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Gurkovo Municipality is located in the south east of Bulgaria, in Stara Zagora Province. It comprises of 11 settlements.
According to official data, the Roma population consists of 20% of the total population in the municipality.
Roma are located in the Lozenets North quarter of Gurkovo ( Romani speaking ), Lozenets South quarter of Gurkovo (Turkish speaking community, that identifies as Turks), and in Panicherevo (Turkish speaking community, that identifies as Turks)
The municipality is actively trying to develop project proposals under the Operational Programmes. In recent years there has been active migration to major cities in the country and abroad.
Some of the main problems Roma are faced with are:
• Illegal houses;
• Great poverty;
• Poor infrastructure in Roma neighborhoods;
• A huge number of the population emigrates to Western Europe;
• High unemployment rate;
• A huge number of people do not have health insurance.
ROMACT started in March 2020 with the signature of the Letter of agreement.
The Taskforce for Roma inclusion was created following Mayor's approval in September 2020.