Public Opinion Research in Bulgaria

Contract

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Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 2.1 million refugees from Ukraine have entered Bulgaria. As of mid-December 2023, the Government of Bulgaria has granted Temporary Protection to more than 173,400 refugees fleeing Ukraine, with the majority being women and children. An estimated 52,000 Ukrainian refugees remain within the country as of mid-December 2023. Additionally, Bulgaria, as an external EU border, plays a strategic role in refugee protection within Europe.

In 2022, Bulgaria's State Agency for Refugees (SAR) registered over 20,400 asylum seekers, primarily from Syria and Afghanistan. As of the end of October 2023, more than 19,000 asylum applications have been received by SAR, surpassing the numbers for the same period last year. SAR operates six reception centers for the registration, Refugee Status Determination procedures, and accommodation of asylum seekers. Amid an increase in arrivals of Afghan and Syrian asylum seekers since 2022, UNHCR supports Bulgaria's Government to ensure policies and legislation align with international and EU standards. UNHCR promotes a comprehensive refugee response grounded in a multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society approach.

UNHCR supports government-led efforts to provide key protection, including legal assistance, information on services, education, and psychosocial support. This support extends to reception and accommodation, as well as the delivery of core relief items for winterization and cash assistance for the most vulnerable groups. UNHCR's priority protection interventions include access to territory and asylum procedures, inclusion of refugees in state-led programs, Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence response, support to persons with specific needs, and mitigation of risks related to trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation. UNHCR also assists refugees and asylum seekers with legal information and legal aid, a dedicated legal hotline, and other outreach mechanisms, along with communication through community channels.

In the context of UNHCR Bulgaria's commitment to fostering a comprehensive understanding of public sentiments surrounding forcibly displaced and stateless people, the organization recognizes the imperative of staying attuned to evolving attitudes and perceptions. Against the backdrop of global events, including since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the war in Ukraine since 2022, public opinions in Bulgaria continue to evolve. UNHCR Bulgaria aims to harness the insights derived from rigorous desk research of available publications within Bulgaria and internationally on refugees, asylum and migration, tolerance and solidarity, and disinformation and hate speech. This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough examination of public sentiments on critical issues.

The selected Online Volunteer will play a pivotal role in synthesizing and analyzing a myriad of public opinion data, contributing to UNHCR Bulgaria's efforts to shape more effective and targeted responses to the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing landscape of public opinion.

• Conducting thorough research to identify and compile public opinion surveys conducted in Bulgaria from reputable national research agencies and international entities. Ensuring that the selected surveys cover the period after the onset of the 2020 global pandemic and particularly since February 2022.
• Creating a detailed map of identified surveys, categorizing them based on source, date, and key themes. Extracting pertinent information related to public opinions on refugees, asylum, irregular migration, tolerance, solidarity, hate speech, discrimination, disinformation, and other pertinent themes.

• Generating a comprehensive research report that analyzes trends, patterns, and shifts in public opinion. Providing clear insights into the dynamics of public sentiment regarding refugees and related issues.

• Background in social sciences, research, or related field.

• Proficient in conducting desk research and analysis of public opinion surveys.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear and concise reports.
• Familiarity with refugee and humanitarian issues is an asset.