Bulgaria

The Foundation is an author and organizer of several events, which won a place in the cultural calendar of our country and constantly improving world¬wide:
- “International Ethno-Jazz Festival “July Jazz Smolyan”, 5 editions by now;
- “Perelik - pure jazz” - acoustic concert on the second highest peak in the Rhodope Mountains (2188 m) - 3 editions;
- “Workshop for small “big” people” - children art camp, 3 editions (program Culture 2007-2013 at EU);
- program “KWAG/ Knowing, Wishing, Able, Giving” - with financing support of program “Youth in action - Action 1.1. Youth exchange”, participants from Italy, Spain, Poland, Turkey and Bulgaria;
Supports and participate a number of cultural events in the country and abroad:
- “Jazz Mix Culture” – in Program "Culture 2007-2013" on EU (Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany),
- “EVADES - Evaluation and development of European Standards for “Need analysis, Project design, Project implementation, IT usage and consultation “ – LLP on EU: “Leonardo da Vinci” – Program “Education & training”
- Assisting young people in their presents at home and abroad.

Active citizens - open local authority - 2009 Child care reform initiative, 2008 - 2009 Positive change promotion, 2007 – 2008 Improvement of the access to the labour market, 2007 Partners for sustainable local development, 2007 Let’s discuss and decide, 2006 Realization of the young people in a small municipality, 2005 – 2007 Partners in the civil society, 2005 – 2006 Knowledge on Europe, 2004 - 2005 Our School, My Energy project, 2004 WORKSHOP FOR HOPES, 2003 - 2004 MY JOB’S CHANCE, 2003 - 2004 If I can’t defend my rights, do that for me, 2003 The community is all of us, 2003 Our children – future decision-makers, 2002 Professional training for young people from the secondary schools, 2001 Chance for the young, 2000 - 2001 Approved by: the Citizen, 1999 Creating practices for effective cooperation between the NGOs and the local government in the Lovech municipality, 1998 Nonconflict Socialization and Professional Preparation – a Base for the Personality Realization from the Orphanages, 1997

Our main work is the problem of domestic violence:
- victims of domestic vilence of Municipality of Dupnitsa and its region - we provide psychological and legal advice to victims, taking lawsuits by the Law for protection against domestic violence, social mediation, telephone hotline, crisis accommodation center.
- representatives of interested institutions - representatives of Regional Police Department, the Court, the prosecutor’s office, departments “Child protection”, lawyers and the local authorities. The main goal of work with them is creating the network and guarantee fast and timely interference in cases of domestic violence.
- representatives of informal women’s groups. The main goal of work with this target group is prevention. On base of trainings we give them information about forms of domestic violence, psychological aspects of the victim and violator, where and how victims can seek help, what are the consequences for children which are eyewitness of violence, Bulgarian legislation.

Co-organiser of: Bulgarian-Dutch street festival – Sofia'00; Youth street "North - East Westival" – Den Helder'01; Literary performance in the program of Struga literary evenings – Struga'02; Bulgarian-Macedonian travelling performance "From door to door" – Sofia, Kurdjali, Strumica, Skopie'02; Bulgarian-Swiss colloborative action "Donkey festival" – Sofia, Plovdiv, Kurdjali'02; International multilateral action on ЕU Program YOUTH "Rhodopes – old space performing arts" with 5 countries-participants – Kurdjali, Duzhdovnitsa'03; International voluntary action, realized wit participants from 7 countries – Kurdjali, Duzhdovnitsa'04; International multilateral action on EU Program YOUTH “EU days of stone” with 4 countries-participants – Kurdjali, Duzhdovnitsa'05.
Leading organization of: a Cooperation project "European Cultural Youth House – Art Horizons", supported by the Swiss Cultural Programme Bulgaria Pro Helvetia/SDC"’05-08; a BG-Turkish project research "Artbridge – effective strategies for cross-border co-operation between youth groups and NGOs"’05-07; "Arthorizons" international pleinair’05-08, Multi-measure “Youth in action” EU project targeting rural youngsters activities’08-09; 27 published issues of Krug Literary magazine, 86 publications on art and culture.

