An international conference bringing together young people, experts, and organizations from 12 countries explored key themes related to digital citizenship, media literacy, and youth participation in public life. The event, organized by the Open Space Foundation, united participants from diverse cultural and social backgrounds to share experiences and good practices on how young people can become active and responsible digital citizens.

As part of the accompanying Expo, the HESED team presented the Window Youth project – an initiative aimed at developing media literacy and podcasting skills among young people from vulnerable communities. Visitors had the opportunity to explore the educational materials created within the project, designed to foster critical thinking and empower youth to create their own media content.

A special highlight at the HESED booth were the award-winning podcasts produced by young participants in the program. Guests were able to listen to their inspiring stories and reflections — authentic, creative, and deeply connected to the lived experiences of young people in their communities.

We express our sincere gratitude to the organizers from Open Space Foundation for the opportunity to present the outcomes of our project to other organizations working with young people, to share our educational resources with youth workers and volunteers, and to exchange ideas and inspiration with peer organizations dedicated to promoting digital citizenship.

Our young podcasters visited the European Parliament in Brussels – an experience they will remember for a lifetime!

 In the heart of Europe, they met young people from across the continent, took part in inspiring workshops, shared their ideas, dreams, and experiences, and immersed themselves in an atmosphere of creativity, solidarity, and youth activism.

Our representative, Lyubo Stoyanov, won an award at the international Castival in the Social Awareness category – recognition for his honesty, courage, and deep commitment to social issues.

 But the truth is that all of our young people are winners – because they learned the most important lesson: that their voice matters, and that they can speak not only for themselves, but also for their community and for their generation.

The podcasts they created are not just stories – they are sound windows to the world, through which young people share their perspectives, emotions, and truths.

As podcast legend Ira Glass once said:

“Great stories happen to those who can tell them.”

Today began with a children’s cry at the medical office of the MID Center Suhodolska, where from now we are conducting free medical tests for children aged 0 to 6 years from vulnerable families living in poor living conditions or in a situation of homelessness in the Fakulteta neighborhood. The activity is happening thanks to the SOLACE-CEE project.

The tests include indicators of key importance for monitoring the general health and nutritional status of children:

• Complete blood count (CBC)

• Iron binding capacity (IBC – an indicator of the amount of iron that the blood can carry, which most accurately characterizes the metabolism of the microelement in the body)

• Calcium (Ca) and Iron (Fe)

Blood sampling will continue in October. The results will be processed by a specialist, after which, if necessary, parents will receive individual support and treatment guidelines.

The initiative is proof that when social and health care go hand in hand, the complex needs of children from vulnerable families living in unsafe or inadequate homes do not go unanswered.

This publication is part of the SOLACE-CEE project, funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

On July 1st, 2025, the Youth Castival under the Window Youth project took place in the heart of Sofia – at the Largo, in front of the Regional History Museum. The event was held in an open exhibition area where citizens and visitors of the capital had the opportunity to witness and take part in this inspiring celebration.

The atmosphere was truly festive, as the most anticipated moment of the program was the awarding of the podcasts nominated to represent HESED and Bulgaria at the international Window Youth Festival in Brussels.

The authors of the five winning podcast episodes will receive a special prize – participation in the international Window Youth Festival in Brussels, Belgium, including a visit to the European Parliament.

The local Castival carried the slogan “Not only said, but heard”, reflecting the spirit of the Window Youth project. Under the glass dome of the Largo, the summer heat was intense – but the emotions were even stronger. The most powerful source of excitement for the young participants was the announcement of the best podcast awards.

The winners are:

Lyubo Stoyanov – “Different”

A powerful personal story about what it means to be different and to stand up for yourself in a conservative society that struggles to accept those who think differently.

Petya Dimitrova – “Thinking Beyond the Stereotype”

An emotional first-person narrative about the discrimination and stereotypes that people from the Roma community face at every stage of their lives.

Galya Asenova – “Between the Lines”

A heartfelt and intimate conversation between a mother and daughter on the topic of early marriages and how social norms in the community are changing.

