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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.

On December 5-6, 2024, the team’s first meeting that will develop integrated innovative health and social care for people living in a situation of homelessness was held in Budapest.

According to ETHOS European Typology of Homelessness and Housing Exclusion, people living in temporary/unconventional structures, in unsuitable housing, and/or in extreme overcrowding can also be classified as homeless.

As a partner in the SOLACE-CEE project, the Health and Social Development Foundation participates in the group for the development of innovative health and social care for homeless people, which aims to improve access to services, overcome fragmentation in the provision of care, improve the quality and profitability of services oriented towards people living in a situation of homelessness.

During the meeting, the main approaches to which the services will be planned were presented, namely:

1. Health Care for the Homeless is an integrated health and social care program developed in the United States, recognized as the most successful program in responding to the complex needs of people experiencing homelessness.
2. Housing First, is a program widely recognized as an example of providing comprehensive and integrated health and social, including residential services to people experiencing homelessness.
3. Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a method that actively integrates trauma survivors’ perspectives into all interventions aimed at them.

Extremely useful and inspiring was the presentation of the telemedicine model applied by the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta and the stories presented by medical professionals, doctors, and social workers who provide telemedicine services for people experiencing homelessness and elderly people, as well as the personal meeting with a client of the program, presented by our Hungarian hosts.

Over the next three years, we will integrate the successful experience of the partners in the SOLACE-CEE project and will actively work to expand our services in the direction of improving access to quality medical care for the most vulnerable families in the district “Fakulteta”, Sofia.

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.

We are glad to share some further successes of ACTIon, an Erasmus+ project, with our participation, that finalised its work in January 2024.

ACTIon’s project partner team from five European countries participated in a digital focus group organised by the RAY DIGI research project and contributed with expertise and learnings from three years (digital) youth participation and trainings on topics of digital competence, media and health literacy and civic education in Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia and Germany. The final report Exploring Successful Approaches to Digital Youth Work has been now published, along with an executive summary.

Alongside the approach of ACTIon project “Promoting active citizenship through civic education and active online participation of youth role models” has been selected as a Good Practice example and published in the report: Empowering Participation in Democratic Life through Media and Information Literacy and Digital Participation von SALTO Participation & Information (SALTO PI), a resource centre of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.

For further reading on building competence for democratic participation: Digital Interactive Spaces: Digitally Transforming Education and Participation.

At the launch of the SOLACE-CEE project, Emilia Mikova – Project Coordinator at Health and Social Development Foundation and director of MIR-Suhodolska Center in Fakulteta neighbourhood – gave an interview to the program “Horizont do obed” on the Bulgarian National Radio. She briefly explained what the project aims to achieve and what the activities will be.

In her words, SOLACE-CEE is a unique project because it does not only provide activities to support people experiencing homelessness, but also aims to design integrated services for the health and social inclusion of these people.

“Providing housing is complex, as it concerns not only the work of the project, but also local and national policies.

And because the needs of people in a situation of homelessness are different in the different countries participating in the project, each of the partners should develop a model for needs assessment of these people,” explained Mikova.

“We at Health and Social Development Foundation have focused our attention on people who have a home, but it is insecure and/or inadequate according to the European typology of homelessness and housing exclusion.

These are people living in extreme poverty and isolation, in temporary structures that they have built themselves.

Most often, these are unsafe or illegally built homes, whose residents are under threat of eviction, or cases in which large families live in one room. Society has a negative attitude towards these people because it believes that they put themselves in such a life situation because it is easier for them. But the truth is that this is not the case. This concerns other processes that are related to the circle of intergenerational poverty, which is passed down from generation to generation,” commented the project coordinator.

“Providing a home itself does not solve the problems faced by people in a situation of homelessness in Bulgaria. For example, a large part of them do not have an address,

but after recent legislative changes they have received the opportunity to register administrative housing address, which will greatly facilitate both them and the work of social workers,” Mikova pointed out. There are accommodation centers, but they are temporary. People who are accommodated in them can stay there for 3 to 6 months, and this municipal housing service is too small compared to the needs. I assume that after the opportunity to register at administrative housing address is given, the number of the people registered would increase, which will clarify what the needs are. This greatly limits these people’s access to work, school, social and health services. Often the only health care they receive is to call an ambulance in extremely urgent situations, since they cannot use absolutely anything else, they cannot even be registered at General Practitioner, despite the fact that by law, uninsured persons have the right to a personal doctor”, noted Emilia Mikova.

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.