Annual Report on Its Activity

OOpenpen SSocietyociety FFoundationoundation SSofiaofia ÿíóàðè 2004 IInitiatives SSupported n PProjects u AAnnual i r p RReport t o i p 22003 a j o e t r i c n v t t e e e s d s 0 SOFIA FOUNDATION SOCIETY

S n

F S O O OPEN I 0 O U A P C o N E u I N E D T A Y T 3 r I a O N t l

MMISSION TTo promote, o

I p ppractices aattitudes BBulgaria S r r t ddevelop ssustain u vvalues, t ssociety S o a u e i a o l m c t I v g s oopen l c u t hhelp e O u t a aand aand i p o i d tthe tthe a l c e e r e n n t e h h o

i iin e e l t oof i

e s

n n n p d d p

a y e e

s s

f ,

OOPENPEN SSOCIETYOCIETY FFOUNDATIONOUNDATION – SOFIASOFIA 22003003

FFounderounder George Soros

BBoardoard ooff TTrusteesrustees

Stefan Popov CChairmanhairman

Haralan Alexandrov Rumiana Chervenkova Marin Deltchev Yonko Grozev Petia Kabakchieva Georgi Koritarov Vesselin Metodiev Svetlana Vassileva

OOmbudsmanmbudsman Prolet Velkova

EExecutivexecutive DirectorDirector Rayna Gavrilova

FFinancialinancial DDirectorirector Veliko Sherbanov

PProgramrogram DDirectorsirectors Ivanka Ivanova Assya Kavrakova Neda Kristanova Cveta Petkova Kalin Tsekov Elena Zlatanova

MMISSIONISSION To promote, help develop and sustain the values, attitudes and practices of the open society in Bulgaria

SSTRATEGICTRATEGIC GGOALOAL To support Bulgaria’s accession to United Europe by broadening the integration process into the whole public domain

TThehe OpenOpen SSocietyociety FoundationFoundation – SSofiaofia iiss rregisteredegistered aass a ppublicublic bbenefitenefit oorganization.rganization. AANNUALNNUAL RREPORTEPORT 22003003

OOPENPEN SSOCIETYOCIETY FFOUNDATIONOUNDATION SSOFIAOFIA

Contents

2003: Opportunities and Challenges of the New Model...... 2

Financial Profile of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia in 2003...... 3

Public Debate Program ...... 8

European Integration and Regional Stability Program...... 13

East–East Network Program...... 17

Legal Program...... 21

Local Government Reform Program ...... 27

Civil Society Program ...... 36

National Network of Partner Organizations ...... 40

Roma Program ...... 42

Education Program...... 47

International Education Programs...... 59

Public Health Program...... 63

Women’s Program...... 72

Culture Program...... 73

Economic Reform Program ...... 74

Appendix: Auditor’s Report and Annual Financial Statements...... 75 2003: Opportunities and Challenges of the New Model

In the fall of 2003, the Open Society Foundation – Sofia elaborated and adopted a strategic plan for transforming the Foundation from a grant-making organization into a public policy institution. The strategy was successfully defended before OSI – New York because the transformation had actually began and the paper reflected the opportunities and challenges of the new model. The change in the Foundation’s profile is expected to happen in 2004-2006, but already in 2003 OSF-Sofia actually operated along two models: of a grant-making organization and of an operative institution. Grant-making involved announcing calls for project proposals but also supporting individual unsolicited projects. Project competitions, however, gradually shifted away from the traditional model, in which the Foundation announced a topic and evaluated a broad range of project proposals, more or less related to the theme. We adopted the approach of organizing project competitions with clearly formulated policy objectives and expected results (Equal Participation of People with Disabilities in Public Life Competition, for instance). In many cases they involve comprehensive final evaluation of all supported projects, follow-up meetings with project participants, network creation (as was the case with the Roma Community Centers Project), and/or development of new projects aimed at encouraging legislative changes or undertaking other “political” steps (Establishing an NGO network for introducing alternatives to the penalty of confinement project). At the same time the Foundation broadened the practice of announcing targeted competitions, which involve soliciting proposals from selected organizations with a proven track record and special expertise in a given field. These competitions helped identify a circle of organizations, which could potentially become strategic partners of the Open Society Foundation. The operative model involves a proactive approach to the challenges of Bulgaria’s social development and is expected to become a leading principle in OSF’s operation. This approach is manifested in projects, initiated and developed by the Foundation’s team and targeted to achieving OSF’s strategic goals. Projects are implemented by the Foundation’s program team, sometimes with the assistance of external experts, or in partnership with other organizations. A typical example for such operative projects are the Civil Convention for Amendments to the Bulgarian Constitution, the Public Administration Training Project, the Fiscal Decentralization Research and Analysis Project, etc. The combination of the two models of operation represents a serious challenge for the Foundation, because it requires experience and capacity in both grant-making and operative programming. In this sense, the contribution of the broad range of permanent and provisional experts, which the Foundation has, is essential. They bring in not only the expertise of the non-governmental sector, but also the knowledge and capacity of state administration, academic circles and international networks.

Rayna Gavrilova Executive Director

2 Financial Profile of the Open Society Foundation — Sofia in 2003

1. Income from the main donor, the international Open Society Institute In 2003 the recognized contribution income amounted to 5.6 million US dollars.

