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Roma integration should be seen not only as a moral issue, it has its objective pragmatic dimensions, integration is an unavoidable necessity! A matter of necessity is also to prepare and implement effective integration policy!

With these words, Minister in the management of EU funds Tomislav Donchev opened the national conference "Strategies for Local Development of Local Initiative Groups (LIG) and integration of vulnerable groups”. It was held on July 26 in Sofia and was organized by Center Amalipe as closing event of the project "Establishing model for civil society participation and Roma participation in European funds absorption at local level”, financed by MATRA KAP Programme of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The conference was attended also by the Dutch Ambassador Hon. Karel van Kesteren, Peter Atanasov (Head of Integration of Ethnic Minorities in MLSP), representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Local Initiative Groups and Roma NGOs.

Minister Donchev stressed that the issue of Roma integration stands on a par with the most important issues on the motor of economic and social development of Bulgaria over the next 10 years. Integration is an urgent commitment of state institutionsл Nevertheless, it needs a broad public supports and awareness that it benefits all citizens. No doubt structural funds (in particular - Program for Rural Areas Development) should be used to support Roma integration and this should happen even in the current programming period. It is also crucial to program in this direction for the next programming period, stressed Minister Donchev.

His Excellency Karel van Kesteren expressed his compliments to the Minister on the management of EU Funds for the energy in accelerating the process of funds absorption. This process must be efficient, transparent and inclusive. The positive effects must reach all Bulgarian citizens, including minorities as a particularly vulnerable group: this is the meaning of social cohesion, said Ambassador van Kesteren. Improving the situation of Roma has become an item of the agenda of the European Union. Governments need to provide the enabling environment and tools  for the Roma to enter the mainstream society. Of particular importance is the participation of Roma themselves in this process. This was precisely the objective of the project of the Center Amalipe that MATRA KAP Programme supported: to ensure the participation of local Roma communities in developing local strategic documents to ensure partnership between all stakeholders, said Hon. Van Kesteren. He explained that since 1996 the MATRA program has supported hundreds of projects in Bulgaria, 2010 is its last year here, but brought by the Dutch government arm for Partnership remains and will remain open: the partnership is one of the cornerstones of the EU.

The main topic discussed at the conference was how Roma could be included in local development strategies by which Local Initiative Groups will apply for funding under the Programme for Rural Areas Development. Deyan Kolev presented the experience of the Center Amalipe in Lyaskovets, Strazhitsa, Popovo and Byala municipalities. He noted both successes and serious problems and challenges facing the inclusion of the Roma issue in local strategic documents. "The process of forming Local Initiative Groups and preparation of Local development strategies can provide a good basis for Roma participation and civic participation in the absorption of EU funds at local level, but it does not guarantee this participation, explained Kolev. Specific targeted measures to mobilize the local Roma communities and civic organizations are necessary, otherwise they remain isolated and not involved.

Julia Grigorova (observer at the Monitoring Committee of RADP) introduced the participants with successful practices from other European countries for inclusion of Roma in the LIG. She stressed the practical ways this can happen and explained that without the inclusion of the Roma topic the Strategies have no real chance to obtain funding program for Rural Areas Development Program.

Marieta Todorova (expert from Ministry of Agriculture and Food) presented the call for proposals for Strategies for Local Development with deadline on August 30. She explained many peculiarities and answered concrete questions regarding the application procedure. Mrs. Todorova stressed that the successful Strategy must include all population groups, and Roma are one of the largest group in almost all rural municipalities.

At the end of the meeting participants were introduced with the opportunity to receive free technical assistance for preparingStrategies for Local Development that include the issue of Roma integration. This opportunity is provided within PLATFORM project of Open Society Institute and Center Amalipe in which regional partners are 6 local Roma organizations.