# CE2004088EN.01043401.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/434 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/434

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(2004/C 88 E/0439)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2701/03

by Geoffrey Van Orden (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject:   Child protection funding in Bulgaria

Subject:

With regard to pre-accession funding for Bulgaria, what amounts have been allocated for projects relating to child protection and welfare, and what proposals have been submitted for more resources to be targeted on this area?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(30 September 2003)

(30 September 2003)

As outlined in the Commission's Regular Report 2002 (1) on Bulgaria's progress towards accession, Bulgaria needs to continue to strengthen its efforts in reform of the child care system, ensuring that the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child is fully respected, that the best interests of the child are reflected and that children are placed in institutions only as a last resort.

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The Commission supports Bulgaria's efforts in this area through pre-accession funding. A Phare project entitled ‘Child Welfare Reform’, with EUR 3,5 million of funding from Phare and; and Bulgarian co-financing of EUR 0,5 million, is already being implemented, largely through twinning. The project aims to assist the authorities to improve policies towards socially marginalised children (including a significant number of Roma children and children with disabilities). It provides support and training to relevant bodies at national and regional levels and seeks to promote the development of alternative forms of childcare as well as supporting the reform of the management and care of children in a number of selected homes.

Another project has been agreed, in principle, under pre-accession assistance provided for in 2003, namely ‘Improvement of quality of life of people with mental disabilities’ (Phare budget: EUR 2 million; Bulgarian co-financing: EUR 0,67 million). This project aims to support the development and improvement of alternative medical, social and educational services for both children and adults with mental disabilities.

A number of projects provide indirect support to child protection in Bulgaria e.g. the project ‘Roma Population Integration’ (Phare budget: EUR 1,65 million). This seeks to improve school attendance by Roma children by removing economic and cultural barriers at pre-school and primary level, increase the number of skilled teachers working in a multi-cultural environment and introduce a nationwide multicultural content revised curriculum. There are also projects related to civil society which include project activities in the area of social integration of vulnerable groups.

Finally, further pre-accession assistance is envisaged in the framework of multi-annual programming 2004-2006. Relevant proposals from the Bulgarian authorities are expected in the near future.

The Commission will continue to closely follow developments in this area, working closely with other major donors and international agencies such as the World Bank and UN Development Programme (DP).

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(1)  COM(2002) 700 final.

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