Bulgarian Diaspora in Ghent

Problem Description

The number of residents in Ghent with a Bulgarian migration background has increased significantly, now exceeding 11,000 people—a fourfold rise since 2008. This community is highly diverse, yet there is still limited understanding of their lived realities. Many recently arrived Bulgarians experience exclusion and racism, and face challenges related to housing, employment, social security, and social connection. In particular, the “gateway neighbourhoods” such as Rabot Blaisantvest and Sluizeken Tolhuis Ham show low levels of social participation and limited attachment to the neighbourhood.

The City of Ghent aims to pursue proactive policies and therefore launched the Tiftik neighbourhood improvement contract, active until the end of 2025 in these districts. The project focuses specifically on Bulgarian communities, with fieldworkers conducting street level and community based outreach to address their needs and questions. The Tiftik project has already generated valuable insights, which will be disseminated city wide in 2025 and integrated into the regular operations of municipal services and neighbourhood organisations.

Research Questions

The City of Ghent seeks to capture and structure the insights gathered through fieldwork and to deepen them through additional qualitative research. To achieve this, the city has enlisted the expertise of AP University College. The research focuses on two main components:

1. Mapping and visualising the (diversity within the) Bulgarian diaspora in Ghent, with attention to: 
   1. migration motivations
   2. geographical settlement patterns
   3. social networks and relationships
   4. needs and (support) questions
   5. economic activities
   6. leisure practices
   7. vulnerability
   8. connection to and perception of the neighbourhood
2. Identifying system level barriers and facilitators related to:
   1. social participation
   2. access to services and support
   3. intra-community and inter-community encounters
   4. community building
   5. neighbourhood attachment and belonging
   6. access to local organisations and initiatives

Based on the insights from the Tiftik project and the additional qualitative research, we will extract lessons learned and formulate concrete policy advice and practical, hands on recommendations.

Methodology

To answer the research questions, the project operates on micro, meso, and macro levels. Three interactive processes reinforce and influence one another:

• Macro Level
  We develop a CAIMeR model to uncover policy mechanisms and interventions that can inspire and inform proactive, preventive policymaking.
• Meso Level
  Using a stakeholder analysis, we map structures and forms of formal capital that shape neighbourhood dynamics and community building processes. This helps identify key actors to engage at the micro level.
• Micro Level
  We conduct interviews with Ghent residents of Bulgarian origin and/or key figures to gather insights into:
  • their migration profiles
  • experienced or informal social capital and networks
  • sense of community or belonging

Results and Dissemination

The final outcomes will be widely shared through:

• presentations to relevant city directors and aldermen
• a lunch lecture with municipal services
• a neighbourhood action team meeting in the two involved districts, together with local organisations
• a closing symposium with partners and stakeholders from inside and outside Ghent