Optimism for Bulgaria

The Trust for Social Achievement’s efforts to formalize informal settlements around the country transform lives, offering residents access to basic services and legal recognition — a crucial step toward normalcy and security.

Weill Cornell Medicine’s Dr. Snezana Nena Osorio (second right) champions family-centered care, which enhances patient outcomes by integrating families into care. Dr. Osorio visited Bulgaria at ABF’s invitation.

Zdravka Evtimova’s short stories and novels have been published in more than 30 countries, are taught in schools in Europe and North America, and have received numerous national and international awards.

Angela has spent two decades conveying to English speakers the inverted structures, playful rhymes, and other idiosyncrasies of modern Bulgarian and acquainting the West with the country’s legacy.

Both Lena Parova and Dora Rusinova have spent more than 30 years in the educational system, most of which as school principals.

Venelina Popova is an invaluable independent voice in Bulgarian journalism. To seek truth tirelessly, to speak it to any power, and to never back down before the strong of the day — these convictions help her remain independent amid attempts to influence and silence her, she says.

Radostina has over 20 years of experience in the civil society sector, where she has mobilized resources and engaged in policymaking and advocacy for equal opportunities for vulnerable communities. For ten years now, Radostina has been a member of the Bulgaria team of the Arete Youth Foundation.

To many of us, an organization called Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives (BILI) probably bears no relevance to our lives and has nothing to do with our real problems and small daily battles. Bilyana Gyaurova-Wegertseder, BILI’s director and co-founder, proves that the opposite is true.

“Change can only be achieved by an active community that does not wait for someone else to take responsibility for its future.”