Centres for integration and inclusive education to open in five small towns

Five centres for educational, social and health services are being established in small towns as part of the programme "Promoting Justice: Health and Inclusive Education for All - ZOV 2", funded by the Bulgarian-Swiss Cooperation Programme. The municipalities of Ruzhintsi, Chuprene, Antonovo, Nikola Kozlevo and Kaynardzha will benefit from these services.

The aim is to reduce economic, health and educational disparities between people. "We must make every effort to integrate every child into the education system," said Education Minister Krasimir Valchev. As part of the programme, 600 mediators will be trained to help connect and integrate vulnerable groups into the social and educational system.

The programme, with a total budget of over 9 million Swiss francs, will run from 1 March 2025 to 3 December 2029. Bulgaria will co-finance 15% of the activities.