Children from Vulnerable Ethnic Groups in Bulgaria: Between Community Traditions and the Conservatism of Institutions

For decades, the demographic processes in Bulgaria have been associated with an ageing population and a declining share of young age groups, with these changes taking place at different rates in the three largest ethnic groups – Bulgarian, Turkish and Roma. The existing socio-economic inequalities have a strong negative effect on the well-being and quality of life of children and adolescents, and especially those of the Roma and Turkish communities. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic has intensified the negative impact on the children from these vulnerable groups and has refocused on the many complex and multifaceted issues that affect their lives, education, health, normal development and integration. The paper analyzes the sectoral policies in the field of social protection, education and health care and presents the main problems and challenges to the integration of the children from vulnerable ethnic groups. The study outlines the need for new models and approaches to work, which are aimed both at changing the conservative traditions of the ethnic communities and at coordinating and integrating the efforts of the institutions for more effective cooperation and interaction in working with these children and achieving positive and sustainable results related to their personal development and social inclusion.


Keywords: children from vulnerable ethnic groups, personal development, social inclusion, integrated approach