The Manifesto on Refugee Integration in Bulgaria is a national programme document and an advocacy tool covering the key areas of refugee integration in Bulgaria. It is based on the understanding that integration is an investment, allowing newcomers to be involved in the country’s economic, social and cultural life as soon as possible, thereby becoming more quickly self-sufficient and able to contribute positively their host society. In Bulgaria the government and local authorities play a leading role in the integration of beneficiaries of international protection, while the non-governmental sector has supporting and auxiliary functions.

The manifesto proposes restoring the National Programme for Refugees’ Integration (which previously ran from 2005 – 2013 and was coordinated by the State Agency for Refugees with funding from the state budget), and bringing it up to date with the Ordinance on the terms and procedures to conclude, implement and terminate integration agreements with beneficiaries of asylum or international protection. This ordinance provides for the active participation of municipalities and focuses on integration at the local level.

In correspondence with the above, the following is proposed:

1) Setting up a new institutional structure, which includes:

• the designation of a Deputy Prime Minister who is responsible for the overall planning and implementation of integration policy for refugees in Bulgaria (and will ensure sustainable funding from the state budget, EU funds or other sources);
• broadening the scope of responsibilities of the State Agency for Refugees by establishing an 'Adaptation and Integration Directorate' comprising three departments that focus on 1) adaptation and initial integration, 2) the national integration programme, and 3) information and analysis;
• the active involvement of municipalities/districts which are willing to host refugees and support their integration and which will receive the relevant targeted funding and support.

2) Developing a comprehensive integration process at two stages:

• Adaptation and initial integration – the target group are persons who seek asylum or received international protection within the last one year. It comprises a training and a practical module: Bulgarian language training; civic orientation training; providing refugees with an overall idea about their future and development opportunities in Bulgaria; involvement of minor and underage persons in education; access to the labour market for adults; building relations with the host community via contacts with institutions, volunteers, companies, etc.;
• National Integration Programme – the target group are individuals who have been granted international protection and have been through the first stage. A one-year integration agreement is concluded between a refugee and a municipality/district; the agreement provides for the provision of flexible support such as housing, civil registration and issuing of IDs, Bulgarian language training, education, healthcare, employment, social assistance and social services, monthly integration allowance, information provision and empowerment.

This initiative was conducted by the Multi Kulti Collective, the Bulgarian Council on Refugees and Migrants and UNHCR Bulgaria, in cooperation with a number of stakeholders including experts from institutions, international organisations, the non-governmental sector, academia, businesses, representatives of refugee communities in Bulgaria, and others. The document was development through a series of national roundtables, expert meetings and online consultations, and was drafted as part of the National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM) project co-financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union.