The national monitoring report on the implementation of the National Strategy for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation (2022–2030) has been published.

A national report has been published as part of the “Roma Civil Monitoring 2021–2025” project, dedicated to the implementation of the National Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria for Equality, Inclusion, and Participation of Roma 2021–2030. The report was prepared by the Amalipe Center and the Integro Association together with Roma and pro-Roma civil society organizations.

The publication is a translation from English of the official report, available at: https://amalipe.bg/en/books/, and is part of the “Preparatory Action – Roma Civil Monitoring” initiative, implemented with the support of the European Commission through DG Justice and Consumers.

What does the report cover?
The report provides a detailed analysis of the period from the adoption of the strategy in May 2022 to the end of 2024 and assesses:

  • key changes in the strategic framework and action plans;
  • actual progress on key priorities (education, health, housing policy, employment and social protection, combating discrimination);
  • the effectiveness of monitoring and data collection mechanisms;
  • the participation of Roma civil society in the implementation and monitoring of the strategy;
  • the use of European funds to achieve the objectives of the strategy.

Key findings of the report
🔹 Limited practical progress – Despite the creation of new institutional structures, the real effect on integration policies is weak. Many of the measures in the new Action Plan (2024–2027) repeat activities that have already been implemented, without an in-depth assessment of the results.

Positive steps – Among the successes are the institutionalization of the profession of “educational mediator” and its funding from the state budget, the expansion of access to obstetric services for uninsured women, and the inclusion of significant ESF+ funds for initiatives in support of the Roma.

Persistent challenges – Segregation in education, the high proportion of uninsured persons, the lack of adequate housing policy, and the spread of hate speech remain serious problems. Local authorities often fail to take responsibility for integration measures, and Roma participation in governance and monitoring processes remains symbolic.

Insufficient monitoring – There is a formalized monitoring system, but it suffers from administrative and coordination weaknesses. The data collected is mainly quantitative and rarely reflects the real impact of measures on people’s lives.

The role of Roma NGOs and European funds
The report highlights the significant contribution of Roma and pro-Roma organizations in policy development and advocacy for the inclusion of specific measures and indicators in programs funded by the ESF+, ERDF, and other funds. However, barriers to NGO access to funding remain, including administrative restrictions and a lack of capacity to implement large-scale systemic projects.

The report shows that for the strategy to be truly effective, the following are needed:

  • stronger political will and coordination between institutions;
  • stable funding at the local level;
  • real inclusion of Roma in all stages of policy-making;
  • an integrated approach to key issues such as education, health, employment, and housing.

The full text of the report in English can be read here: https://amalipe.bg/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/RCM2-2024-C1-Bulgaria-FINAL-ISBN.pdf