comparison between hungarian and bulgarian national roma integration strategies (nriss) dr. ivo...

Comparison between Hungarian and Bulgarian National Roma Integration

Strategies (NRISs)

Dr. Ivo Kostov

Nagykallo 4th SC meeting, 07-08.11.2013

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

General overview of Roma situation in Hungary and Bulgaria

• Hungary - „the Roma population most

certainly does not exceed one million

but is with all certainty greater than

700,000" – more than 5,5%

• Bulgaria - third largest ethnic group in -

325,343 persons, 4.9%.


• Hungary - More than 60% live in the countryside, in a rural environment, mostly in segregated resi dential zones, in rather poor housing conditions.

• Bulgaria - Approximately half (55.4%) of the Roma ethnic group reside in the cities.


Hungary:

• employment rate of the Roma - 20%.

• employment rate amongst Roma women – 10%

• extremely poor state of health (Roma die 10 years younger

than non-Roma on average),

• a low educational level - barely 20% reach secondary final

examinations

• ghetto-like housing conditions without modern conveniences.

• The poverty rate in 2009 was 70%.


Bulgaria:• only 38.8% are economically active• only 50.2% of the economically active Roma

persons are employed• share of students – 7.3% of the economically inactive

population, i.e. 4.4% of all Roma citizens above the age of 15.

• Housewives share – 36.5% of the economically inactive Roma population, i.e. 22.4% of all Roma above 15 years of age.

Analytical overview of Hungarian and Bulgarian NRISs Fields of progress related to the proper integration of

Roma as mentioned in both NRISs

Hungary:

•Education

•Employment

•Health care

•Housing

Bulgaria:

•Education

•Employment

•Health care

•Housing

•Rule of law and non-discrimination

•Culture and media

The 10 Common Basic Principles on Roma Inclusion

Analytical overview of Hungarian and Bulgarian NRISs

Hungary: (not in line with the 10 principles acquired by EU)

1. Principle of overall priority of inclusion

2. Development policy based on inclusion principle

3. Principle of integration

4. Complexity and concentration

5. Innovation and sustainability

6. Gradual approach

7. Sure start, sure future

8. A comprehensive approach

9. Programmes based on personal responsibility and participation

10. Principle of community participation and support



Bulgaria:1. Constructive, pragmatic and non-discriminatory policies

2. Explicit but not exclusive targeting

3. Inter-cultural approach

4. Aiming for the mainstream

5. Awareness of the gender dimension

6. Transfer of evidence-based policies

7. Use of European Union instruments

8. Involvement of regional and local authorities

9. Involvement of civil society

10. Active participation of the Roma



A detailed provision on concrete policies and implementation in practice is not available and two of the principles are not clearly developed within the Strategy:

1) aiming for the mainstream and 2) applying an intercultural approach.

In regard to the CBP 8, a wide, public consultation process did take place.



Hungarian Strategy is not clear about de-

segregation - not listed as separate issue, nor sufficiently

explained in the main issues• Education and Housing - are not clear about

desegregation either - improvement of the situation in

segregated areas; assistance to move from these

areas. •Both Education and Housing are in conflict with

the principle of “Aiming for the mainstream”



In conflict with the requirement of evidence-based

policies (principle No. 6):• The Hungarian Strategy states that previous

public works programs proved to be ineffective; still,

increasing employment is foreseen mainly by public

works. • No explanation is given if and how deficiencies of

previous programs can be corrected in foreseen

programs.

The Bulgarian government has added other goals that are

relevant to the national context:

• media outreach,

• preserving Roma culture,

• the rule of law and antidiscrimination.

It is unclear what mechanisms for implementation will be

applied or how these goals will be monitored!

The Overall impression of the Bulgarian NRIS, does not give the

impression of being realistic and feasible.


Overview of Bulgarian and Hungarian NRIS

• Both rely on different approach and try to comply with EU

legislation

• The Hungarian is too extensive - leaving the falls impression of

feasibility and relevance;

• The Bulgarian is too short - not elaborating enough but presenting

a set of strict tasks and list of few but critical measures;

• Both strategies lack the extensive critical analysis and fail to

provide the strategic coordination at government level that should

bring satisfying results in the process of Roma integration.


Advantages and disadvantages of Hungarian NRIS

• complex two-sided social process

• there is 'situation analysis' concerning Romani

Women

• special place reserved regarding gender equality

• there is no separate part dealing with

fundamental rights

• does not address the issue of migration at all


Advantages and disadvantages of Bulgarian NRIS

• does separate the Roma integration related

• media outreach

• preserving Roma culture

• the rule of law and antidiscrimination


Overview of the budget allocations of the Hungarian and Bulgarian NRISs

• no budgets allocated for the Roma Integration

Strategy in Bulgaria

• Bulgarian operational programs and funds give

additional points in the evaluation of projects

during all calls for proposals and describe

specific indicators related to Roma employment,

education, human rights etc

Overview of the budget allocations of the Hungarian and Bulgarian NRISs

Hungarian planned measures are based on EU funds - 61 measures:

• 31 will be solely financed by EU funds• 5 will be partly financed by EU funds• finishing primary school and vocational

training - 20 billion HUF, 65 million Euro• wage subsidy - 60 billion HUF, 195 million

Euro

Overview of the Coordination Mechanisms in Implementing the NRIS

in Hungary and Bulgaria

Bulgaria

National Council for Ethnic and Demographical Issues supports cooperation:

• carries out the coordination

Goals:

To ensure equal rights and human development;

To preserve and strengthen the ethnic tolerance and

understanding;

Prevention of local ethnic conflicts;



Bulgaria

National Council for Ethnic and Demographical Issues:

• EU analysis - National Council does not have the

necessary capacity and experience to coordinate and

implement Roma integration policies.

• Additional technical assistance in terms of

implementing integration policies effectively is

needed.



HungaryThe contact point is the State Secretariat for Social Inclusion

within the Ministry for Public Administration and Justice. It’s goal is:

• to ensure that disadvantaged groups and individuals should have a proportionate share of the widening opportunities

• to introduce a complete change of mentality in the area of social inclusion:

• a quality improvement of Roma:– educational, – social, – health care and – employment conditions.



Hungary

The contact point is the State Secretariat for Social Inclusion within the Ministry for Public Administration and Justice. Works closely with:

• Inter-Ministerial Committee for Social

Inclusion and Roma Affairs,

• Roma Coordination Council.

Comparison of the state of monitoring and indicators

Hungary• uses exhaustive information based on

previous experience which gives better opportunity to plan according to the baseline indicators.

• Research served as the basis for designing the NRIS.

• A wide range of available and recognised research sources were used, which are cited in the Strategy.


Bulgaria• there are no indicators planned for

monitoring implementation mechanisms and monitoring in the Bulgarian NRIS

• there are no indications as to how the national strategy will be implemented in Bulgaria


HungaryState Secretariat for Social Inclusion within the

Ministry for Public Administration and Justice is responsible for:

• coordination of reporting on the implementation

of the action plan annually, and

• the revision of the action plan every second year.


Bulgaria• reporting system in the Bulgarian NRIS remains

problematic • Only "administrative monitoring“ is planned -

subject of annual reports by each and every institution engaged in the process of implementation.

• Need of specific methodology for evaluation• Need of concrete indicators and mechanisms for

collecting information related to outcomes of the integration policies

Thank you!

Dr. Ivo Kostov

Nagykallo 4th SC meeting, 07-08.11.2013

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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