Caritas Bulgaria
1. General activities of the organization:
Caritas Bulgaria is a charity, non-profit, non-governmental, independent public organization which works with various social groups in need of support and protection
The Migration Service of Caritas Bulgaria is working on different programs with refugees, asylum seekers, voluntary returned Bulgarians from EU countries, migrants and traffic issues.
2. ERSO member is funded by:
The Migration Service of Caritas Bulgaria is funded by National Catholic Federation Caritas Bulgaria, UNHCR Representation-Bulgaria, Bulgarian government, Caritas Internationalis Belgium and Dutch Foundation of religious against Trafficking in Women.
3. Target group of the ERSO member (in the context of return and reintegration):
The return policy to the countries of origin is in process of development by the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior - the governing institution of the ERF in Bulgaria. The NGOs expect the first calls of proposals concerning the v/r in the coming months.
The main target groups of Caritas Bulgaria:
• the voluntary returned Bulgarian migrants from European countries, in particular from Belgium,
• the rejected asylum seekers and the aliens in detention Center “Busmanzi” near the capital Sofia
4. Does the ERSO member offer pre-departure counseling?
Caritas Bulgaria has undertaken activities in order to contribute to the creation of a network of governmental organisations and NGOs and meet the challenges of the current development of Bulgaria as “frontier” country receiving asylum seekers wishing to settle in Europa.
During the year 2007 we began with the development of the capacity of the organisation through experience exchange in the frames of ERSO project in connection with the pre-departure counselling.
In 2008 we started providing counselling in the detention center near Sofia in order to investigate the needs in regard to voluntary return.
In April 2009 we already have 4 successful cases /3 to Kosovo and 1 to Ukraine / of consulted by as clients, reintegrated in their country of origin in the frames of ERSO network.
5. What kind of reintegration assistance does the ERSO member offer to returnees?
Caritas Bulgaria is providing to the voluntary returned Bulgarians:
Accommodation, Medical examination in the Medical Center “Johan Paul II”;
Interview and consultations about the opportunities to become a part of vocational programs according to the Bulgarian Legislation; Consultations with explanations for the necessary legal steps to go on pension or to renew the medical insurance in Bulgaria; Contacts and escort to the governmental and municipal authorities; Transport to the living place; Food and sanitary packages; Monthly amount; Free of charge medicaments based on medical prescriptions etc.
6. Partners in the context of voluntary return and reintegration:
National level: State Agency for refugees to the Council of ministers, Direction “Migration” to the Ministry of Interior, Border Police Directorate, IOM-Bulgaria, UNHCR Representation Bulgaria.
EU level: Caritas Belgium; ERSO members
Countries of origin: Countries of origin Partners provided to us through the ERSO members
7. Top 5 of returnees by country of origin assisted by the ERSO member in 2008:
Top 5 actual returns by country of origin
- Kosovo
- Ukraine