Tsetzka Asenova – “At the Crossroads – Love and Traditions”

An interview with a woman who was forced to marry according to the Roma tradition of being “abducted” as a bride.

Lyuboslava Tosheva – “Youthfun, Ep. 2”

An engaging discussion between fathers and daughters exploring the differences between generations.

 Congratulations to the winners!

 We wish them continued success and many more inspiring podcasts in the future.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all members of the jury for their time, dedication, and professionalism in evaluating podcasts.

ShowUp4Health is one of the key projects in recent months, thanks to which our team “revives” in its activities the health promotion for people most in need. With the preparation of a methodology for prevention of non-communicable diseases, the topic becomes pinpoint of the outreach workers.

During the regular annual meeting of professionals and paraprofessionals from several social services from Sofia, Samokov and Kyustendil, the focus was on a healthy lifestyle, early detection of possible deviations and their timely correction. Dr. Elena Kabakchieva attracted the attention of all over 70 attending specialists with the topic “5 by 8 every day”:

1. The 8 most important rules for healthy nutrition:
   • the secret is in the balanced plate;
   • quality instead of quantity;
   • sugar kills us;
   • salt is vital, but should be limited;
   • “One who doesn’t eat vegetables – Will not grow big”;
   • fruits should be berries;
   • more fish and proteins;
   • good fats are not our enemy:)
2. 8000 steps for tone and strength
3. 8 glasses of water for hydration and vitality
4. 8 hours of sleep for recovery and concentration
5. 8 hugs for immunity and good mood

Very interesting for everyone was the practical workshop for proper blood pressure measurement. The colleagues measured each other’s blood pressure, corrected and taught how to apply their skills later in the field!

Finally, each team was tasked with developing their own plan to improve their healthy habits at work, as well as at home with their families. And at the next annual meeting, the teams have “homework” to tell what they have achieved from their plan and demonstrate how in practice works “ShowUp4Health”.

This publication is part of ShowUp4Health project. The content represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.

For three months, young people from Sofia, Samokov, and Kyustendil created their own podcasts in our Podcast Laboratories. Now it’s time to listen to their creative work and select the best among them!

We are pleased to introduce the jury, entrusted with the important task of evaluating the podcasts:

Professional Jury

• Ms. Boryana Djambazova – journalist, public figure, and youth activist with a strong commitment to human rights, media literacy, and social justice;
• Mr. Yordan Yordanov – representative of Pension Assurance Company “Doverie”, communications expert with a vision for socially engaged campaigns;
• Ms. Desislava Ivanova – expert at Kyustendil Municipality, specialist in social work and support for vulnerable groups;

Youth Activists

• Ms. Yuliyana Vasileva – youth activist and member of the European Youth Parliament;
• Mr. Dimcho Bankov – youth activist and active member of the community;
• Ms. Sofia Kaytazka – representative of the Association for the Development of Sofia, youth activist with expertise in youth policies.

You can find the evaluation guidelines here: регламент

On June 12th this year, our team working on the SOLACE-CEE project, which aims to improve access to health and social services for people experiencing homelessness in Central and Eastern Europe, participated in an introductory training session in the village of Markovo (Plovdiv region).

During the training, participants were introduced to the main activities of the project, including the provision of health consultations, assistance from a doctor and a nurse, as well as psychological support. The integrated approach of multidisciplinary teams – consisting of medical professionals, social workers, and psychologists – was also discussed.

The training included casework and practical examples on how to effectively provide support by identifying opportunities to improve housing conditions, facilitating access to social benefits, and building trust with people who often remain outside the healthcare and social support systems.

The SOLACE-CEE project aims to develop a sustainable model of comprehensive care, in which health services are inextricably linked to support for social integration. Through the active participation of the team and partner organizations, the foundation is laid for a more humane and accessible support system for vulnerable groups.

