Social Integration of Ukrainian Refugees in Bulgaria: Understanding the Role of Civil Society in Building Support Systems

Background and Purpose: Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, 203,120 refugees from Ukraine have sought Temporary Protection and shelter in Bulgaria (UNHCR, 2024). While the Bulgarian government aims to ensure right to work, access to vocational training, and social assistance, there are reports of termination of state-funded food supplies, threats around closure of hotels for housing Ukrainian refugees, and lack of a proper strategy for integration of refugees (FAR, 2023; Veleva & Atanasova, 2022). NGOs, volunteer groups, and individuals have stepped in to provide aid and assistance to the Ukrainian refugees.

There is a dearth of peer-reviewed literature in this area. This study utilizes the human rights framework vis-à-vis refugees (UNHCR, 1951) to understand the support systems available to the Ukrainian refugees from both the state and the civil society. It also examines the challenges and barriers in availability, accessibility, and adequacy of resources and services for the displaced population.

Methods: This paper is based on a qualitative exploratory narrative-based study conducted in 2024 in three cities of Bulgaria, which are hosting most of the Ukrainian refugees— Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna. A translator was hired for translating Ukrainian to English. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Twelve 90-minute-long interviews of key service providers assisting the Ukrainian refugees, were conducted using semi-structured interview guides. This included international and local NGOs such as the UNICEF, Red Cross and Multi Kulti Collective, social entrepreneurs, and professionals from multiple disciplines such as psychologists and social workers. Interviews were transcribed and data were analyzed using NVivo.

Findings: Findings suggest that while the government had a limited role in provision of aid and assistance, NGOs, volunteer groups and individuals have played a major role in developing support systems for the refugees. This includes immediate relief to the incoming Ukrainians in distress, affordable housing, Bulgarian language learning, and support in accessing education and employment opportunities. They also emphasized their quick adaptations to the increasing needs of the refugees due to the protracted war. Their active interventions have proved crucial for the adjustment of refugees in the face of multiple resettlement stressors. Ukrainian refugees also organized themselves and were a source of information, support, referrals, and solidarity. However, the key informants highlighted the lack of funding for social assistance, mental health services, and collaborative opportunities from the Bulgarian government and the international community.

Conclusion and Implications: This paper highlights the significant role of the civil society in social integration of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria through provision of aid, assistance, and services. It helps in developing an understanding of the experiences and challenges of service providers as it has wide implications for the rights and well-being of refugee populations they serve. It has strong implications for social workers engaged in policymaking and program implementation in context of war trauma, forced displacement, and resettlement of refugees displaced due to conflict. Dissemination of the findings to the Bulgarian government, US Embassy in Bulgaria, the EU, and the UN are crucial steps in advocacy for human rights and social justice for this population.