HOW SOCIAL CHANGES AFFECT THE SOCIAL WORK IN BULGARIA National Development Agency, Berlin, International Conference, 15th May 2014 With financial support from the European Union

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS CONTENT Page 1 What is National Development Agency? Mission and objectives. Page 2 Introduction to social work Page 3 Social policies in Bulgaria – past and present. Modernization of the social assistance system. Page 4 Development of a national system of social services – a community-based model as an alternative to institutional care. Implementation plan and tackling today’s challenges. Page 5 Policy for social inclusion – main focuses. Page 6 Integration of people with disabilities, family and child support and foster care.

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY? MISSION AND OBJECTIVES. Contribution to Bulgaria’s sustainable socio-economic growth; Delivering projects to create a prosperous and sustainable country; Working in close partnership with other NGOs, public administrations and businesses; Improving the quality and effectiveness of education and training; Institutional building and strengthening of administrative capacity; PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES: Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme Lifelong Learning Programme South-East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme National programmes

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK The social work in the 21st century - dynamic and progressive activity Evolution of social work as a dynamic and progressive activity. Key factors - Standard of living ; - Quality of life; - Employment; - Pension system; - Social dialogue; - Social protection and assistance; - Social services;

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS SOCIAL POLICIES IN BULGARIA – PAST AND PRESENT. MODERNIZATION OF THE SOCIAL ASSISTANCE SYSTEM. Totalitrian “heritage” Social services in Bulgaria in the early 90s, institutions for social services. Reformation in a direction of active deinstitutionalization. Social policies and objects in Bulgaria - Employees, employers ; - Retired individuals, the unemployed, children and mothers; - Families, low-income people ; - People with disabilities; - Disadvantaged ethnic groups.

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL SYSTEM OF SOCIAL SERVICES – A COMMUNITY-BASED MODEL AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE. Social objects and policies in Bulgaria - Community-based social services - A clear criteria and standards for the quality of social services; - Promotion of best practices; - Local and state administrations; - Reforming the existing institutions. Challenge of the day – creating conditions for increased employment. a.Creating conditions for increasing employment, reducing poverty and overcoming social isolation in unfavorable economic environment. b.Tackling the negative trends in the labor market, where labor supply greatly exceeds demand. c. Negative continuous decrease of students in degree "doctor“.

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS Negative impact on the quality of human resources in the country – measures taken a.Participation rate in various forms of lifelong learning of the population aged between one of the lowest in the EU. b.National Strategy for Lifelong Learning – implemented by the Council of Ministers (CoM)

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS POLICY FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION – MAIN FOCUSES. Promoting social inclusion – main focuses and priority areas - Greater adequacy of social transfers; - Complete support for children and families ; - Inclusion to the labor market of unemployed persons from vulnerable groups; - Support for the elderly by providing long-term care services ; - Adequate support for the working poor and providing adequate housing for vulnerable groups and reduce homelessness.

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS INTEGRATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, FAMILY AND CHILD SUPPORT AND FOSTER CARE. Strategy for integration of people with disabilities Need of adoption of a strategy to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities. The target group - people with permanently reduced capacity for social adaptation. Different target groups eligible for family support - Lump sum benefit for pregnancy ; - Lump sum allowance for children up to the age of one year raised by a student mother - Monthly supplement for children with disabilities under 18 years of age - Allowances for free travel by rail and bus service in the country for for students.

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS Child support and foster care Child support and family support provided in pursuance of the Law on Child Protection. National Strategy "Vision for deinstitutionalization of children in Bulgaria ”. Measures to prevent abandonment. Foster care in Bulgaria – first steps.

WIT is a project funded under the EC Programme PROGRESS Thank you for your attention! 11 This training material is supported by the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity - PROGRESS ( ). This programme is implemented by the European Commission. It was established to financially support the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in the employment, social affairs and equal opportunities area, and thereby contribute to the achievement of the Europe 2020 Strategy goals in these fields. The seven-year Programme targets all stakeholders who can help shape the development of appropriate and effective employment and social legislation and policies, across the EU-27, EFTA-EEA and EU candidate and pre-candidate countries. For more information see: The information contained in this publication doesn’t necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. The sole responsibility of this training material content lies with the author. The Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information here contained.