JOBS for Roma

JOBS for Roma is a pilot JOBS Project initiative funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) with a budget of USD 797,459. The pilot project was launched in September 2004 and implements an effective job creation and business support model in disadvantaged minority communities.

Two JOBS Business Centers were set up in the Roma neighborhoods Pobeda in Burgas and Iztok in Pazardjik. The centers operate from new renovated offices provided for free by the two municipalities.

 

 

The Business Centers aim to enhance the employability of Roma people and to support Roma entrepreneurs. They provide the standard package of JOBS Project services including vocational and motivational training, business advisory services, job placement assistance and IT services. Local entrepreneurs can take advantage of two microfinance mechanisms:

• financial leasing fund for purchase of equipment, financed by SIDA;
• start-up grant fund financed by UNDP. Grants cover fees for business permits, insurance, cost of initial supplies, training for the business owner and staff, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Roma Inclusion through Business Support

A new initiative was launched in December 2006 with co-financing from the UK government, Switzerland and UNDP. Two employment and business support offices will be set up at the JOBS Business Centers in Elhovo and Peshtera. The offices will be based in the Roma neighborhoods in these two cities and will provide the full range of JOBS Project services to the local communities. Renovations are currently underway of office space granted by the municipalities. The experience gained under the JOBS for Roma initiative in Burgas and Pazardjik will be used in the work of the new offices as well as for dissemination of good practices.

Sustainable Employment Generation through Business Support

Activities were implemented in 2005 and 2006 by the JOBS Business Centers in Velingrad, Vidin, Nova Zagora, Dulovo. Targovishte and Shumen. The centers provided a comprehensive package of business services targeted at minority communities. This initiative was part of the Project "Urbanization and Social Development of Areas with Predominant Minority Population" under the EU Phare Program. The project partners were the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues (NCEDI) and UNDP. People from the target communities in Pazardjik, Lom, Stara Zagora, Dulovo, Omurtag and Venets benefited from professional consultancy and information about starting up and financing a new business. Potential entrepreneurs were trained to generate good business ideas and then attended a course in Start-Your-Business. The centers assisted trainees to write up business plans and to apply for funding from various financial institutions. Financial leases were provided to 25 beginner entrepreneurs who bought equipment to start their business. Many agricultural producers were supported to get subsidies from State Fund Agriculture and grants from government support programs for crop farmers.

The JOBS network of 42 Business Centers and Business Incubators across Bulgaria supports all local clients, including members of various ethnic minorities.

Indicators	Since the start of the project until end-2006
	Minority clients supported
	All BCs/BIs	JOBS for Roma initiative	Urbanization Project	Total	incl. Roma clients
Jobs created / sustained:	1593	344	199	2136	925
- permanent jobs created	673	224	95	992	457
- self-employed	163	43	27	233	96
- safeguarded jobs	318	9	-	327	86
- temporary jobs	439	68	77	584	286
Financial leases disbursed	93	18	25	136	38
Information and advisory services provided	19075	7996	5009	32080	16589
People trained	3737	529	352	4618	1630
Business plans developed for banks and other funding sources	50	8	116	174	74
Internet services provided	16892	6307	-	23199	8886
Specialized IT services provided	1516	1528	-	3044	1012
Herb farmers supported	189	-	-	189	121
Start-up grants provided under Project 100	3	-	-	3	3