8000

4000 7358 6019 5578

0 2001 2002 2003

The reduction of this amount, compared to the year 2002, follows the overall strategy of the Foundation and has resulted from both the decrease of OSF – Sofia’s budget from 4.5 to 4 million US dollars and the cutback of 400 thousand US dollars in some Soros Network Programs.

2. Income from other donors In 2003, in pursuit of its strategy to extend funding sources, the Open Society Foundation – Sofia increased the amount of funding attracted under agreements with other donors by nearly five times, compared to the 2002 figure. Contribution Income from other donors (in thousands US dollars)

1000 800

600 840 400 200 121 180 0 2001 2002 2003

Note: As the Foundation’s accounting policy requires, financial reports indicate only the amount of funding actually received by the end of the fiscal year. The third party grants contracted in 2003 and transferred in 2004 amount to 500 thousand US dollars and will be reflected in the 2004 financial report. Moreover, the present report does not include 170 thousand US dollars raised by various consortia, lead by the Open Society Foundation – Sofia.

List of donors and programs that have financed the activity of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia in 2003

Donor/Program Project Grant Note King Baudouin Grant transferred Ethnic Minorities € 68,000 Foundation – Belgium in 2003 European Union

Programs OSF-led Improving the Access of Consortium, PHARE Program € 301,000 Minorities to Public Health Grant transferred in 2004 PHARE –Raxen Racism and Xenophobia Grant transferred € 21,810 Program Monitoring in 2003/2004 Establishing Public Health Partnerships in Europe, in Grant transferred Public Health Program € 64,000 partnership with the European in 2004 Public Health Alliance Canadian International Grant transferred Development Agency Community Policing $ 66,000 in 2004 (CIDA) Communication Analyses, Opinion Polls, and Strategy for Bulgaria’s Press Monitoring on Issues BGN 140,000 OSF-led Coalition Accession to the Related to Bulgaria’s European Union Accession to the EU EU Closer: Creating and Maintaining an Information BGN 117,000 OSF-led Coalition and Communication Network NGO Participation and Ministry of Foreign Grant transferred Transparency of Bulgaria’s BGN 100,000 Affairs in 2003 Accession to NATO Central European Grant transferred Projects in Higher Education $ 11,854 University and others in 2003 Grant transferred Other donors $ 6,974 in 2003

In the process of developing and implementing various projects, the Open Society Foundation – Sofia organized coalitions involving a national network of more than 20 organizations, the National Open Society Information and Advisory Network of 13 information centers, as well as non-governmental organizations with a proven track record. The total amount of contribution income for 2003 equals 5.7 million US dollars.

4 3. Expenses In 2003 program expenses amounted to 5.2 million US dollars, which according to the International Accounting Standards and the Foundation’s accounting policy include grants contracted in 2002 and due in 2003 (totaling 2.7 million US dollars as of December 31, 2003). In 2002 program expenses amounted to 6.4 million US dollars. Spending on program activities was distributed among the following program areas: Program Expenses in 2003 (in thousands US dollars) Program Area 2003 Share (in %) 2002 Public Debate 662 12.6% 567 European Integration and Regional Stability 179 3.4% 343 Legal Program 652 12.5% 862 Public Administration 823 15.7% 620 Civil Society Development 219 4.2% 242 Open Society Partners Network in Bulgaria 76 1.5% 72 Roma 222 4.2% 316 Education and Youth 711 13.6% 860 Public Health 319 6.1% 492 Women’s Program 224 4.3% 106 Information and Media 195 3.7% 193 Cultural Policies and Debate 34 0.6% 592 East–East 67 1.3% 50 Microcrediting and Re-socialization 812 15.5% 880 Others 41 0.8% 179 Total 5,236 100.0% 6,374

With these funds the Open Society Foundation – Sofia financed 472 projects, compared to 537 projects in 2002 and 750 in 2001. Out of the total number of supported projects, 388 are projects developed and implemented by external organizations and teams, while 84 projects are administered by the Open Society Foundation – Sofia in partnership with other NGOs. The number of OSF-initiated operative projects and partnership projects, components of which are assigned to other organizations, is growing following the Foundation’s Development Strategy. The total number of supported projects decreases, reflecting a shift towards more significant and large-scale initiatives. Under Soros international Network Programs, the Foundation has supported 76 Bulgarian participants in East–East Program seminars, 32 participants in Salzburg Seminars and other network training sessions, and 56 scholarship students at the Central European University and at universities in the United Kingdom. The OSF Education Program has provided 120 scholarships to minority students, studying in Bulgarian universities. The administrative expenses of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia in 2003 amounted to 473 thousand US dollars, or 8 percent of the total spending.

5 The total expenses of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia in 2003 amounted to 5.9 million US dollars. Spending exceeds income by 212 thousand US dollars because internal reserves were used to cover payable rent to the Foundation’s affiliate company, Bulgarian Building Fund, thus reducing a loan of 132 thousand US dollars. The difference between income and expenses also results from the accounting policy of the Open Society Institute in recognizing income from fixed assets. The Foundation has no direct economic activity. Information on OSF – Sofia’s long-term investment in affiliate companies is included in the financial report.

