Background

The infrastructure and environmental situation in the Iztok Roma District in the Pazardzhik Municipality is characterized by underdevelopment, lack of waste management and of environmentally-orientated behaviour. The Badeshte Association has the following objectives:
changing the mentality of Roma District inhabitants concerning the environment;
ensuring rational use of natural resources and effective nature protection;
stimulating the 'economy-environment' connection.

The project has been approved by the Open Society Foundation, the NGO and Local Authorities Joint Initiatives Program.

Practice

The Iztok District in the town of Pazardzhik has a compact Roma population of 22,000 living in extreme poverty and underdevelopment. The local Badeshte Association focused the attention of the municipality to the problems of this community again on December 15, 1999. The Pazardzhik Municipality agreed to join the project as a partner and provide technical and expert assistance. Initial funding was provided by the Open Society Foundation.

The human resources for the revitalization of the local park area and for building a football playground were provided by local people themselves. Thirty people were employed for the project, being paid the minimum salary for Bulgaria. Thus local population was motivated to work for the project, their situation was improved and they were encouraged to search for other ways of self-support. All workers were up to 28 years, appointed after submitting an official request and CV to the Badeshte Association. The requests were considered and approved by the Labour Bureau, having been examined by the Social Care Department. Both offices provided consultancy for the Badeshte Association itself. A persisting problem appeared to be the insufficient project funding, where 23,000 USD covered only 50% of all workers' wages. The solution was found when the Labour Bureau agreed to provide the remaining 50% by Article 61 of the Law on Protecting the Unemployed and Encouraging Employment, with employees agreeing to do some additional work outside the project. All employees can be divided in three groups:
- 5 women whose husbands are in prison;
- 10 young men who have never been employed before;
- 15 unemployed.

Thanks to the Deputy Mayor of Pazardzhik, Mrs. Ivanka Bandeva, who recognized the significance of the problem, the Municipality provided the necessary equipment, as well as construction plans for the football playground. The plans were prepared by the Chief Architect of the Municipality, dipl. eng. Hristo Gerassimov, while dipl. eng. Ginka Nestorova agreed to help with the planting of the local park area. Many trees were planted and pedestrian alleys were designed, with a number of benches and children's playgrounds. This was done for the first time in the Roma District and gained much popularity for the project.

Another project activity was related to the establishment of a children's interest group called Young Environmentalist , involving two groups of children between 7 and 12 years of age. With the help of specialists they performed two types of activities: practical ones and environmental education sessions. Special attention deserves the fact that the groups include children who are not students but nevertheless take an active part in all joint initiatives.

Results

The major achievements of the Iztok District Urbanization Project in the Pazardzhik Municipality include:
- Protecting and revitalizing the environment - cleen streets, local park, green areas (with the construction of water cascades in the near future);
- Raising public awareness on common environmental issues and changing their attitudes - the Young Environmentalist Group;
- Full-time employment of 30 people who live in extreme poverty;
- On April 8 2000, the Badeshte Association organized a press-conference for local media, reporting and promoting all project activities.