Association Magna Silva has a mission to culture and art, with a priority to the fine arts, combining them with modern forms such as performances, musical events. Some of the organized exhibitions are collective, as a way to carry out a cultural dialogue and gather artists working with different means of expression - painting, sculpture, photography, conceptual arts. From 14.10.2022 to 30.04.2023, the Magna Silva Association implemented a PEACEFUL TERRITORY project, financed by the Ministry of Culture under contract No. RD 11-06-336, with the participation of female artists from Ukraine, dedicated to the Eternal Clash of Peace and War, of tolerance and violence. The event was widely covered in numerous national electronic print and social media. The objectives of the project were: - Stimulating the creative development of young authors, authors in the middle stage of professional development and unknown authors who have a civil position. - Encouraging the development, renewal and enrichment of cultural life in a sparsely populated and remote area from large urban centers by organizing and promoting cultural events. - Attracting new audiences living in an area far from large urban centers - Creation of works of art of various genres - Provoking audience perceptions through the multiplying impact of several arts – fine, performance art that blurs the line between performer and audience, and film that documents and preserves all these otherwise ephemeral events. - Provoking civil positions in artists and audiences, including through the art of young Ukrainian artists - an inside look at war as the antithesis of peace. - Development and strengthening of the association's capacity to organize cultural events and expand the scope of audiences. In connection with the set goals, a five-day art residency was held with the main theme: "Peaceful territory" with the participation of 6 Bulgarian and 3 foreign authors, including 2 Ukrainian artists. In 2023-2024, we are implementing the "Bridge through Time" project, funded by America for Bulgaria Foundation and aimed at involving teenagers in the history and cultural heritage of Plovdiv by organizing computer tests, historical games etc. We support refugees from Ukraine through the following initiatives: - We organize Bulgarian language courses - We work with children in the field of arts - Legal-administrative assistance - Adaptation activities in Bulgarian conditions - conducting mixed - theoretical and practical - activities, including history, ethnography, geography, peculiarities of the Bulgarian way of life and daily life, on-site visits to major institutions, significant cultural, educational, commercial and others sites in the region.

MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY:
Media Development Center works on national, regional and international level in the following areas:
1. Education and training for media professionals and journalism students in Bulgaria;
2. Professional training for journalists and media managers from Southeast Europe;
3. Training courses in language skills for media;
4. Support for the development of the free media market;
5. Development and implementing media projects in Bulgaria and abroad;
6. Research, consultancy and information services on media and for the media;
7. Publication of media-related books and training materials;
8. Media promoting events; conferences, round-tables, discussions
SELECTED PROJECTS:
1. 2007 – 2010 - Georgian Initiative for the Enhancement of Broadcast Training Activities (GIEBTA), funded by MATRA program of Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2. 2007 - Bulgaria Country Development Marketplace, funded by The World Bank
3. 2007 - Ringing The Bell – A National Awareness Raising Campaign on Social Inclusion, funded by European Commission
4. 2004 - 2005 - Technical Assistance for Improving the Professional Standards in the Bulgarian Journalism, funded by European Commission
5. 2003 - 2006 - Radio as a Mean of Improving the Informational and Educational Culture of the Bulgarian Society, funded by MATRA program of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
6. 2000 - 2006 - Support to media in South East Europe, funded by Government of Germany within the Stability Pact for South East Europe

Municipal Association of Small and Medium Sized Business is an experienced institution in terms of project implementation.One of the realted project of the institution is:
1.Project Title: Creation of a tourist cluster “Eastern Rhodopa mountain”
Reference Number : 915015080515
Explanations:
The project aimed at building a cluster of tourism as an institution for management of tourist destination in the Eastern Rhodopes, through active labor market services.
2. “Improving skills of producers towards stronger links” - Training on “Dairy Cattle Breeding” and “Forage Plant Cultivation” for 80 people in Bulgaria and Turkey. Developing of a common repository for best practices information in Bulgaria-Turkey CBR. Organization of an annual festival and networking event.
3. “Improved Agriculture Improved Social Links” - Training on “Grape Cultivation” and “Wine Production” for 80 people in Bulgaria and Turkey. Developing of a common repository for best practices information in Bulgaria-Turkey CBR. Organization of an annual vine harvesting festival and networking event.
4. “Cover history without boundary” - Training of 120 young people in Haskovo and 120 in Uzunkopru and capacity building initiatives
• Joint information and know how exchange on cross-border area’s natural resources protection, exchange of best practices and know-how in the sphere of revival and preservation of the cultural heritage, promotion of natural and cultural sites and their transformation into tourist sites.
• Establishment of information networks for culture and tourism messengers from Bulgaria and Turkey (website and a database of trainees)
• Cultural cooperation through development of joint Simultaneous Cultural Forums and Cultural Tourism Days
5. Project "Internet Business Informational System"