Twinning activities for Roman integration
Twinnings are developed with local and regional authorities in order to lead concrete measures in Roma integration locally and encouraging the development of a EU wider network.
Roma in Tundzha
Tundzha municipality in the Yambol Province in south east Bulgaria covers 44 rural settlements and a population of 24,155 inhabitants, 25% of them are Roma. More than 50% of the Roma are under the age of 20.
Main challenges
In the municipality, with its 44 villages, the most significant challenge is access to public services for Roma. This is partly a result of the rural, remote location of Roma settlements, as well as poor living conditions, health issues, low education and high unemployment.
One of the specific problems for Tundzha municipality is access to secondary schools for Roma students. There is no secondary school in the municipality and students have to go to school in the closest city in the region.
Many Roma families cannot afford to pay for school transport for their children, which creates another obstacle to continuing their education beyond primary school level.
In the Municipality of Tundzha, there is a strong political will to deliver change through Roma integration strategies. The for Roma, with Romatwinning partnership will help Tundzha to continue the development of public services in education, healthcare and employment.