HERO (Housing and Empowerment of Roma) Project in Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia
Launched in 2021, the Housing and Empowerment of Roma project aims to improve living conditions and access to financial services for Roma communities in Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia. Inspired by successful initiatives such as "Building Hope" and "Project DOM.ov"2, the project is backed by €2.8 million from the European Parliament and implemented by the Council of Europe Development Bank under the leadership of the European Commission. HERO seeks to create sustainable solutions through an innovative and integrated approach.
In just 10 months since May 2024, the project has achieved significant results in Bulgaria thanks to the joint efforts of the local project partners—despite delays caused by challenges related to the involvement of a banking institution. These achievements are comparable with the progress of our international partners in Romania and Slovakia.
The Trust for Social Achievement led the project in Bulgaria, providing guidance and training in employment, informal settlement regulation, and housing improvements. Habitat Bulgaria led financial literacy and energy efficiency training sessions. The Integro Association focused on direct outreach to the beneficiaries and cooperation with local authorities, while the Microfund provided microcredit to project participants for housing improvements.
The initiative operated across six municipalities: Botevgrad, Velingrad, Peshtera, Rakovski, Tvarditsa, and Yablanitsa. Local authorities played a key role in introducing and supporting the project, improving access to employment and property regulation for Roma community members.
The project outcomes show considerable impact on the Roma communities involved.
- 93 out of 233 participants from the six communities improved their financial literacy, learning how to plan their spending, save, and use appropriate banking products and financial services.
- 164 participants received job placement support. Of these, 28 successfully completed vocational training as care assistants, assistant chefs, hairdressers, manicurists, and forklift operators. These qualifications provide them with better opportunities in the labor market.
- Another 60 participants took part in training on job searching and applications. 20 of them secured employment, many for the first time with official contracts.
- 73 participants received guidance on home maintenance and energy efficiency. Of these, 14 families received individual consultations to plan specific improvements to ensure the safety and security of their homes.
- Nine families were approved for housing microloans and began renovations.
Additionally, the town of Yablanitsa now has a Family Support Center, which will offer long-term support in employment, education, and housing for Roma families.
Results from Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia
Over two years of implementation, the HERO project has produced significant and measurable results across all three countries, demonstrating the effectiveness of its integrated approach. By coordinating efforts in financial literacy, employment, housing, and community empowerment, the project achieved sustainable results that adequately address the specific needs of vulnerable groups. These are not just isolated successes, but part of a greater transformation resulting from cooperation between institutions, organizations, and vulnerable communities. The trained individuals in financial literacy and family budget management are over five hundred and fifty-three people across the three participating countries, with the participants acquiring skills in planning expenses, saving and prudent use of financial products.
- More than 553 participants across the three countries were trained in financial literacy and family budget management, learning how to plan expenses, save, and make effective use of financial services.
- Over 362 people received support for their professional development through career counseling, courses, and vocational training to improve their qualifications. Many of them have successfully entered the labor market, improving their prospects for a stable income.
- 21 houses were either built or renovated, with families contributing both physical labor and a sense of personal responsibility to the construction process in an effort to create better and safer homes.
- 39 participants accessed microloans, helping them purchase construction materials and carry out necessary home repairs to provide safe and sustainable family living.
Held in March 2025, the closing event in Brussels brought together representatives of key European institutions, partner organizations and participating families to discuss prospects for expanding HERO's integrated approach to other countries. Speakers emphasized the importance and relevance of a holistic and integrated approach, treating financial support, employment, education, housing security and empowerment as interconnected elements.
HERO has demonstrated that when institutions, organizations and communities collaborate purposefully, sustainable change is not just possible – it becomes a reality. Moreover, it has shown that when individuals are given the tools, support, and opportunities to actively shape their own futures, the outcomes exceed expectations. True transformation begins with the belief that every family deserves the opportunity for a better future.
