What is JOBS?: What is JOBS? A joint project of the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and UNDP Support to entrepreneurship and job creation in areas facing high unemployment A network of 42 business centres and 10 business incubators (BC/BI) across Bulgaria providing services to micro and small enterprises, unemployed people and agricultural producers Special business and employment promotion initiatives in minority communities


Minority support initiatives: Minority support initiatives The JOBS for Roma project financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – SIDA (2004 – 2007); 2 business centres based in Roma neighbourhoods in Burgas and Pazardjik The NCCEDI/UNDP project Urbanisation and Social Development of Areas with Disadvantaged Minority Populations financed by the EU Phare Programme (2004 – 2006); employment and business start-up services provided in 6 minority communities The Roma Inclusion through Business Support – RIBS project financed by the UK, Switzerland and UNDP (2006-2009); replicates the JOBS for Roma experience in 2 minority communities in Peshtera and Elhovo


The JOBS Network: The JOBS Network Serbia Macedonia Greece Romania Turkey Business Centre JOBS for Roma Urbanisation RIBS Project


Challenges and problems : Challenges and problems Entrenched segregation and exclusion from the process of social development and the job market, cases of discrimination Multiple and diverse sub-groups with different cultural identities, ethnic affiliations and denominations Widespread illiteracy, poor educational attainment and qualification, low business development potential Low incomes and a culture of poverty clashing with long-term investment in education and personal development Relatively poor transparency and forms of dependency within the Roma environment Lack of trust between the Bulgarian and the Roma ethnic groups


Work in minority communities: The underpinning principles: Work in minority communities: The underpinning principles Community participation Mobilisation of local resources Partnership Respect for one another Joint contributions to development Building local capacity to make sure activities will be sustainable over time


A specific mechanism: The business centre: A specific mechanism: The business centre A local non-governmental organisation created in partnership between public and private sector stakeholders BC founders: Local institutions: the Municipality, the Labour Office Business representatives: a local bank, entrepreneurs Citizen organisations active in the community BC team pooling experts from different ethnic backgrounds Assessment and analysis of the local situation and the needs of the community Design and provision of a service package tailored to the specific local environment


Joint efforts: Joint efforts Support, methodology and expertise from MLSP, NCCEDI and UNDP within the JOBS Project Financial support from international donors for pilot initiatives and targeted action in minority communities (Sweden, UK, Switzerland, EU, UNDP) Support from the local governments (the municipalities grant for free premises for implementation of project activities and are directly involved in BC establishment and management) Cooperation with other institutions and organisations Direct community participation (minority members are directly engaged in BC establishment and management and on the BC team) Readiness of the target group to benefit from BC assistance


Key focus areas: Key focus areas Increasing employability Promoting and supporting entrepreneurship (assistance to active companies and business starters) 3. Job placement assistance (employment brokerage services)


Employment promotion services: Employment promotion services Motivational training Training in job-searching skills, preparation of job application papers, interviewing skills Information and consultations about finding jobs and enrolling in appropriate training courses Vocational training and retraining courses Language courses and computer skills training Internship opportunities


Business support services: Business support services Training (in Start-Your-Business, basic finance, small firm management, marketing) Assistance with company registration, legal, tax and accounting advice Advocacy in relations with public institutions and banks Business planning Information and advisory services Support to find clients and suppliers Staff recruitment assistance Promotion, participation in industry fairs and events Direct access to microfinance


Microfinance: Microfinance Challenges: Extremely difficult access to business finance, lack of credit experience, no credit history and collateral Insecurity – inability to make long-term financial commitments Targeted assistance is needed to build basic financial management and planning skills Financial mechanisms designed offering easier terms which take into account community specifics: Financial leasing for purchase of business equipment up to BGN 25,000 (12,500 euro; 9 months of grace; 4 years to repay the lease) Start-up grants up to BGN 2,000 enabling beginner entrepreneurs to cover pre-start costs for their business (1,000 euro; the grant can be used to cover the cost of business fees and permits, acquisition of supplies and assets, insurance, training, etc.)


Job placement assistance: Job placement assistance Employment brokerage services licensed at the BC Registration, training and career guidance Development of working habits, advocacy when starting a job Encouraging employers to hire Roma people Synergies with other job market players – the Labour Offices, private job agencies, employers, etc.


Results achieved at end-March 2007: Results achieved at end-March 2007


Our experience: What we learned: Our experience: What we learned Adapt your model and approach to the specific local environment BC based inside the minority neighbourhood, ethnically pluralistic teams joining together Roma and Bulgarian staff Different models new BC (Burgas and Pazardjik) visiting business consultant (6 communities under the Urbanisation Project) window offices attached to existing BCs (Elhovo and Peshtera) The active participation of the community is the single most decisive factor to make a model successful


JOBS Project contacts:: JOBS Project contacts: JOBS Project Central Coordination Unit 131 Tsarigradsko Chaussee Blvd, АТМ Centre 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria Tel. (+359 2) 976 78 10 Fax (+ 359 2) 976 78 37 E-mail: office@jobs-bg.org www.jobs-bg.org