4. Accountability and control Grant-making decisions are taken by independent experts who serve one-year terms and act based on publicly announced principles and priorities, and detailed operation procedures designed to ensure impartiality, transparency, and avoidance of any conflict of interest. The financial operations of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia are recorded and accounted for in compliance with Bulgarian accounting laws, international financial reporting standards, and the established standards within the International Soros Network. The Foundation uses special software with integrated projects register and keeps analytical records of projects, programs, and funding sources with clearly defined responsibilities and total control over the implementation of grant-making decisions throughout the duration of supported projects. The integrated module allows for generating financial reports in different currencies (Bulgarian leva, US dollars, Euro). The bookkeeping is outsourced to an OSF-Sofia subsidiary NGO Accounting firm. Since 1995, the activity of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia has been audited by an internationally acknowledged auditing firm. The Foundation is registered as a public benefit organization and issues a publicly accessible annual report on its activity. APPENDIX 1: Open Society Foundation - Sofia Auditor’s Report and Annual Financial Statements December 31, 2003 and 2002

5. Resources The Open Society Foundation – Sofia has contracted a long-term lease of an office building in the central part of Sofia, 56, Solunska St., with 35 computer-equipped working stations and two conference rooms. Project activities are carried out by combining the efforts of the Foundation’s staff and the use of experts. As of 2003 the permanently employed staff numbers 20 individuals. The Foundation publicizes information on its program activity through: • its institutional web sites: www.osf.bg, news.osf.bg ; • projects web sites: constitution.osf.bg, communitypolicing.osf.bg , www.ethnos.bg, www.osf.bg/euconvention2003/, www.osf.bg/nip2003/, www.osf.bg/sos/, as well as www.BGNGO.org (currently under construction) • biweekly electronic Open Society Newsletter in Bulgarian, sent electronically to 1000 addressees and published on the Foundation’s web site • bimonthly Wide Awake Newsletter in English.

6 Programs 2003 Public Debate Program

The setting up of the Public Debate Program in the program structure of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia, follows the strategy for transforming the Foundation from a grant- making organization to a public policy institution. The mission of the Program is to implement projects and act as a public mediator among different institutions with a view to influencing the political system into adopting the civil society agenda. The Program pursues these objectives by organizing public debates in society on important issues, developing strategies for extending public debate, and increasing political system awareness of civil society values. A serious achievement of the Public Debate Program in 2003 was the start of a project for elaborating long-term sectoral strategies for Bulgaria’s development in 2005-2010, which will serve as a basis for public debate. The project attracted a broad circle or experts with different political and professional views. • Project partners: European Institute, Economic Development Center, Center for Liberal Strategies, Balkan Labor and Social Policy Institute, Program and Analytical Center for European Law, Paedia Foundation, Vassil Garnizov and team, Economy and International Relations Institute, Social Democratic Institute. • Project areas: EU accession, administrative reform, economic development, national security, development of the social sphere, public health, regional development and local government, judicial reform, general education development, macroeconomic and structural policy before and after Bulgaria’s accession to the EU, social democratic alternatives: debates on leftwing values and policies in Bulgaria. Led by its strategic task of overcoming publicity and transparency deficits in formulating the values of public and economic development, the Open Society Foundation – Sofia maintained successful partnerships with analytical and research centers, as well as with civic organizations from the whole political spectrum. In an effort to support the training of young leaders and parliamentarians, the Foundation supported the following projects: • Creating a Rightwing School, Razum Association; • Social Policy Academy, Social Integration Institute; • School for Politics, Training Sessions 2004-2006. A new trend in the Program activity is the cooperation with leading experts on constitutional issues, legal and political framework, national security, and other public areas with a view to elaborating and promoting a civil sector position in the public debate. In 2002 the Foundation launched a joint program with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to involve NGOs and increase public participation in the process of Bulgaria’s accession to NATO. Some of the projects financed by OSF – Sofia in 2003 include: • national security policy development by think-tanks: Euro-Atlantic Security Institute, Institute for Regional and International Studies; • publishing the George Marshall Association Newsletter and maintaining a regular column in the Mediapool electronic newspaper; • organizing conferences and debates, independently or in partnership with the Atlantic Club in Bulgaria;

8 • conducting public opinion polls on the Balkans. Other Foundation activities in this sphere included: • developing public administration reform policies; • conducting research and organizing debates on transformations in Bulgarian society; • publishing works on ethnic tolerance and the Holocaust. To ensure the necessary degree of visibility and dynamics, the Foundation cooperates with the Mediapool electronic newspaper, the Capital Weekly, and the Bulgarian Bestseller National Museum of Bulgarian Book and Printing, among others.

Projects, Initiated by the Program

Strategy for Bulgaria’s Social and Economic Development, 2005-2010 – Civic Debate Project in partnership with:

Paideia Foundation Drafting a General Education Development Strategy...... 5000 USD

Parliamentary Center for European Law Drafting a Judicial Reform Strategy ...... 10,000 USD

Economic Development Center Drafting an Economic Development Strategy ...... 20,000 USD

Center for Liberal Strategies Drafting a National Security Strategy ...... 10,000 USD

European Institute Foundation Drafting an EU Accession Strategy ...... 10,000 USD

European Institute Foundation Drafting an Administrative Reform Strategy...... 5000 USD

Vasil Garnizov and team Drafting a Regional Development and Local Government Strategy...... 10,000 USD

Balkan Labor and Social Policy Institute Drafting a Social Sphere and Public Health Development Strategy for 2050- 2010, including Delegation Policies...... 20,000 USD

9 Other Projects, Initiated by the Program

State of Society Scientific Debate Two-day Scientific Debate on Three Research Studies on the State of Society, Financed by the Open Society Foundation in 2002...... 7185 USD

