Open Society Institute – Sofia is a Bulgarian non-governmental organization operating for the public benefit, with over 35 years of experience in providing grant funding to support the civil sector in Bulgaria. Since its establishment in 1990, the Institute has advocated for the democratization of public and political life, worked to expand civil liberties and uphold fundamental human rights, and supported the strengthening of civil society institutions.

Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF) is a civil society organization registered for public benefit in 2001, as the successor of the Bulgaria program of the British organization Charity Know How. WCIF provides funding, technological resources, knowledge, and skills. The foundation supports civic leaders, groups, and organizations to work more effectively for their causes, target groups, and communities, thereby contributing to positive change and improving people’s quality of life. WCIF promotes philanthropic practices in Bulgaria as a driver for social change, working actively with both individual and corporate donors. Its donor programs focus on themes such as social transformation, education, culture, democracy, equality, non-discrimination, and more. In 2005, WCIF became the first organization in Bulgaria entrusted with managing a corporate fund. The foundation has funded over 2,500 civic initiatives with more than 20 million BGN, directly impacting the lives of over 1 million Bulgarian citizens. Currently, WCIF manages a number of donor funds, including “You and Lidl for a Better Life,” Pepcolandia, the “Valya Krushkina” Fund, and others.

European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) is an international non-profit organization with members across Europe (over 150 organizations and individuals) and more than 30 years of experience. ECAS’s mission is to empower citizens in order to build a more inclusive and stronger European Union by promoting and defending civil rights, and by creating and supporting mechanisms that enhance democratic participation and engagement of citizens and civil society organizations with the EU. In 2021, ECAS opened its first branch in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), located in Sofia. The CEE branch leverages ECAS’s expertise to carry out activities aimed at strengthening democracy and fostering an active and informed civil society in the region. Additionally, ECAS’s work contributes to raising awareness among EU institutions about the challenges and successful practices from the CEE region.