On 1 May UNHCR published its latest report, Age, Gender and Diversity Participatory Assessment Report 2023: Voices of Refugees in Bulgaria. The report is based on 21 focus group discussions (FGDs) involving 177 refugees and asylum seekers – mainly from Ukraine (108) and Syria (55), followed by Morocco (9), Afghanistan (4) and Algeria (1). The FGDs took place in January 2023 in Sofia, Bansko, Burgas, Harmanli, Nova Zagora, Pastragor, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, and Varna.

The main topics discussed were:

awareness of Bulgaria’s international protection procedures;
awareness of temporary protection procedures;
registration of newborn children and family reunification;
community support, safety, Complaint and Feedback Mechanisms;
socioeconomic inclusion (employment, financial services/banking, accommodation);
social assistance;
child protection with a focus on education;
heath and mental health and psychosocial support.

Among the main and most common challenges cited by participants were language barriers within procedures and in accessing their rights in Bulgaria. Language barriers can make accessing and obtaining information, as well as accessing services, extremely difficult in general. Participants frequently suggested that information should be more available in their languages, that updates on their status be more regular, and that language lessons be more accessible.

When asked whether they planned to stay in Bulgaria, there were important differences between those from Ukraine and refugees and asylum seekers from Syria and other countries. Among those from countries other than Ukraine, just over 11% said they planned to stay despite negative experiences, more than half (52%) answered no, and more than one-third (36%) were not sure of their future plans. By contrast, more than half (53%) of the Ukrainians under temporary protection said they planned to stay in Bulgaria despite limited assistance and socio-economic inclusion, with just 15% saying no and one-third (32%) being unsure.

Other thematic recommendations that came out of the FDGs included the need to improve the accessibility and efficiency of the international protection procedures. Asylum-seekers wished to receive more information and updates about their applications and their legal rights and obligations.

Concerning temporary protection (TP) procedures, Ukrainian participants suggested having a scheduling procedure and fixed appointments in order to avoid overcrowding and long waiting times. Refugees also indicated a desire for the possibility to renew their TP identification cards at more locations across Bulgaria, to save time and money on the cost of long hours of travel. An important concern was the lack of clarity on the length of TP. Lastly, participants pointed to the importance of TP identification being accepted when they apply to obtain a driver’s license or open a bank account.

On community support and safety, participants shared that they were interested in activities available to all refugees, including cultural pursuits (such as dancing and music), parental support groups, language courses, cinema, mental health and psychosocial support, women’s groups and vocational training.

Regarding employment, refugees said they need more information in general on employment and training opportunities, and refugees from Ukraine shared that they would like to learn about opportunities for entrepreneurship, and about accessing healthcare and social benefits. Moreover, all groups asked Bulgaria to recognise the education and work experience that they obtained in their home countries or elsewhere. Both groups requested more free language courses and specialised technical and vocational training.

When it comes to child protection, both those from Ukraine and those from other countries highlighted the need for mental health and psychosocial support for children traumatised by war as well as specialised services for children with disabilities and specific needs. They added that tutors or teaching assistants should be available to work with refugee children.

Comparing this 2023 Participatory Assessment to the results of the AGD Report 2022, it is clear that there have been positive developments for both groups of participants. However, challenges reported in 2022 were also identified in the 2023 Participatory Assessment:

Some pushback was reported, though fewer than in 2022.
Reported cases of violence or confiscation of belongings at borders, although fewer than last year.
Complaints about lack of sufficient interpretation services.
Widespread calls for enhanced access to Bulgarian-language classes for both adults and children.
Concerns with long waiting times for appointments, for issuing decisions in the international protection procedures, and for updates on their applications.
Lack of information in general concerning access to available assistance and services.
Long distance to registration sites to renew TP cards.
Reception conditions at RRCs, including the level of cleanliness and bedbugs, lack of heating and hot water, as well as poor-quality food.
Concerns for security at the centres, including daily violence among men living under stress and in close quarters.
Continued concerns about a lack of separation between men and women at the centres, from the perspectives of safety and limited space given to women and girls in the centres. Currently, most space is being occupied and used by the male residents.
Difficulty in accessing specialised healthcare, including for mothers.
Difficulty in finding and affording their private accommodation.
Negative experiences with officials and local communities as well as bullying in schools.
A lack of ramps at schools to enable access for adults and children with disabilities.