Project "My Vote is Worth"
Duration January 2014 – December 2014

I. Description
BILI is partner organization in the project “My Vote is Worth” which aim is to empower, educate and motivate Roma people- with special focus on Roma women and youth- to be active citizens and to make their voices heard by exercising their civil rights through voting and taking part in the democratic process of elections and through holding elected representatives accountable for the promises they make during election campaigns. The effective partnership between Roma activists and non-Roma NGOs but with relevant experience, together with the proper methods chosen to enable the partners to achieve changes in elections-related policies and practices, social norms and capacities will secure the desired results.

II. Main Activities
Activities carried out by BILI
- Analysis of Roma election activity in 2014 European Parliament Elections in Varna
- Methodology for accountability of elected European representatives
Other project activities
Increasing voter turnout among Roma people in Varna;
Creating opportunities for voters to dialogue with candidates;
Securing sustainability of the project with newly founded Roma NGO and thus to provoke changes in relevant policies on national level

III. Funding/Support/Partner
Leading organization implementing the project is “Human Rights – Step by Step” Association. Partnering organizations is the Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives. The project is executed with a grant by the Open Society Foundation/Roma Initiatives Office, Budapest.

"ROMA IN VARNA AND EUROPEAN ELECTIONS 2014" EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF ANALYSYS (аvailable in Bulgarian)