Conference “NATO Enlargement – New Opportunities” ...... 2013 USD

Conference “The Royal Factor – the 800 Days”...... 984 USD

Convention on the Future of Europe Debate ...... 3364 USD

International Criminal Court – between Political Pressure and Legal Norm ...... 551 USD

Discussion “Bulgaria after the Vote of No Confidence” ...... 970 USD

Working Meeting “Bulgaria’s Legal System and Business”...... 2524 USD

Discussion “The Future of Enlarged EU”...... 375 USD

Conference “Quo Vadis?”...... 3613 USD

Discussion “Is a New Roundtable Necessary?” ...... 497 USD

Public Opinion Poll on Anti-American Feelings on the Balkans ...... 41,792 USD

Bulgarian Delegation to Washington DC on the Occasion of Bulgaria’s Accession to NATO ...... 7744 USD

Bulgaria’s Constitution Project...... 6151 USD

OSF – Sofia Fellows...... 8800 USD

Trans-border Cooperation with NGOs from Edirne, Turkey...... 1662 USD

Bulgaria’s Role in UN Security Council...... 2447 USD

Grants

Euro-Atlantic Security Institute “Security, Security Sector and Society” ...... 25,900 USD

Program for Bulgaria’s Integration into NATO, Bulgarian and English Uploadable Version and CD Version (300 copies)...... 5769 USD

10 Institute for Regional and International Studies “Bulgarian Security System: Six Months before Finalizing Bulgaria’s Accession to NATO” ...... 3446 USD

George Marshall Association Publishing 12 issues of the Association’s Newsletter ...... 6666 USD

Euro-Atlantic Integration Institute Bulgaria, NATO and EU: Challenges to and Prospects for 2004 Defense and Security Policy ...... 34,655 USD

Atlantic Club in Bulgaria Meeting of the ATA Executive Committee ...... 2238 USD Conference “100th Anniversary from the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between USA and Bulgaria: Looking Ahead” ...... 9985 USD

Bulgarian Bestseller National Museum of Bulgarian Book and Printing Publishing a Special Issue, Dedicated to the 100th Anniversary from the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between USA and Bulgaria...... 9807 USD

Social Integration Institute – Sofia Social Policy Academy ...... 25,000 USD

Razum Association Creating a Rightwing School...... 36,525 USD Razum Newsletter ...... 11,760 USD

Social Democratic Institute Social Democratic Alternative – Debates on Bulgarian Leftwing Values and Policies...... 15,000 USD

School for Politics School for Politics 2004–2006...... 105,000 USD

Economy and International Relations Institute “Macroeconomic and Structural Policy until and after Bulgaria’s Accession to EU” ...... 15,000 USD

Criticism and Humanism Foundation “Bulgarian Society at the End of Transition”...... 34,680 USD

Integration Research Institute “Balkan Identities IV”...... 7450 USD

Open Society Club – Rousse “I Am a Citizen. I Vote.” ...... 3008 USD

11 New Bulgarian University International Conference: “Conflicts, Confidence, Democracy”...... 4600 USD

European Institute Foundation Local Government Evaluation Model...... 27,045 USD

Political Academy for Central and Southeastern Europe “The Bulgarian Transition: Programs, Documents, Events (1989-2002)” ...... 10,950 USD

Institutional Research Center Central and Local Government Relations in Bulgaria...... 24,820 USD

Policy Modernization Center Increasing Citizens’ Awareness of Their Rights and Responsibilities in Personal Data Protection...... 24,610 USD

Center for Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology Studies City in Transition – Culture as a Resource for Local Civil Society ...... 15,355 USD

Athens Water Conference Evgenii Dainov...... 821 USD

Holocaust Day Commemoration Conference...... 4108 USD

Info Space Foundation European Integration. International and Regional Security...... 45,000 USD Rule of Law. Bulgaria in the Ratification Period Preceding Full Membership in NATO and Bulgaria’s Role in the UN Security Council...... 17,200 USD

12 European Integration and Regional Stability Program

In 2003 the European Integration and Regional Stability Program of Open Society Foundation – Sofia continued to support Bulgaria’s efforts for successful integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures through variety of initiatives, implemented by OSF – Sofia independently or in partnership with a broad range of civil society organizations or governmental institutions. Those initiatives comprised: • Development of a concept for a pilot project for online learning targeted to state administration and aimed at increasing its capacity to absorb EU pre-accession (PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD) and structural funds in an efficient and sustainable manner. The pilot project will be implemented in 2004 in cooperation with the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. It would build upon the successful results of previously conducted trainings. 47 public servants from five Ministries have been trained in 2002 and the training program was developed on the basis of a needs assessment conducted in advance. The training was evaluated as highly successful by the participants – useful, timely and practice- oriented, and OSF – Sofia has received requests for its continuation in 2003 • Research and analysis in areas of European Integration by the OSF – Sofia’s informal group of policy analysts, “Group for European Prognosis and Research”. Three publications have been issued in 2003: “The War on Terrorism and European Integration”, “European Immigration Policy Development” and a Handbook on Regulation Impact Analysis. Six other thematic analyses have been commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the framework of the Communication Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria. • Research project on the EU Convention targeted to accumulating local expertise and raising public awareness on the future European Constitution. Ten Bulgarian experts have analyzed the main trends in the debate on the future constitutional treaty of the European Union and its implications on Bulgaria. The findings will be presented and discussed publicly in 2004. • Policy project on models of fiscal decentralization applicable to Bulgaria aimed at stimulating an informed and professional debate on future decentralization developments. A team of seven experts has developed a policy paper presenting three possible models of fiscal decentralization for Bulgaria. A broad public debate both in Sofia and in the six planning regions of Bulgaria will be organized in 2004 in order to frame an informed discussion on the pros and cons of the different types of decisions regarding decentralization in Bulgaria. • Joint partnership project “Bridge between Civilizations”, implemented by the National libraries of Bulgaria and the Islamic Republic of Iran and aimed at encouraging cultural exchange as a tool for promoting the open society values. The project is part of the global outreach of the Institute for promoting the values of the open society. In 2002, the Open Society Foundation – Sofia and the Open Society Foundation – Turkey organized a tender on “Civic Partnership for Regional Stability”. The goal of the tender was to stimulate the process of bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey by implementing joint civic initiatives between Bulgarian and Turkish nonprofit organizations. Nine joint projects of Bulgarian and Turkish nonprofit organizations with a total budget of $ 103,450 were implemented, achieving sustainable results within the thematic areas of European integration, conflict resolution and good neighborliness and strengthening civil society. OSF – Sofia organized and carried out a workshop in Bulgaria, attended by both