This publication is part of the SOLACE-CEE project, funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The Window Youth project inspired many young people from Sofia, Samokov, and Kyustendil to step up to the microphone and speak about the issues that matter to them. We heard stories and reflections about the traditions within the Roma community and the new perspectives of the younger generation; about discrimination, the connection between generations, and the role of religion in their lives.

The call for a healthy lifestyle resonated strongly – a life free from addictions, tobacco smoke, and drugs, and open to the opportunities offered by active sports and positive peer communication.

 We also heard powerful stories that stood up against violence toward women and against the rejection of people who do not conform to the traditional norms of the community.

Young people showed that they think, feel, react, and have opinions and voices of their own.
Beyond their sensitivity to life within their communities, they are also in tune with the global trends shaping modern life – the integration of artificial intelligence into daily routines and education, a growing interest in green policies and the urban environment, and the search for their place in democratic processes and political discourse.

We would like to thank all the young participants who accepted our invitation to take part in this project – above all, because they opened a window into their world and lent their voices to the cause of youth activism.

Each of these young podcasters is an inspiration to their peers, using the podcasting platform to reach out to them and to show that change begins with a voice.

On April 15, around 200 Roma lost their only homes when the illegal structures they had lived in for decades in the capital’s Zaharna fabrika neighbourhood were demolished on the orders of the Ilinden district mayor Emil Branchevski. A series of protests by the people who remained on the streets followed. The Strasbourg court ordered Bulgaria to find them shelter.

The European Court of Human Rights has already twice ordered alternative accommodation for the remaining homeless. The court’s order was issued before the houses were demolished and prohibited the authorities from resorting to such measures if they had not provided housing. Nevertheless, the excavators demolished them.
The European Court of Human Rights then ordered the state to offer the victims adequate alternative accommodation until further notice, which was to happen by May 5.
Health and Social Development Foundation actively works in supporting families since April 22. Social workers and community partners are working in the field. We assisted in the accommodation of two families in the St. Sophia Temporary Accommodation Center and provided food packages for those in need. The homeless people were examined and prescribed medications by our medical team working on the SOLACE-CEE project, Dr. Nikolay Ivanov and nurse Elena Georgieva.

On April 24, we participated in a meeting with Ms. Nadezhda Bacheva, Deputy Mayor of Sofia Municipality, Minka Yovcheva, Director of the Social Services for Children and Adults Directorate, and representatives of the Concordia Foundation, to discuss how to respond to this crisis situation. We distributed our tasks and returned to the field.
On April 29, at the initiative of the Sofia Municipality, a broad meeting was held with representatives of ministries, the Parliament, non-governmental organizations and representatives of the people who were left without a roof over their heads. At the meeting, deputies from different parties committed to finding a solution for long-term accommodation. Representatives of the Ministry of Justice handed the mayor of the Ilinden district a second decision of the ECHR for urgent interim measures.
The meetings of the crisis headquarters at the Sofia Municipality continue in May in search of a solution.

This publication is part of the SOLACE-CEE project, funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

At the end of February, the team of the Health and Social Development Foundation began outreach work within the neighbourhood to identify families in a situation of homelessness, which were included in the needs assessment under the SOLACE-CEE project.

In March, the project partners launched a needs assessment in six languages ​​(Bulgarian, English, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian and Slovak) among the current and potential clients of the organizations participating in the project. The author of the questionnaires is the Metropolitan Research Institute (MRI).

Our organization identified 40 families in a situation of homelessness from the Fakulteta neighbourhood in Sofia, with whom we are conducting interviews for a needs assessment.

The topics covered by the questionnaires include demographic issues, housing conditions, employment, health status, health literacy, traumatic life events and attitudes towards telemedicine. The study is currently ongoing and we expect to finish it by the end of April. By then, all client questionnaires will be completed and recorded online.

In parallel, we are holding discussions with other organizations from the non-governmental sector within the professional network to identify the necessary steps to establish integrated service coordination and to form advocacy goals.

This publication is part of the SOLACE-CEE project, funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.