Roma Policy Lab

On Focus

The power of Civil Society Organizations is their mission

The strength and meaning of Civil Society Organizations’ /CSOs/ existence derives from people’s trust in their mission and it is important, especially in times of social and political crisis, that Non-Governmental Organizations /NGOs/ look critically at themselves and continue to uphold their core values and long-term goals.

NEW REPORT: The definition of energy poverty in Bulgaria – content and applications with an emphasis on highly vulnerable and marginalized groups

Bulgaria is in the final stages of adopting an official definition of energy poverty, but there is a risk that its use for the purpose of energy renovation of buildings will be done in a way that will not prioritize the energy poor and may even lead to an increase in energy inequality.

Report: Combatting discrimination through enhanced access to justice in Croatia and Bulgaria

In Bulgaria and Croatia, Roma routinely experience discrimination, usually fuelled by negative attitudes and prejudices, in a variety of areas of their lives from an early age. Despite the high number of well documented occurrences, incidents of discrimination typically go unreported. Roma often think that it is not worth reporting their case as it would not change anything, while others fear that the situation would only become worse. See more.

Final version of the thematic report “Key Indicators for Social Inclusion and Fundamental Rights in Bulgaria”

The formulation of adequate policies at all levels of governance requires precise examination of the social and economic context in which the risks of poverty, social inclusion and violation of fundamental rights can materialize. The Bulgarian National Statistical Institute presents the final version of the thematic report “Key Indicators for Social Inclusion and Fundamental Rights in Bulgaria“.

FILM: Roma building Socialism?

Today’s Bulgarian Roma are still marginalised and lag far behind other Bulgarians in education and opportunity. But under Communism they were depicted as standing shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the country, enthusiastically working towards the perfect Socialist state. What was really happening? See this film.

Effects of the introduction of a definition of energy poverty and related social protection mechanisms on representatives of vulnerable groups with an emphasis on the Roma

What needs to be done to reduce energy poverty? What should a good (well-functioning) definition of energy poverty include in order to have a maximally beneficial societal effect? Does what we know about the definition to be adopted meet the criteria for a well-functioning definition of energy poverty? Are there groups of vulnerable energy users who may remain outside the scope of the definition of energy poverty and, accordingly, of energy poverty countermeasures?