory Action – Roma Civil Monitoring – Strengthening capacity and Involvement of Roma and pro-Roma Civil Society in Policy Monitoring and Review’ implemented by a consortium led by the Democracy Institute of Central European University (DI/CEU), including the European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO Network), the Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG), and the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC). The initiative was funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General Justice and Consumers (DG Just) within service contract no. JUST/2020/RPAA/PR/EQUA/0095.
The report represents the findings of the authors, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of the consortium or the European Commission who cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The report can be downloaded here: Download

The report can also be found in Romani here. 

Report – Combating discrimination through better access to justice in Croatia and Bulgaria

The purpose of this report is to summarize the results of the field visits and legal work within the framework of the European Union funded project “Equality for Roma through Enhanced Access to Justice” (ERELA). The report serves as a follow-up to our main reports produced at the beginning of the project, outlining the different areas of discrimination and barriers to access to justice faced by Roma in Bulgaria and Croatia. The report summarises lessons learned from the fieldwork, based on the personal experiences of the mediators, and includes cases of discrimination in both countries, including their resolution

The authors of the report are Atanas Atanasov, Natasa Kovacevic, Rina Muhaj, Anja Ostopan and Andrea Spitalski.

The report can be downloaded from here: Download

 

MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ROMA INTEGRATION STRATEGY

This analysis aims to contribute to the assessment of the final National Roma Integration Strategy and its implementation in terms of the necessary changes in the new document on Roma equality, inclusion, and participation. The analysis complements and does not replace the existing reports evaluating the National Strategy, i.e., the Civil Monitoring Reports on the Implementation of the National Roma Integration Strategy in Bulgaria prepared by a broad coalition of leading Roma NGOs, and the Evaluation of Roma Integration Policies 2012–2019 developed by the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The authors of the analysis are Deyan Kolev, Alexey Pamporov and Teodora Krumova.

The analysis was commissioned by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

The analysis can be downloaded here: Download

 

CONCEPT OF THE NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR EQUALITY, INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION OF THE ROMA

Bulgaria is one of the countries with the largest Roma population. Efforts to formulate a comprehensive national policy for Roma integration and to establish a normative, institutional and financial framework for the implementation of this policy began in the mid-1990s. These efforts continue to this day with varying intensity.

This report contains a proposal for a possible National Strategy for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Roma, which Bulgaria should develop by September 2021. It is a continuation of the analysis “Monitoring the implementation of the National Strategy for Roma Integration” published by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation . The report focuses on areas that the previous National Strategy had not advocated or implemented unsatisfactorily – the equality of Roma women, the diversity of the Roma community, monitoring implementation. Proposals for some of the already existing priority areas are also presented.

The authors of the report are Deyan Kolev, Alexey Pamporov, Spaska Petrova, Gancho Iliev and Teodora Krumova.

The report was commissioned by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

The report can be downloaded here: Download

 

“When dreams come true…” – Personal stories of Roma medical students.

What is a dream? A vision for the future, that captures your entire heart and at the deepest level, your spirit and soul. Open your mind up to the awesome power ofyour creative imagination.

This book tells the personal stories of students of Roma origin who study in different medical universities in Bulgaria. They share the difficulties that they had in the process of education but also the successes they have achieved. Some of these are feel-good stories, but others are rather sad… Nevertheless, all those show the great determination to education and success of group of young people who chose their future to be devoted to healthcare. What were their motives and good role models you will find out in the narratives of the students themselves as well as their desire to be the role models for the ones to follow them.

The book also gives information about the Roma health scholarship program for university students and the advocacy training organized annually by Center Amalipe. During the week-long program the young people worked on developing crucial skills for their future work of people who will bring tremendous change in their community. This is why we called them The White Swallows! You can read their stories here.

The full text of the publication is available here.

Civil society monitoring report on implementation of the national Roma integration strategy in Bulgaria. Identifying blind spots in Roma inclusion policy

The report has been prepared by NGOs Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance, World Without Borders Association and Gender Alternatives Foundation by the authors as follows:

• chapter “Social prejudices and hate speech towards Roma”: Alexey Pamporov and Gancho Iliev (World Without Borders Association);

• chapter “From hate speech to hate crimes: example of Gabrovo”: Deyan Kolev and Ivan Todorov (Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance);

• chapter “Gender equality and violence against women”: Rada Elenkova (Gender Alternatives Foundation);

• chapter “Secondary segregation in education”: Deyan Kolev and Teodora Krumova (Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance). The overall report development was coordinated by the NGO Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance. The report was prepared as part of the Roma Civil Monitor pilot project.

The full text of the publication is available here:

Download

Civil society monitoring report on implementation of the national Roma integration strategy in Bulgaria. Assessing the progress in four key policy areas of the strategy

This report has been prepared by NGOs Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance, World Without Borders Association, IndiRoma Foundation, Gender Alternatives Foundation and Roma Academy for Culture and Education, Knowledge Association; the chapters have been edited by following authors:

•      Employment – Rada Elenkova (Gender Alternatives Foundation),

•      Housing – Nikolay Bliznakov (IndiRoma Foundation),

•      Impact of Healthcare Policies on Roma – Alexey Pamporov and Gancho Iliev (World Without Borders Association),

•      Education– Deyan Kolev (Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance),

•      Case study in Lukovit – Ralitsa Popova (Knowledge Association),

•      Case study in Sliven – Stela Kostova (Roma Academy for Culture and Education).

