On 19 September 2023, at the National Press Club – BTA, the European Institute’s “BRACE & PROTECT” project [Capacity-building and policy recommendations for vulnerable third-country nationals, seeking international protection or granted temporary protection] was presented. The project is funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism’s Home Affairs program 2014-2021.
At the press conference, the main conclusions of the expert sociological study of the profile of third-country nationals seeking international protection and receiving temporary protection in Bulgaria, conducted within the framework of the project, were presented. The study is based on available statistical information, as well as on 25 in-depth interviews with representatives of the institutions and with Ukrainian refugees. Some key challenges identified in working with refugees granted temporary protection were outlined:
- It is necessary to strengthen the synergy between the responsible institutions regarding accommodation and provision of additional integration services, so that the most effective decisions are made.
- Systems need to be strengthened in terms of data collection and aligned to common and rapid standards, with more digitization and easy exchange of up-to-date numbers.
- On the agenda in the management of the process should be the preparation of integration measures for the persons granted with temporary protection.
Mrs. Lyubov Panayotova, director of the European Institute, and experts-analysts on the project – Mr. Ivo Zhelev, sociologist, ESTAT agency, and Mr. Ivan Sharenkov, legal consultant on migration issues, member of the project’s training team, participated in the event .
Through the activities of the project, recommendations for the further development of policy and legislation in the field of asylum and migration and the provision of temporary protection; and a local mechanism for support and social orientation will be developed. Also, capacity building training seminars will be conducted.