Project: “Improvement of the coordination and dialogue between Police and Roma society”

Implemented in: Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Vidin, Montana, Pazadjik, Peshtera, reg. Pzardjik, Banya, Mun. Karlovo, Vilage of Parvenets, Mun. Rodopi, Stara Zagora, Sliven, Yambol

Home Affairs Programme, Norway Grants

Implementation period: 18.12.2019 -18.12.2022

Lead organisation: General Directorate National Police – Ministry of Interior

Partners: 
Metropolitan Directorate of MoI
Regional Directorate of MoI Burgas
Regional Directorate of MoI Varna
Regional Directorate of MoI Pazardjik
Regional Directorate of MoI Plovdiv
Regional Directorate of MoI Stara Zagora
Regional Directorate of MoI Vidin
Regional Directorate of MoI Montana
Regional Directorate of MoI Sliven
Regional Directorate of MoI Yambol

Project summary: 
The project aims to improve the situation of the Roma population and lead to improved coordination and dialogue between the police and Roma society. The project will also contribute to the prevention of radicalization, violent extremism and hate speech and the creation of informal networks at national and regional level for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and good practices on these topics. The project will support the mutual initiatives of all public institutions working in Roma communities (police, child protection services, education). In this regard, measures are envisaged to improve the coordination between the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior and the local Roma organizations, to create better conditions for multiethnic dialogue and a better understanding of Roma cultural values.

Achieved results:

  • 240 trained police officers to effectively work with Roma communities.
  • 20 renovated and equipped reception rooms in the Roma neighborhoods in Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Vidin, Montana, Sliven and Yambol. The renovated premises now provide better working conditions and are a place where the community receives cooperation and professional assistance from the police representatives.
  • A handbook designed to assist police officers, which takes into account the ethnic and religious characteristics of the Roma.
  • Inclusive events: organizing sports initiatives with the participation of children and parents and an essay contest on the topic: “No” to differences! ‘Yes’ to tolerance and integration’.

Grant amount: 630 000 EUR

Contact: Yordan Lazarov
email: yoalazov@mvr.bg
phone: +3592 982 8518
address: Sofia 1715,1  Aleksander Malinov str.

See also: Report with results of a final survey and comparative analysis – survey of public opinion among the population of Roma origin to establish trust in the police

A total of 14 children were awarded for their participation in an essay competition on the theme “No to differences, Yes to tolerance and integration”. At a ceremony held at the House of Culture in the capital’s “Druzhba” district, 11 of them received their awards from the leadership of the National Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education and Science. It was also attended by representatives of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, the Council of Europe and the Program Operator – Directorate “International Projects” at the Ministry of the Interior. The writing of the essay was one of the activities set out in the project “Improving coordination and dialogue between the police and the Roma community”, funded under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism’s “Home Affairs” programme. The competition was held last year among students from all schools of 10 districts of the country.

Collective games for children under the title “Sports for all” are organized by the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the stadium in the village of Drenovets:

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