The overall report development was coordinated by Amalipe Centre for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance.

The report has been prepared as part of the Roma Civil Monitor pilot project, ‘Capacity-building for Roma civil society and strengthening its involvement in the monitoring of National Roma Integration Strategies’. The pilot project is carried out for the European Commission, DG Justice and Consumers. It is coordinated by the Center for Policy Studies of the Central European University (CEU CPS), in partnership with the European Roma Grassroots Organisations Network (ERGO Network), the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), the Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG) and the Roma Education Fund (REF) and implemented with around 90 NGOs and experts from up to 27 member states.

 

The full text of the publication is available here:

 

БЕЗ СЕГРЕГАЦИЯ: Дейности за предотвратяване на училищната сегрегация спрямо ромите на место ниво

NOSEGREGATION: Local Action Against School Segregation of Roma

D2.1. School Segregation Maps in Bulgaria Authors: Boyan Zahariev, Deyan Kolev
Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance
July 2020

Контекст: Център Амалипе в партньорство с Fundacion Secretariado Gitano (Испания) и Европейския Ромски Информационен офис (Белгия) реализират проект „Без сегрегация“ (No segregation), финансиран от Европейската комисия. МОН е асоцииран партньор по проекта.
Цел на проучването: Изследователският екип проведе проучване на актуалното състояние с училищната сегрегация, обхващащо всички области в България. Проучването извежда наличието на училища с концентрация на уязвими групи и на сегрегирани училища (вкл. Професионални гимназии) във всяка една област и община, където такива съществуват. Също така са предложени типове дейности за превенция на вторичната сегрегация, както и за създаването на мултикултурна среда в случаите с училища, единствени в населено място и обучаващи ученици само от един етнос. Предложени са и типове дейности в първично сегрегираните училища в ромските квартали.

Приложение: Списък на училищата с концентрация на уязвими групи по области

Целият текст на проучването можете да изтеглите от тук.

 

European funds for Roma health integration

The present book is continuation of the debates that started during the Hearing “European funds for Roma integration” held in Brussels on March 16, 2015. It concentrates on 3 of the EU countries with bigger Roma population, namely Bulgaria, Romania and Spain.

The authors believe that the book forms a good basis for discussing the overall framework for putting healthcare higher in the agenda of Roma integration policy.

The full text of the publication is available here:

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Intercultural education and educational integration

 Education is an area in which Center “Amalipe” is working since its foundation. The main cause of Center “Amalipe” is to transform the school into a place where every child can find himself, a place where every child can start to believe that he might be winner, a place to get a chance to dream and to be a man!

Every child can be a winner! If you make a child to believe that he can succeed and sincerely strive for it, you have managed to find the key to success in its development – from there on no one and nothing can stop him to achieve it. This is the basic approach that “Amalipe” applies within the three-year program for Reduction of Roma children drop out of school, organized with the support of the Foundation “America for Bulgaria”. A major element of this approach is the introduction of intercultural education (with a focus on the introduction of classes on “Ethnic Folklore – Roma folklore”) as a means of preservation and renovation of the cultural identity of the Roma community, as well as mutual understanding and formation of tolerance between children of different ethnicities.

This publication presents the results of experience of Center “Amalipe” and the schools, involved in the program during the last three years – both in numbers and as specifically solved cases.

The full text of the publication is available here:

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Manual on Roma History and Culture

The aim of this manual is to serve practitioners and stakeholders in the field of education and intercultural learning. It is designed also for all the people interested in the biggest European minority: the Roma minority – its history, culture and worldview. It would not give you answers to all questions about Roma but it will give you a basis for further research; it will give you a starting point for reconsidering stereotypes and myths about Roma; and last but not least, it will give an orientation tour in the Roma world view.
The manual has been produced within the project “Contribution to the Role of Education – Educating Educators” (CORE) financed within the Lifelong Learning Program of DG Education and Culture of the European Commission.

The full text of the publication is available here:

 

 

 

Preventing Early Marryages

Early marriages in the Roma community (the point is actually about cohabitation, family creation and not about “marriage”, because the legal act of marriage is not present or in most cases even not possible) is a topic, which is currently attracting the attention of the so called “general public” and “public opinion”. On the one hand, early marriages are often combined with “arranged marriages” and even “forced marriages”: usually it is the parents who initiate this form of cohabitation. Very frequently, this leads to “dropping out”, i.e. to early school leaving, which is related to limiting the further appropriate social realization of the person. Early marriages are usually followed by “early births”, because – at least with the traditional Roma families, as well as the marginalized ones) the married woman is expected to prove that she can give birth: she is highly appreciated as the continuer of the family and if she cannot fulfil this role, she has to bear one of the heaviest stigmas. Frequently, different forms of domestic violence, divorces, and diseases among these young mothers accompany early marriages, etc. Therefore, we could see a whole series of negative phenomena, to which any European society is (or at least should be) painfully sensitive. On the other hand, early Roma marriages seem out of the ordinary, exotic and inexplicable: a remainder of the “non-European marriage model” (typical for the people to the east of the Trieste – St. Petersburg line of John Hajnal). This “exotics” is often related to the stigmatization of the whole Roma community as a backward and unable for development generator of children. It is accompanied by the even more definite ignoring of the truth that, not so long ago, early marriages were typical for the majority of the nations to the east of Trieste – St. Petersburg line (and a little earlier – for all European nations), and by neglecting the

The full text of the publication is available here: