Breaking the Cycle: Roma Families Trapped in Multidimensional Poverty
This is an article presenting the research prepared by Integro Association, Bulgaria, given the subgrants under the ERGO sub-granting scheme 2024, funded by the EU
For many Roma families in Bulgaria, poverty is not just about the lack of income—it is a web of deprivation that extends into education, healthcare, housing, and employment. A new research report by Liliya Makaveeva, an ERGO Network member in Bulgaria Integro Association, based on case studies from ten municipalities, reveals the stark reality of multidimensional poverty among Roma communities and calls for urgent, integrated policy solutions.
The study, conducted between March and July 2024, combines in-depth interviews with Roma families, local mediators, and municipal representatives with statistical data from the Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) 2023. The findings paint a grim picture: 65% of Roma in Bulgaria live below the poverty line, compared to 14.3% of ethnic Bulgarians. However, income alone does not explain the depth of hardship Roma communities face.
This project was implemented using a grant from ERGO Network’s financial support to third parties through its Annual Work Programme ‘Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2025’, funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Commission.
More Than Just Money: The Poverty Trap
The research highlights that poverty among Roma is multidimensional—it encompasses poor housing conditions, exclusion from social services, lack of access to quality healthcare, and systemic discrimination in education and employment. While many families rely on social benefits, the support is minimal and often comes with strict conditions that fail to reflect the reality of their struggles.
For example, children from low-income Roma families are regularly sanctioned with reduced social assistance when they miss school, even if absences are due to extreme poverty—such as lacking shoes or winter coats. A 36-year-old mother from Novi Pazar explains: “My daughter missed school because she had no coat. When I finally got a loan to buy one, it was too late—they had already cut our benefits.” Instead of helping families escape poverty, punitive measures further entrench their exclusion.
Housing Without Security, Healthcare Without Access
The lack of legal housing status exacerbates the crisis. Many Roma settlements exist outside regulated urban areas, meaning residents have no formal ownership and cannot access basic utilities such as running water or waste collection. The consequences are dire: entire neighbourhoods rely on makeshift water sources, and open sewage drains pose severe health risks.
Healthcare access is another major challenge. Many Roma lack health insurance due to irregular employment or the inability to pay past contributions, leaving them unable to see a doctor. Even those with insurance face discrimination in medical facilities. The study documents cases where hospitals refuse to acknowledge severe disabilities, preventing individuals from accessing state support. One man with a colostomy was repeatedly denied disability certification, trapping him in a cycle of poverty and medical neglect.
Employment Barriers and Generational Poverty
Employment services are failing Roma communities. The report finds that while many Roma are registered with Employment Offices, they rarely receive job offers, training opportunities, or meaningful career support. Many Roma rely on precarious, informal jobs with no contracts or security.
Even when work is available, discrimination remains a significant barrier. Employers frequently reject Roma applicants or impose unnecessary education requirements for low-skilled jobs. Women, particularly mothers, face additional barriers due to the lack of childcare options and rigid work schedules.
Urgent Call for Change
The report concludes that Bulgaria’s current social policies are not only failing to alleviate Roma poverty—they are actively reinforcing it. The study’s authors call for a radical shift:
- Tailored, long-term support instead of punitive sanctions
- Legalising and improving housing conditions in Roma settlements
- Ensuring universal healthcare access, regardless of insurance status
- Combating labour market discrimination and providing real employment pathways
- Creating integrated social services that address the multiple dimensions of poverty
Poverty in Roma communities is not a personal failure—it is a systemic issue. Without immediate policy changes, the cycle of deprivation will continue for generations. As the report clarifies, breaking this cycle requires more than financial aid; it demands a fundamental shift in how Bulgaria approaches social justice and equality for all its citizens.
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