Dr. Alexander Gerganov, Director of the Sociological Program at the Centre for the Study of Democracy, took part in the 1st International Conference of the Danube Labour Market Policy Platform for Roma Inclusion, held on 16–17 October 2025 in Vienna. The event, hosted by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, brought together policymakers, EU institutions, practitioners, and experts from across the Danube Region to discuss labour market inclusion and the empowerment of Roma and other vulnerable groups.

In his presentation, Dr. Gerganov provided evidence and policy perspectives on the labour market integration of Roma in Bulgaria and the wider Danube Region, drawing on CSD’s long-standing research and policy engagement. He highlighted that existing interventions are hindered by fragmented policies, low institutional trust, and the limited use of data-driven programme design. To address these structural barriers, he argued for differentiated and data-based employment measures, Roma-led outreach and mediation, and the systematic integration of anti-discrimination safeguards into employment services. He also underscored the importance of regional learning and cooperation, building on CSD’s ongoing work to strengthen cooperative employment practices for empowering vulnerable youth in the region.