Centre for information, adaptation and integration of citizens of third countries

The main goal of the project is to establish an information centre for third-country citizens in Sofia, Bulgaria and provide support for their effective social, economic, educational and cultural adaptation and integration in Bulgaria.

The specific objectives of the initiative are:

- to create and implement effective integration models and practices

- to develop Manuals for a successful adaptation and integration of third-country citizens in Bulgaria

- to develop informational materials about the main rights and obligations of third-country citizens

- to develop a website with full information on the project, the Manuals and an option for online consulting of third-country citizens

- to facilitate the access of third-country citizens to institutions and services in the areas of labour market, healthcare, education, social adaptation, etc.

- to improve the quality and effectiveness of the work with migrants

- to encourage the multicultural dialogue

Year(s): 2011

Target group(s): Third-country nationals

Website: http://www.infocenter-grd.org/

Methodology

In order to reach its goals the project has developed Manuals for integration and adaptation of third-country citizens as well as a Handbook for migrant children which provide the most important information and stages of the process of integration and adaptation into the local society.

The Manual on Integration provides information on several important stages of the process of integration or the so-called “road map for integration”, and namely: 1) what are the rights and obligations of third-country citizens in the Republic of Bulgaria; 2) what are the possibilities for access to local institutions and services; 3) what are the main tools for full scale participation in the local society.

The Manual on Adaptation aims to support the migrants in their access to the country, to provide them with the possibility to make informed choices about the country, to provide them with information about their first steps in entering the country, orientation and adaptation.

Type of product

Online resource

Electronic manuals

Brief description of the product / outcome / method

The Manual on Integration of Citizens of Third Countries in Republic of Bulgaria contains the following sections:

- What is a citizen of third country?

- What is integration?

- Road map for integration – how to participate in full scale in the public life of the country

• Legal integration – rights and responsibilities, laws, etc.

• Cultural integration – learning the Bulgarian language, Bulgarian history, habits and rituals

• Social and economic integration – education, healthcare, employment, starting an own business

• Civil integration – participation in public life, important institutions, NGOs, emergency, etc.

The Manual on Adaptation of Citizens of Third Countries in Republic of Bulgaria contains the following sections:

- Short description of Bulgaria

- What is adaptation?

- How to enter Bulgaria

• Types of visas – what is a transit trip, visa “C” for a planned stay, multiple visa for short-term stay, invitation declaration, proving the purpose of the travel, visa “D” for long-term stay, issue of visas, requirements for visas

- How to stay in Bulgaria

• Necessary documents – for labour market activity in the country, for commercial activity, for medical services, for pension security, for free-lance activity, for non-economic activity, etc.

- I want my family to be in Bulgaria – necessary documents

Impact on target groups / Transferability potential

The Manual for Integration supports the efficient legal, social and economic, educational, cultural and civil integration of the citizens of third countries in Bulgaria. The information in the Manual contains answers to some basic questions related with the integration process and the basic steps in the integration “road map”.

The Manual for Adaptation supports the migrants in their access to Bulgaria, gives them the possibility to make informed choices about the country, to know about the first most important steps after they cross the borders of Bulgaria. The information in the Manual provides an answer of the question which are the basic steps for adaptation and socialization of the citizens of third countries.

The Manuals are available via the project website in Bulgarian, English, Russian, French, Arabic and Chinese.

Promoter of the initiative

Name of organization / individual: Centre for information, adaptation and integration of citizens of third countries

Country: Bulgaria

Website: http://www.infocenter-grd.org/

Contacts: info@infocenter-grd.org