Social policy
News on social assistance, pensions, employment, income, welfare programs, and protection of vulnerable groups.
Accessible Assistive Devices for People with Disabilities: New Online Lists
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy published current lists of approved candidates for high-tech assistive devices, providing full information about the candidates and suppliers.
Football tournament "Healthy Together" united refugees, students, and representatives of international organizations.
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the State Agency for Refugees organized a mini-football tournament that brought together refugees, students, and representatives of international organizations. The event was accompanied by greetings and messages highlighting the role of sports for integration, trust, and psychosocial support.
International organizations are uniting efforts to improve healthcare for Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria.
The Ministry of Health in Bulgaria is partnering with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) within the framework of the European program "EU4Health". The goal is to provide better access to health services for Ukrainian refugees residing in the country, through the training of mediators, the creation of communication networks, and special programs for immunization and prevention.
Over 205,000 Ukrainian refugees still under temporary protection in Bulgaria
According to the latest UNHCR report, from the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022 until June 2025, over 205,000 people have been registered and received temporary protection in Bulgaria. The agency emphasizes the need to expand integration programs, especially in smaller municipalities, and to prioritize attention to women and children.
Expansion of UNHCR support for Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is scaling up its assistance to over 100,000 Ukrainian citizens who have found refuge in Bulgaria. Through collaboration with state and civil society partners, UNHCR is establishing a network of "Compass Centers" in key cities, focused on integrating refugees in the areas of education, employment, healthcare, and legal affairs.
Improvement in the asylum system in Bulgaria - reduction of missing refugees
The data shows a significant decrease in the number of refugees who discontinue the asylum procedure in Bulgaria, from 48% in 2023 to 39% in 2024. This is due to improved procedures, quality measures, and the limitation of abuses in the system.
The Agency for Social Assistance is taking active measures to protect the rights of the elderly.
The Agency for Social Assistance (ASA) makes targeted efforts to support the elderly people accommodated in unlicensed facilities, in close cooperation with the responsible institutions. ASA provides information, consultations, and referrals to appropriate social services, in order to protect the rights and individual needs of every person.
The Deputy Prime Minister calls for early cybersecurity training in schools
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov emphasizes the need to integrate the topic of cybersecurity into the education system, starting from an early age. He expresses concern for the safety of children in the digital space and calls for more young people to be attracted to the profession of cybersecurity specialist.
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.