Representatives of civil society organizations and community centers are invited to join the information days planned for April and May to learn more about the opportunities and requirements for applying under the “Partnership” fund call, part of Project PACT: Partnership among CSOs for making an impact on rights and values.
Participants will receive detailed information on the proposal requirements for initiatives, as well as opportunities for building partnerships during the application preparation process. A workshop covering various aspects of EU rights and values will also be held.
The information days will take place on: April 28 in Veliko Tarnovo, April 29 in Varna, April 30 in Burgas, May 20 in Plovdiv, May 22 in Pleven and May 29 in Sofia.
To participate in the information days, please register here!
The agenda for the information days in Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv, and Pleven is available here.
The agenda for the information day in Sofia, which also includes a partnership-building session, can be found here.
Schedule
Participants in the Information Days:
Speakers
Georgi Stoychev, Executive Director of the Open Society Institute – Sofia (OSIS)
Georgi Stoychev has over 30 years of professional experience as a journalist and manager of NGOs and media. Since 2005, he has been the Executive Director of OSIS. Previously, he worked as director and editor at the Bulgarian branch of Radio ‘Free Europe’ in Prague. His career began in 1992 as a news editor and anchor at the Bulgarian National Television. He holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” Since 2010, he has led the team behind the Bulgarian University Ranking System. Since 2012, he has been the manager of the Civil Society Support Fund operator under the EEA Financial Mechanism in Bulgaria. He is Chair of the Executive Boards of the “Rights and Values” and “PACT” projects, implemented under the EU’s CERV program.
Veliko Sherbanov, Finance Director (OSIS), Financial Manager of Project PACT
Veliko Sherbanov has over 30 years of experience as a financial manager, including the NGO Programme in Bulgaria (FM 2009–2014), the Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria (FM 2014–2021), and all grant programs run by OSIS over the past 30 years.
Desislava Velkova, Senior Legal Expert (OSIS), Manager of Project PACT
With over 20 years of experience in the NGO sector and more than 10 years of managing programs and projects that provide funding to civil society organizations, including the Civil Society Support Fund under the EEA Financial Mechanism. Manager of both the “Rights and Values” project and Project PACT, implemented under the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme.
Desislava Ivanova, Program Director for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) at ECAS
She manages the ECAS branch in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), whose work focuses on implementing initiatives that promote EU values (including the “Rights and Values” and “PACT” projects), combating disinformation, and empowering civil society through capacity building in the region. Desislava has extensive experience as a diplomat in Bulgaria and within UN structures, as well as solid expertise in legal research and analysis, interinstitutional negotiations, strategic advocacy, building lasting relationships with civil society at both European and national levels, and planning and implementing communication campaigns.
Maria Stefanova, Project Coordinator for Central and Eastern Europe
Maria supports the implementation of ECAS’ activities in the CEE region. She has over ten years of experience managing projects and programs in the field of international development, with a focus on civic engagement, civil society strengthening, education, and sustainable development in Bulgaria, the UK, other EU countries, and Southeast Asia.
Facilitators
Iliyana Nikolova, Executive Director, Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF)
Iliyana has been involved with WCIF since its inception, working on the Charity Know How Program for Bulgaria. She holds a master’s degree in History from Sofia University and a diploma in Political Management from New Bulgarian University. Actively engaged in the civil society sector since 1997, she has deep knowledge of civil society organizations in Central and Eastern Europe and has worked with the UK-based organization Allavida in Romania. She has managed over 20 funding programs supported by both public and private donors through her work at WCIF. Iliyana is an Ambassador of the European Pillar of Social Rights and of the European Citizens’ Initiative. Since 2012, she has been actively involved in the management of the NGO Programme and later of the Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria under the EEA Financial Mechanism, representing WCIF as part of the Fund Operator consortium. She is a member of the Executive Boards of both the “Rights and Values” project and Project PACT: Partnership among CSOs for making an impact on rights and values, implemented under the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme.
Monika Pisankaneva, Program Director, WCIF; Training Manager for Project PACT
Monika joined WCIF in 2009 as a project manager and currently serves as Program Director. She manages several of the foundation’s transnational operational projects, develops analytical research reports, conducts training sessions, ensures quality control, and prepares reports. Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in Philosophy (Sofia University, 1992), a certificate in Comparative European Social Studies (University of Amsterdam, 1998), and a Master’s in Philanthropy (University of Bologna, 2007). She was a research fellow at the City University of New York in 2009. Before joining WCIF, she worked with international organizations running long-term programs to support the development of civil society in Bulgaria.
Valeri Pandzharov, Project Manager, WCIF; Fund Manager of “Code: Success” under Project PACT
Valeri has over 25 years of experience in several Bulgarian and international NGOs, particularly in grant scheme management, project development and implementation to support disadvantaged groups, and participation in policy dialogue with public institutions and stakeholders. He has been part of WCIF since 2014. He manages the “Together” Fund under the “Rights and Values” project, and the “Code: Success” Fund under Project PACT: Partnership among CSOs for making an impact on rights and values, both implemented within the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme. He is also responsible for thematic projects managed by WCIF under the Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria. Valeri holds Master’s degrees in Philosophy and Political Science.
