I met Angel Simeonov 5 years ago. At that time he was working as a psychologist in the local school of the Roma neighborhood “Asphalt Base” in Velingrad, where he has lived since birth. The neighborhood has existed since the 1950s and numbers about 280 houses, most of them illegal. There are no asphalted streets in many places in the neighborhood, and the water and sewage network does not reach all homes. Landscaping and social infrastructure are not even mentioned in the neighbourhood.
As a master’s student in clinical and applied psychology, Angel had achieved much personally and gained experience in the fields of education, social work, counseling, and psychotherapy, but had not yet developed the confidence to represent and advocate for the interests of his community. Thanks to the ROMACT programme (a joint programme of the European Commission and the Council of Europe to support mayors and municipal structures to work in collaboration with local Roma communities to develop policies and public services that are inclusive for all) Angel was open to the world and began to develop as a public citizen who is not afraid to speak out and defend everyone’s right to a better life.
Over the past year, this charismatic young man, who is now 31, has dedicated much of his time to improving the living conditions of the Roma in Velingrad. Angel is the founder and main driving figure of the Local Active Group, a non-governmental organization that brings the problems of the Roma community to various institutions in Velingrad municipality in search of their successful solution. In the last local elections in 2023, he was elected as a municipal councillor in Velingrad with the preferences of 336 voters. In the municipal council Angel defends the right of Roma children to receive equal access to kindergartens and schools. He has also fought to create opportunities for their families to buy municipal land at affordable prices, allowing them to regulate their homes.
In his efforts Angel receives support from the Trust for Social Alternative (TSA). In 2023, he was a TSA Fellow in the National Governance Skills Program of the Bulgarian School of Politics “Dimitry Panitza”. Members of the Local Active Group also received training on the “Urban Planning – Win-Win for All” model for Roma neighborhood regulation developed by TSA. It is aimed at increasing investment opportunities in Roma homes. Homeownership provides stability and leads to engaged communities as property owners have a vested interest in maintaining their neighborhoods. It can be sold, mortgaged or rented, making it a financial resource. The TCA model will also allow the municipality of Velingrad to improve the collection of taxes and fees in the neighbourhoods and to exercise more effective control over illegal construction.
Angel’s hope is that in the coming years the Roma neighborhoods in Velingrad will be no different from other neighborhoods in the municipality and will have asphalted streets and lighted sidewalks, green spaces and playgrounds.
Why am I telling Angel’s story? I’m Annie Rizova from the TSA team and I’ve been working with inspiring individuals like this talented young man for 20 years. For me, success is supporting people who need a helping hand. During my work at the Bulgarian Red Cross it was children from institutions, at the State Agency for Refugees it was people seeking protection, and Roma communities that I have met through my work at CARE International, ROMACT, TSA.
Angel inspires hope. He is the example that each of us needs to see and follow. Angel speaks softly, smiles gently, and continues his work even when faced with acts of disregard and belittling. My personal wish is that we meet more Angels along the way who give us the faith that no matter the deep problems in our society, there will always be like-minded people with whom to solve them.
