Social policy
News on social assistance, pensions, employment, income, welfare programs, and protection of vulnerable groups.
Foundations are opening doors for partnership initiatives under the PACT project.
The Foundation "Workshop for Civic Initiatives" (FWCI) and the Open Society Institute - Sofia Foundation (OSIS) are organizing partnership meetings and consultations to support organizations wishing to apply for the "Partnership" fund of the PACT project. The meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss ideas, approaches and potential partnerships, as well as to ask questions to the project team.
Burgas social garden awarded for innovation and professionalism
The social garden "Grizhiovalnik" in Burgas was awarded a prize from the National Association for Social Responsibility for successful leadership, innovation and professionalism in providing full-time care for elderly people with dementia. The event brought together over 200 representatives from the social sphere, including state institutions, municipalities, service providers and service users.
The Program for one-time assistance for students in primary and secondary education in Sozopol and Primorsko has been launched.
The Directorate of Social Assistance in Sozopol announces the acceptance of applications for one-time benefits in the amount of 300 leva for students enrolled in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8. The assistance is granted regardless of the families' income and is paid in two installments.
Diversity and integration: National conference on minorities and challenges facing the international system
The national conference with international participation, focused on the situation of minorities and minority groups within the global system, will be held on June 18 and 19. The event will take place at the Institute for Historical Studies in Sofia and will address the challenges of minority integration and adaptation.
A new program against youth violence has been launched in schools in the capital.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Science are introducing an innovative national program "Violence is Powerlessness", which will be implemented in pilot capital schools from the 2025-2026 academic year. The program aims to train 8th and 9th grade students to recognize and respond to domestic violence and abusive behavior, while developing self-respect and skills for coping with traumatic experiences.
The director of the NHIF (National Health Insurance Fund) ordered urgent checks for possible siphoning of funds in illegal homes.
Assoc. Prof. Petko Stefanovski, manager of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), ordered comprehensive checks to establish any possible draining of funds from the NHIF budget in the revealed illegal homes for the elderly in different regions of the country. The NHIF management is working in close cooperation with the Executive Agency "Medical Supervision" on the case.
The Municipality of Nessebar Develops an Annual Plan for Social Services, Focusing on the Needs of Vulnerable Groups
The Municipality of Nesebar is actively working on the development of the Municipal Annual Plan for Social Services for 2026. The plan is prepared in accordance with legal requirements and includes social services financed by the state and municipal budgets. The process involves a wide range of stakeholders, with the Council on Social Services playing a key role in analyzing needs and evaluating the effectiveness of the services provided.
Shocking conditions revealed for elderly people in illegal nursing homes in Stara Zagora
State officials have evacuated over 70 elderly people from two illegal facilities in the village of Yagoda, Stara Zagora region, where appalling conditions were discovered. The elderly were held against their will, drugged, and deprived of personal documents and phones, paying 1,000 leva monthly for their accommodation. Five people connected to the case have been detained, and pre-trial proceedings are underway in the prosecutor's office.
The pension system in Bulgaria - Key data and trends
The statistical data as of May 2025 reveal the complex picture of the pension insurance in Bulgaria. Although 86,218 pensioners receive a basic pension over 2,000 BGN, more than half - 1,211,055 people, still receive no more than 700 BGN. An analysis of the revenues, expenditures, and deficit in the pension system provides an in-depth look at the challenges facing the country.
Updated Support Program for Ukrainians with Temporary Protection Comes into Effect in Bulgaria
As of May 1, 2025, Bulgaria is implementing a renewed humanitarian program focused on long-term support and integration of Ukrainians under temporary protection.