Strategic support measure under "Improving Public Safety and Security" Program, funded under the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Program 2025 - 2029,
The "Improving Public Safety and Security" program is structured in two program components: Program Component 1 "Public Safety and Security through Community Policing (SafeTogether)" and Program Component 2 "Improving Child Protection and Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (Path2Safety)"
Beneficiary: General Directorate National Police (GDNP) - Ministry of Interior
Program Management Team: Team of experts from „International Projects” Directorate - MOI
Program operator:
„International Projects” Directorate - MOI
Contract number for implementation of Program Components: № 812108-24/30.05.2025 г.
Implementation period: 48 months, from 30.10.2024 г. to 30.10.2028 г.
Total value of the Measure: 4 000 000 swiss francs
The Swiss contribution constitutes 85% of the total eligible costs of the programme.
Co-financing from the state budget constitutes 15% of the total eligible costs of the project.
Description of the Program:
The strategic focus of the Public Safety and Security Improvement Program is related to supporting a more comprehensive approach to public safety and security in Bulgaria by strengthening the capacity to counter and, in particular, prevent certain types of crimes.
Program Component 1 "Public Safety and Security through Community Policing”
Main goal: Improving public safety and security in selected regions through community policing and preventing certain types of crime.
Specific goals:
- To develop a concept for community policing based on an assessment of the situation in Bulgaria and good international practices;
- To pilot the concept of community policing in selected regions;
- To increase the capacity of police officers in pilot regions.
Activities:
- Activity 1 – Studies and analyses;
- Activity 2 – Supply of equipment and trainings to increase police capacity;
The use of mobile receptions will facilitate reception of citizens, which will lead to possibility of reaching all people, including those living in remote areas.
- Activity 3 – Awareness and awareness-raising campaigns.
Expected results:
- Introduced the Swiss model for community policing, piloted in three selected districts – Pernik, Pazardzhik and Montana, and subsequently in other districts (e.g. Blagoevgrad, Smolyan, Burgas, Kardzhali);
- Surveyed the level of trust among the local population to measure the effectiveness of the pilot model for community policing and to strengthen public awareness;
- Increased capacity and experience gained during the implementation of the program will contribute to achieving a sustainable positive impact on daily policing, as more police officers will be trained by those trained to apply the Swiss model;
- Strengthened cooperation with local communities and organizations to achieve a safer and more secure living and working environment.
Program Component 2: "Improving Child Protection and Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency“
Main goal: Children and youth in Bulgaria to be aware of risky behavior and grow up safer and more protected.
Specific goals:
- Children and young people are more aware of the risks of behavior related to committing crimes and are better prepared to make decisions;
- Strengthen capacity and improve infrastructure to address anti-social behaviour of minors and protect victims of crime.
Activities:
- Activity 1 – Renovation of homes for temporary accommodation of minors and juveniles, equipment and training;
It is planned to repair and equip the five homes for temporary accommodation of minors and juveniles in the country - Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv, Sofia and Gorna Oryahovitsa.
- Activity 2 – Update of the two national police programs – "Police Work in Schools" and "Children's Police Department";
- Activity 3 – Qualification courses for minors to prevent crimes and antisocial behavior in the future;
It is planned to train 200 young people in vocational training centers to prevent future crime and antisocial behavior. Successful graduates of the training will receive a certificate of professional qualification in a specific profession.
An annual subscription card for the digital platform "Ucha.se" (translation: "I am educating") will also be provided for the education of a total of 450 Roma and disadvantaged children.
- Activity 4 – Legislative changes
Within the framework of this activity, legislative changes will be initiated related to changing a certain category of children who can be placed in temporary accommodation homes for minors and juveniles. Other changes in the legislation will give more rights to the children placed there, in order to better protect their rights and ensure justice for them.
Expected results:
- Increased capacity of police officers fighting juvenile delinquency;
- Increased public awareness;
- Renovated premises for temporary accommodation of minors and juveniles;
- Initiated legislative changes regarding the conditions for accommodation of certain groups of
children in homes and their right to appeal.