13 Bulgarian and Turkish representatives of the funded NGOs. The partners shared project results and lessons learned, and made plans for future joint initiatives. Building on the results of this initiative, OSF – Sofia organized a tender “Civic Partnership for European Integration” at the end of 2003. The tender was specifically targeted to stimulating the bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and Turkey through civic initiatives in the areas of the Copenhagen political criteria for EU membership, strengthening the role of NGOs in the process of adoption of the acquis communautaire, and contributing to the effective and accountable absorption of pre-accession funds, as well as horizontal EU programs. Six partnership projects in the above mentioned thematic areas will be implemented in 2004.

Projects, Initiated by the Program

2003 – The European Convention and the Future of United Europe Publicizing the Results of the Convention’s Activity and Formulating an Informed Bulgarian Position on the Future EU Constitution and Architecture ...... 12,894 USD

Discussion on the Future of the Enlarged EU...... 2816 USD

Group for European Prognosis and Research Publishing Three Research Studies, Conducted in 2002 and Identifying Topical Thematic Areas for Producing 5 Analytical Papers and Research Studies in 2003...... 10,269 USD

Communication Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria – 2003 Organizing a Public Debate on Communication Strategy Priorities of the Republic of Bulgaria in 2003...... 288 USD

Municipal Staff Training on Pre-Accession Financial Instruments Training 25 Municipal Staff from the Municipality of Sofia on Phare, ISPA and SAPARD Pre-Accession Financial Instruments...... 4138 USD

Public Administration Training Public Administration Capacity Building Training for Public Administration to Optimize the Use of Phare, ISPA and SAPARD Pre- Accession Financial Instruments ...... 2918 USD

Bulgarian-Turkish Partnership Meeting Bulgarian-Turkish Partnership Meeting of NGOs Developing Projects under a Joint Civic Partnership for Democracy Competition ...... 5690 USD

14 Grants

European Institute Foundation Creating a Database of Consultants, Experts and Lecturers on European Integration, Interaction and International Financial Institutions Projecting, Development and Maintenance of 1997–2007 Bulgaria's Accession Web Information System Project Module...... 11,600 USD

Hearing from Europe Conference ...... 4845 USD

NATO Information Center in Sofia Conference Arms Trade and Trade in Dual-Use Goods ...... 25,060 USD

The Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy Bulgarian Participation in the Chalki International Seminar on EU Enlargement...... 8090 USD

British Council Bulgaria Registered Mark ...... 7503 USD

Education without Borders Foundation at the Ninth French Language Teaching High School International Youth Seminar on Citizenship: Young Peoples’ Rights and Responsibilities in Family, School and Society...... 2695 USD

Paideia Foundation Annual School Essay Competition on European Integration, Organized in Partnership with the Institute for Citizenship, UK...... 1855 USD

Ralitsa Lozanova, Ph.D., and Team Orthodox Albania Research Project ...... 3435 USD

Bulgarian-Turkish Partnership Projects

Bulgarian Black Sea Municipalities Association European Integration by Equal-based Involvement of Young People in Local Government ...... 12,817 USD

Bulgarian Civic Initiative Promotion Association – Bourgas European Region, European Integration – Program Framework for Sustainable Regional Development, Trans-border Cooperation and European Integration of Kirklareli and Bourgas ...... 11,061 USD

Lactea European Training Center Bulgaria and Turkey – Partners for Successful EU Integration...... 15,995 USD

Open Society Club – Smolian Smolian and Edirne – an Integral Part of the History, Culture and Future of Europe...... 14,810 USD

Women Research and Policy Center Joint Monitoring and Training Program for Bulgarian and Turkish Women NGOs on the Acquis Communautaire in Gender Equality ...... 16,000 USD

European Institute Foundation Research Institutes – Partners and Mediators in the EU Accession Process. The Case of Bulgaria and Turkey ...... 15,803 USD

16 East—East Network Program

Grants in Bulgaria

Tolerance Association Networking of Municipalities from Four Countries...... 7770 USD

Sustainable Civil Society Development Club Youth for Community Support...... 4600 USD

Women’s Business Forum Networking of Women Entrepreneurs from Bulgaria, Greece, Slovakia and Turkey...... 8342 USD

