Final conference of the ERIAS project

The online final conference of the ERIAS (European Refugees Integration Action Scheme) project was held, during which information was presented on the goals and results of the project in Bulgaria for the integration of third country nationals into the labour market through enhanced cooperation and mobilization of employers, social and economic partners.

The event was officially opened by Tsvetan Simeonov, President of BCCI, who expressed his satisfaction with the work of the Chamber and its partner organizations to build a cooperation network for the integration of refugees and third country nationals. He said that the topic of integration of refugees is especially relevant within the EU and coordination between institutions is of particular importance.

Gabriela Dimitrova, Director “International Cooperation and International Organizations” at BCCI and Project Manager for Bulgaria, presented the project activities and the achieved results, including the publication of a handbook for employers, a brochure for third country nationals and refugees "First Steps in Bulgaria", organization of entrepreneurship seminars and trainings, organization of Bulgarian language courses, etc.

Representatives of the regional chambers of commerce in Haskovo and Stara Zagora, project partners, made a detailed presentation of the trainings held in the respective regions and shared observations from their activities.

Elena Marinotti, representative of Formaper, the project coordinator for Italy, presented the results of the project in the partner countries: Italy, Spain, Greece and France. As part of the project 4 skills assessments, 25 trainings, 3 counseling and guidance activities were conducted, and over 500 companies were informed and invited to contribute to the activities through 8 seminars, 2 surveys, about 40 meetings and numerous individual contacts.

Representatives of UNHCR Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Red Cross, Caritas Sofia, Sofia Development Association, and “Mission Wings” Foundation reviewed the process of integration of refugees and third country nationals in Bulgaria, the role of employment for labour market integration and the conditions for hiring refugees and third country nationals in Bulgaria. The procedure for obtaining a work permit in Bulgaria was presented as well as the documents for starting work, cooperation with employers, etc.

During the conference, stories about the successful integration of refugees and third country nationals into the Bulgarian labour market were shared.