Velingrad
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Velingrad Municipality is located in southwestern Bulgaria and is part of Pazardzhik Province. Velingrad town administrates 21 settlements.
According to official data, the Roma population consists of 5% of the total population in the municipality. However, according to municipal sources, the Roma population is about 4 600 people. They live in separate neighborhoods and are concentrated in Velingrad and Draginovo.
Some of the main problems Roma are faced with are:
• Illegal houses;
• A huge number of the population emigrates to Western Europe;
• High unemployment rate;
• High levels of discrimination against Roma;
• There is no water supply network in parts of the Roma neighborhoods;
• Unregulated landfills;
• A huge number of people do not have health insurance.
The ROMACT Process
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.