Environment Protection Strategies Institute Introductory Seminar on Waste Management in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and Eastern Europe ...... 8681 USD

Support for Project-related Travel outside Bulgaria

Youth for Community Support Asen Mihaylov Bakov ...... 245 USD Atanas Hristov Paralingov ...... 245 USD Dimiter Georgiev Iliev...... 245 USD Lucia Egalinova Ilieva ...... 245 USD Hristina Todorova Yordanova ...... 245 USD

Homophobia in Southeastern Europe Seminar Assya Stefanova Chaneva...... 350 USD Ivaylo Vasilev Tsonev ...... 350 USD Milozar Velichkov Hristov ...... 301 USD Trayko Ognyanov Stoilov...... 351 USD Yasen Dimitrov Zarev ...... 350 USD

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally. Community Work for People with Disabilities for a More Tolerant Society Boryana Veselinova Koskina...... 287 USD Ilia Nikolaev Kardjanov ...... 287 USD Yordanka Dimitrova Koskina ...... 290 USD Nedelina Vasileva Naydenova...... 291 USD

17 “School Plus” Ivanka Doycheva Angelova ...... 462 USD Krasimir Petrov Angelov ...... 564 USD Lydia Hristova Lindrova ...... 605 USD Lyudmila Nikolaeva Stoylova...... 462 USD Stanimira Ilcheva Hristeva ...... 468 USD Victoria Yulianova Stoynova...... 590 USD

Conflict of Interest in Local Public Administration Hristo Panayotov Panayotov...... 254 USD Zhivka Strahilova Damianova ...... 283 USD

Should We Be Afraid of Our Neighbors? Sylvia Toshkova Todorova ...... 482 USD Valentina Alexandrova Yordanova...... 482 USD Yordanka Hristova Karageourova ...... 482 USD

Ninth Regional Conference on Child Abuse Kamen Kirilov Startiev...... 311 USD Katya Milcheva Krustanova-Karaivanova ...... 317 USD Vaska Slavcheva Stancheva-Popkostadinova...... 311 USD Penka Yordanova Stoyanova ...... 332 USD

Women’s Fund Organization and Management Kalinka Ivanova Slivkova ...... 522 USD Magdanela Zlatkova Delinesheva ...... 522 USD Stanimira Rangelova Hadjimitova ...... 522 USD

Creating a Network of Organizations for Community Development in Central and Eastern Europe Lyubomir Ivanov Lazarov...... 364 USD Mariana Petkova Popova...... 364 USD

Methods and Practices for Local Roma Community Development in Eastern Europe Lilia Slavkova Makaveeva ...... 405 USD Mira Veselinova Stefanova ...... 387 USD Ognyan Nikolov Kamenov...... 387 USD Yana Ognyanova Kamenova...... 387 USD

World for Peace Summer School Orlin Valeriev Hristov...... 795 USD Svetlana Yordanova Stamenova ...... 795 USD

Experience of Eastern European Countries in Trade Union Reform Pancho Sotirov Mutafchiev...... 657 USD Ceca Ilieva Atanasova ...... 657 USD

First Regional Human Rights Education Training Session for Teachers and NGO Staff from Southeastern Europe Maysun Kamal Shaaban...... 641 USD Penka Nikolova Peeva...... 518 USD Tanya Lyubenova Marincheshka...... 519 USD

Education for Civil Society Involvement Lydia Petrova Dachkova...... 582 USD Stela Malcheva Dermendjieva...... 594 USD

Rural Region Development Opportunities Sylvia Stoycheva Spasova...... 549 USD Venislava Georgieva Boyadjieva ...... 549 USD

Development of the Timok Region by Creating a Business Incubator – Center for Entrepreneurship Development in the Timok Region Zhivka Yancheva Nikolova ...... 292 USD Roumen Petrov Kunchev...... 292 USD

National Strategies for Developing Ecology Education in Eastern European Countries to Meet European Standards Roumen Iliev Vulchev...... 144 USD Stoyan Dimitriv Yotov...... 101 USD

Education Problems of Refugee and Migrant Children Galya Todorova Gercheva-Nestorova ...... 1088 USD Rumyana Nedeva Tultukova ...... 1088 USD

Boris Borisov Stanimirov Youth Participation in the Election Process ...... 713 USD

Borislava Kirilova Daskalova Modern Citizenship...... 740 USD

Vesela Dinkova Makarinova Transparency and Accountability of Police Detention Facilities ...... 223 USD

19 Dimitrina Nestorova Merdjanova Nation States and Religious Minorities: The Muslim Community in Bulgaria ...... 557 USD

Elena Stoyanova Atanasova State Policy towards Neglected Children: Status and Needs ...... 833 USD

Elena Traykova Traykova Peace University Session in Human Rights Training for Teachers and Activists from Eastern Europe...... 518 USD

Elka Georgieva Nikolova Education System Reform Scenario...... 684 USD

Krasimir Ivanov Kunev Penitentiary System and Public Monitoring ...... 1019 USD

Krasimira Ruseva Teneva Regional Cultural Policy Development ...... 526 USD

Lilia Leonidova Sazonova Religious Pluralism – a Challenge to Eastern Europe ...... 570 USD

Miglena Ilieva Nikolchina-Marinova Participation Opportunities: Prospects for Marginalized Group Inclusion ...... 625 USD

