Cutting the economic costs of prejudice: microfinance services in Roma communities in Bulgaria
Ethnic division, discrimination and poverty are among the factors that prevent marginalized members of the Roma society from fully integrating in Bulgarian society. Microfinance is a tool that can be used to empower these marginalized households to develop a greater sense of solidarity within these communities. Long-term success, however, depends on intentional partnerships with other civil society and government actors who can influence social change. This article describes the experiences of the Alliance for Inclusive Business Development of Roma Communities in Bulgaria project that was implemented by Catholic Relief Services, USAID, USTOI AD and Mikrofond EAD. The project provided microfinance services to Roma community members and showcased their successes. This project was able to demonstrate how certain stereotypes can be overcome for an ethnic group that has suffered years of discrimination throughout Europe, and especially in Bulgaria.UNDP (2002) The Roma in Central and Eastern Europe: Avoiding the Dependency Trap, A regional human development report, UNDP/ILO.
UNICEF (2005) Revised Country Programme Document: Bulgaria, UNICEF, www.unicef.org/about/execboard/files/Bulgaria_CPD_Rev.1.pdf www.unicef.org/about/execboard/files/Bulgaria_CPD_Rev.1.pdf
UNDP (2002) The Roma in Central and Eastern Europe: Avoiding the Dependency Trap, A regional human development report, UNDP/ILO.
UNICEF (2005) Revised Country Programme Document: Bulgaria, UNICEF, www.unicef.org/about/execboard/files/Bulgaria_CPD_Rev.1.pdf www.unicef.org/about/execboard/files/Bulgaria_CPD_Rev.1.pdf
UNDP (2002) The Roma in Central and Eastern Europe: Avoiding the Dependency Trap, A regional human development report, UNDP/ILO.
UNICEF (2005) Revised Country Programme Document: Bulgaria, UNICEF, www.unicef.org/about/execboard/files/Bulgaria_CPD_Rev.1.pdf www.unicef.org/about/execboard/files/Bulgaria_CPD_Rev.1.pdf
UNDP (2002) The Roma in Central and Eastern Europe: Avoiding the Dependency Trap, A regional human development report, UNDP/ILO.
UNICEF (2005) Revised Country Programme Document: Bulgaria, UNICEF, www.unicef.org/about/execboard/files/Bulgaria_CPD_Rev.1.pdf www.unicef.org/about/execboard/files/Bulgaria_CPD_Rev.1.pdf
Providing alternatives to infant institutionalisation in Bulgaria: How gatekeeping can benefit from a social development orientation
Bilson, Andy
Larkins, Cath
Children and Youth Services Review, Vol. 35 (2013), Iss. 9 P.1566
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.06.008 [Citations: 8]Organizations Driving Positive Social Change
Stephan, Ute
Patterson, Malcolm
Kelly, Ciara
Mair, Johanna
Journal of Management, Vol. 42 (2016), Iss. 5 P.1250
https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316633268 [Citations: 219]- Value chain financing: evidence from Zambia on smallholder access to finance for mechanization
- Developing agro-pastoral entrepreneurship: bundling blended finance and technology
- Building frontline market facilitators' capacity: the case of the ‘Integrating Very Poor Producers into Value Chains Field Guide’
- Boosting financial inclusion through social assistance reform: evidence-based approach in selecting a payment system
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