Roma Youth Policy Recommendations from Bulgaria

22 May 2026

This policy paper has been developed within the framework of the RomaREACH project insights from workshops, held in Bulgaria in April 2025 and November 2025, and from 2024 Survey of Roma youth in Bulgaria, as well as interviews during focus groups, held in October 2024. 

Policies need to be co-designed with Roma communities. There is a need to avoid short-term, project-based approaches and ensure sustainable investment. There is also a must to integrate Roma-specific measures into general social policies, such as housing and education. Hate speech needs to be eliminated in order to combat stereotypes. Introducing regional cooperation and sharing best practices across countries will be valuable – e.g. the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2020-2030. Gypsyism, however, remains the biggest barrier and it must be tackled on all fronts.

The report presents 8 policy recommendations from Roma youth in Bulgaria which could fit strategic frameworks and policy approaches in Europe. These were presented at the Roma Week in Brussels, held between 20-24 April 2026.

Project: 101147330 – RomaREACH – CERV-2023-CITIZENS-CIV (EU Funded project)

Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible.

For more information, please see: