IOM's mission in Bulgaria is committed to supporting the migrants’ integration in Bulgarian society by offering a variety of programmes for education, social adaptation and professional development. Our efforts are aimed at providing conditions for the successful integration of migrants and refugees, focusing on enhancing their skills, knowledge and adaptation to the social and cultural environment in Bulgaria.  

IOM Bulgaria’s programmes include information sessions covering topics such as culture and social norms in Bulgaria, legal procedures, employment opportunities, family reunification and other aspects of social and economic integration. These information sessions provide relevant information to migrants at the Registration and Reception Centres (RRCs) of the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) on integration measures to facilitate their social and economic inclusion, including social and cultural aspects of Bulgarian society, employment opportunities, family reunification and other legal procedures. 

Multicultural events such as photo exhibitions and culinary events are organized to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between migrants and the Bulgarian society. National media campaigns, featuring videos and web banners, are designed to raise awareness about migration issues among the Bulgarian public. Additionally, participation in film festivals focusing on migration-related themes further contributes to increasing awareness and promoting intercultural dialogue.  

Our programs and efforts focus on both professional integration and cultural enrichment, ensuring long-term sustainability for migrants in the country. 
 

TARGET GROUPS
The integration and training programmes are aimed at:   

  • Migrants and refugees, including persons who are seeking or have received international protection, in Bulgaria who wish to settle and integrate into Bulgarian society.   
  • Members of their families who also need support for social and cultural adaptation.
     

OUR SERVICES

IOM Bulgaria offers a wide range of integration and training services for refugees and migrants including:   

  • Bulgarian language courses: we provide Bulgarian language training for migrants to facilitate their communication and ability to cope independently with everyday life.   
  • Educational and vocational courses: we develop programmes for the acquisition of new skills and professional qualifications and experience to support their employment in the local labour market. 
  • Information sessions on social adaptation: we organize various trainings to deal with administrative and social issues that migrants face in the integration process. 
  • Support and counselling: Migrants and refugees often face challenges related to adaptation and overcoming traumatic experiences. IOM Bulgaria provides psychological support and counselling to support their mental and emotional wellbeing. 
  • Social assistance and counselling: we provide assistance to accessing social and medical services, with the aim of facilitating migrants in their resettlement process.  
  • Job placement assistance: We support migrants in the process of finding suitable employment that matches their experience and qualifications. This includes assistance with professional development and work integration.   
  • Financial assistance: We cover urgent needs, including the provision of food, hygiene items, and other essentials, to support migrants in crisis situations.   
  • Cultural adaptation and social integration: We organize visits to historical and cultural sites to help migrants learn about Bulgaria's cultural heritage and integrate better into the local community.  
     

CONTACT OUR MIGRANT INTEGRATION AND TRAINING TEAM

You can contact our migrant integration and training team on +359 (2) 93-94-733 and by email at iomsofia@iom.int. For information about Bulgarian language training programs - you can contact us by email iombglearn@iom.int .

 

CONTACTS OF MIGRANT INTEGRATION CENTERS

Migrant Integration Centre in Sofia: Tsar Asen 77 street  

Migrant Integration Center in Burgas: 43 Stefan Stambolov blvd., office 3, Burgas, Tel: +359886177295 

Migrant Integration Center in Varna: 118 Targovska str, Chaika, Varna +359 88-61-77-329  

 

CURRENT PROJECTS:

Increasing the Awareness and Tolerance of the Society and Integration Support

Overall objective of the project: To contribute to increasing the tolerance of Bulgarian society towards ] migrants and facilitating the integration including social and economic inclusion, of third-country nationals (TCNs) legally residing in Bulgaria.

Start date: 10.09.2024
End date: 09.09.2029
Term of implementation: 60 months

Find our more information about the project

Bulgarian language training for legally residing migrants

 

Overall objective of the project: To contribute to improving the provision of integration measures to TCNs legally residing in Bulgaria.

Start date: 10.09.2024
End date: 09.09.2028
Term of implementation: 48 months

Find our more information about the project

 

Migrant Information Centres - Support to Social Inclusion of Migrants in Bulgaria


 

Overall objective of the project: Тo improve the social, economic, and cultural integration of third – country nationals (TCNs) in Bulgaria by providing comprehensive integration services. 

Start date: 10.09.2024
End date: 09.09.2028
Term of implementation: 48 months

Find our more information about the project