Nadya Vasileva Boneva Gender: Leading Policy in the Framework of the “Environment for Europe” Process ...... 925 USD

Petko Spasov Vasilev Transparency and Accountability of Police Detention Facilities ...... 223 USD

Plamena Koleva Borisova Integrating of Sustainable Development Indicators into National Planning Systems...... 862 USD

Presyana Stankova Manolova Second Regional Meeting on Trafficking in Children in Central and Southeastern Europe and the Baltic States ...... 341 USD

20 Legal Program

The activities of OSI – Sofia’s Legal Program are targeted at promoting the principles of rule of law, division of powers and the protection of basic human rights and freedoms through legal empowerment of citizens and strengthening democratic institutions. In 2003 the Program shifting its focus from donor activities towards developing and implementing research projects, either independently or in cooperation with national institutions and other NGOs. Main project activities consist in establishing sustainable mechanisms for evaluation and civic control over the efficiency of state institutions, assisting the preparation of legislative amendments, raising public awareness about rule of law principles and participating into the legislative process. Main partners of the Program are the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of interior, National institute of justice, National Bar association and OSI – Justice Initiative. The program is implementing joint projects with UNDP and the Canadian Agency for International Development. Summarized achievements of the Program are: • Strengthening the capacity of local human rights organizations and promoting their active involvement in determining the priorities of judicial reform; • Impacting key aspects of the judicial system with a view of facilitating effective reforms – (appointment of press officers in courts, piloting Public defenders office and probation centers) • strengthening the law-enforcement capacity of the judicial system by providing specialized training for magistrates (with the National institute of justice and the National Investigative service) and practical training for law students (legal clinics) • Developing and introducing mechanisms for partnership between state institutions and civic organizations (community policing program, probation centers) In 2003 the Program worked into the following areas of reform of the national justice system: 1. Human Rights Protection The Program granted approximately $ 155,000 to 11 NGOs providing legal aid and representation to vulnerable social groups – representatives of ethnic minorities, refugees and migrants and people with disabilities. The organizations work on the effective implementation of the right to defense (Bulgarian Lawyers for Human Rights), practice direct anti-discrimination litigation, provide counseling in labor and welfare lawsuits and propose relevant legislative amendments. In the absence of state guaranteed free legal aid this is the only way to assisting people that suffered human rights abuses but can not afford paid counsel. 2. Reform of the Judiciary Under its Access to justice project the Program opened and operates the first public defenders office in the country with the view of proposing an alternative model for provision of ex officio defense in criminal cases. The office works in Veliko Tarnovo with 5 lawyers. According to the opinion of local judges it already contributes effectively to faster court proceeding, better representation of clients and curbing corruption in the judiciary. The results of the project should provide the basis of the up coming legislation on free legal aid and provide for a cost benefit analysis of the proposed new system. The project

21 development is assisted by a permanent Advisory body including leading magistrates, scholars, representative of the National Bar association and a deputy minister of justice. The Program supported a number of initiatives targeted at improving the qualification of investigators (Project of the Open Society Club – Veliko Turnovo) and judges and the practical training of law students (through continuing support of 4 legal clinics). The training of investigators is based on methods for investigation of specific crimes (computer crimes, drugs-related crimes) and techniques for gathering and analyzing evidences. It was the first such training organized since 1995. Based on the results of the project and upon explicit request from the National Investigation Service (NIS) the Program is planning for a nation wide extension of the training in 2004 and for supporting the establishment of methodological and research unit within the NIS. In order to summarize its involvement in the practical training of the law students, the Program commissioned an evaluation report and proposed the setting of national standards for clinical legal education. The proposals were discussed with representatives of several Law faculties in the country on a conference in November 2003. Throughout 2003 one of the main concern of the Program was the need for sound scientific basis of the reform in the judiciary and public participation in the discussions on the necessary constitutional amendments. With this view the Program initiated the Civil Convention on Constitutional Amendments – a unique assembly of politicians, scholars, legal professionals and NGO activists that discuss the Bulgarian constitutional vision on regular public forums. The overall project is consulted by an expert committee, consisting of the Bulgarian representatives in the EU Convention and a former Constitutional Court justice. The opinions of the forums are regularly submitted to the Parliamentary Commission for Constitutional Amendments and are used as reference material on the sessions of the Commission. The full transcripts of the discussions are available at http://constitution.osf.bg/. 3. Juvenile Justice On a join initiative with the UNDP the program continued the piloting of probation centers for juvenile offenders and organized training for the secretaries of the local juvenile delinquency commissions. 4. Transparency and Anticorruption In 2003 the Program supported the last stage of the project for appointment and training of press officers for the district courts in Bulgaria. The project was successfully carried out by the Legal initiative for Training and Development (Varna) and resulted in the improvement in the access to court related information for journalists and citizens. With the support of the Ministry of justice 28 press officers were appointed at permanent positions with the district courts and trained in implementation of the national access to information legislation. As from December 2003 the organization undertakes similar initiative in partnership with the National association of prosecutors. The Program also began a detailed comparative law analysis of the mechanisms that ensure transparency and accountability in the prosecution of 6 countries. The findings of the research should encourage national debates on the organization of the Bulgarian prosecution and its efficiency and may lead eventually to subsequent legislative amendments. 5. Community Policing Open society institute – Sofia, through its Legal program, is the main supporter of projects of NGOs targeted at civil participation in the reform of the police service. The program currently supports 11 NGOs working in this area since mid - 2002. The projects

