ACTION
PLAN
FOR
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR EQUAL INTEGRATION OF ROMA PEOPLE
IN THE BULGARIAN SOCIETY
2003
– 2004
The democratic pluralism, human rights
and fundamental freedoms protection have strongly confirmed for the last twelve
years in the Bulgarian society.
This Action
Plan for Implementation of the Framework Programme for Equal Integration of
Roma People in the Bulgarian Society is a result of the activity on
implementing of one of the key priorities of the Bulgarian government programme
“People are the wealth of Bulgaria” – prevention of discrimination, integration
of people in disadvantaged position in the society and cut off poverty and
social isolation to be achieved by all appropriate means.
DOCUMENTS
Framework Programme for Equal
Integration of Roma People in the Bulgarian Society, adopted by the Bulgarian government in 1999, is
the basis of this document and its strategic objective is to abolish the
unequal treatment of Roma people in the Bulgarian society. As far as the
Framework Programme has a general and principal nature, the Bulgarian
government ascertained necessity its objectives to be more concretely defined
by drafting an Action Plan with responsibilities distributed to
different activities and relevant financial planning.
Key priority of
the Government programme “People are the wealth of
In
implementing its programme the government of the
The Regular Reports of the European
Commission, which assess
the progress made by Bulgaria on its way to membership of the European Union
for the last three years give good assessment of the Framework Programme for
Integration of the Roma People. However, the Regular reports of the European
Commission, as well as, the Road Map for Bulgaria, adopted by the European Council in
SCOPE
Namely to
abolishing of the disadvantaged position of the Roma population have been
directed the concrete measures in the Action Plan which outlines in a short
term plan the actions of the state institutions. They are conducted by various
ministries and institutions, and are combined by the common objective for
resolution of the social-economic and culture-educational problems of the Roma
community. The objective of this Action Plan is to enforce the policy of
integration of the Roma people into the Bulgarian society in the major sector
polices of management, in view to achieving of fast progress and sustainability
of development. At national and local level measures will be undertaken towards
providing equal access to education, health, employment programmes, improvement
of housing conditions, etc.
The Action
plan further develops in details The Framework Programme for Integration of the
Roma People in the Bulgarian Society. Founded on the experience of the current
implementation of the Framework Programme, the Action Plan puts forward more
concrete priorities with clearer dimensions of areas of impact. The measures,
which have been, outlined at the first place in the area of education, health care, child and youth protection and unemployment
reduction.
TIME LIMITS
The Action
Plan covers the short-term priorities for the period by the end of 2003 and to the end of 2003. After taking account of the results of the Plan the Government will
evaluate the progress and will plan its further actions related to the
implementation of the Framework Programme.
ADMINISTRATIVE
FRAME AMD PARTNERSHIP
This Action
Plan has been developed with the assistance of all key ministries and
institutions. The document is founded on the evaluation of the implemented
Framework Programme for Equal Integration of the Roma People in the Bulgarian
Society made by the Parliament Roma association of Roma organisations.
For the implementation of the measures in this Action Plan these ministries and institutions, which perform the relevant sector, state policies, inseparable part of which is the integration of minorities in the Bulgarian society. Separately established specialised structures are: The National Council of Ethnic and Demographic Issues with Chair person the Minister without portfolio, the Consultative Council on Education of Children and Students from the Ethnic Minorities under the Ministry of Education and Science, Roma Public Council on the Cultural Issues under the Ministry of Culture, District councils on the ethnic and demographic issues, the regional and municipal experts on the ethnic and demographic issues.
The National Council of Ethnic and
Demographic Issues will do
the general coordination and monitoring of the Action Plan implementation.
Particularly
significant for the successful implementation of this Action Plan is the active
partnership of the non-governmental organisations and the local authorities.
That is why, this Plan and its implementation will be discussed constantly with
them as well as their assistance will be approached actively on the
implementation of the measures. Practically this document is open for ideas,
practical proposals and assistance by all the partners in the government.
FUNDING
A part of the
funds needed for implementation of the envisaged measures has already been
provided in the approved expense ceilings of the budget forecast for the period
2004 – 2006. For the additional needed funds supplementary funds will be allocated
from the republican budget to 2003 budget. For other needed expenses financial
sources will be sought and used from the partners of the government.
Annex: Chart of the Action Plan for implementation of
the Framework Programme for Equal Integration of Roma People in the Bulgarian
Society.