22 resulted in improvement of the interaction between police and local authorities (4 commissions for public order and security established with municipal councils), design of local crime prevention strategies, improvement of the professional qualification of police officers and establishment of the first mechanisms for victim care. One of the most successful initiatives of the community policing component was the first civil monitoring on the police service in Bulgaria conducted by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (published as Human rights and the Bulgarian Police). Summarizing the experience of the NGOs, the Program participated into the drafting of a Strategy for Implementation of the Community Policing model in Bulgaria and currently supports the Ministry of the Interior into its implementation. All relevant information is available at http://communitypolicing.osf.bg. 6. Alternatives to Imprisonment The program continued the piloting of five probation centers in the country (a total of $ 65,000 granted to NGOs). It participated actively in the drafting of the proposals for subsequent legislative amendments and organized public discussions on the topic. In the long term the Program will focus on conducting research studies, developing and promoting public policies in the following areas: rule of law, equality and human rights protection, transparency and efficiency of the judiciary and EU accession.

Projects, Initiated by the Program

Access to Justice ...... 48,288 USD

Civil Convention for Amendments to the Bulgarian Constitution...... 12,227 USD

Transparency and Efficiency of the Prosecution System in Bulgaria ...... 26,484 USD

Establishing an NGO Network for Introducing Alternatives to the Penalty of Confinement...... 2289 USD

Monitoring of the Children in Conflict with the Law Project...... 3150 USD

“Community Policing” NGO Network ...... 2808 USD

Anticorruption Research Project and Anticorruption and Advocacy Projects ...... 26,441 USD

Ex Officio Defense Case Study...... 477 USD

Working Meeting “Establishing a Unified Clinical Training Model in Bulgaria”...... 1365 USD

Discussion on Penal Code Amendments. Access to Classified Information...... 1039 USD

Capacity Building Training Program for Penitentiary Staff ...... 402 USD

Community Policing: Promoting Modern Community Policing Methods ...... 217 USD

Research on Criminality in Bulgaria: Trends and Factors ...... 986 USD

23 Effective Human Rights Protection Project Competition

Refugee Law Clinic Association Legal Aid for Refugees and Migrants ...... 13,344 USD

European Integration and Human Rights Association – Plovdiv Law Enforcement to the Benefit of Society...... 12,015 USD

Open Society Club – Varna Legal Aid for Disadvantaged Roma Women and Children ...... 18,052 USD

Center for Independent Living Guaranteeing Equity for People with Disabilities by Eliminating Discrimination ...... 17,595 USD

Drom Association Access to Justice for Roma ...... 15,590 USD

Human Rights Project Nonprofit Association Free Legal Aid for Roma Victims of Discrimination and Ethnic Violence ...... 12,641 USD

Bulgarian Lawyers for Human Rights Foundation Access to Legal Aid...... 10,184 USD

Legal Clinic Foundation Administrative Law and Administrative Process Legal Clinic...... 10,180 USD

Legal Clinic Foundation, Sofia Office Legal Clinic– University of National and World Economy ...... 10,255 USD

Legal Aid Center Foundation Legal Clinics at the Plovdiv University Law School...... 14,350 USD

Romani Bach Foundation Godi e Romenge – Help for Roma...... 13,882 USD

Refugees and Migrants Association Access to Legal Procedure and Protection of Refugee Rights in Bulgaria...... 10,368 USD

Penitentiary System Reform Project Competition

Open Society Club – Stara Zagora Sustainable Development of the Stara Zagora Probation Center...... 23,554 USD

Open Society Club – Sliven Creating Conditions for Successful Social Integration of Women Serving the Penalty of Confinement in the Sliven Correctional Facility...... 9089 USD

Institute for Political and Legal Studies Central Probation Center Model...... 12,235 USD

IGA Regional Fund Probation Network Model in Pazardjik...... 18,520 USD

Republican Institute Foundation Selection, Training and Involvement of Volunteers in the Activity of the Rouse Probation Center ...... 22,216 USD

Grants

Market Economy Institute Regional Workforce Migration...... 45,000 USD

Open Society Club – Veliko Turnovo Capacity Building Training Program for Investigators from the District Investigative Office in Veliko Turnovo...... 9775 USD

Legal Initiative for Education and Development Prosecution Service Press Officers: A Guarantee for Transparency of the Judiciary ...... 20,000 USD

Bulgarian Helsinki Committee Alternative Report on the Implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities...... 3822 USD

Parliamentary Center for European Law Creating and Maintaining of Information and Library Archives on EU Law...... 4989 USD

Romani Bach Foundation Public and Legal Support for Solving the Electricity Problem in Stolipinovo Roma Neighborhood in Plovdiv...... 4835 USD

International Training of Trainers Seminar on Police and Drugs Kristina Lyubenova Zheliazkova...... 485 USD Mimi Ivanova Borisova ...... 485 USD

25 Student International Public Law Team TELDERS International Law Moot Court Competition ...... 1882 USD

Children in Conflict with the Law Project

National Justice Institute Magistrates’ Training in Pilot Municipalities...... 15,697 USD

Training Center at the Central Juvenile Delinquency Commission ...... 2684 USD

Social Activities and Practices Gabrovo Probation Center...... 20,000 USD

Partners – Bulgaria Foundation Vidin Probation Center ...... 20,000 USD

Children at Risk Priority

Center for Hope Foundation Legal Aid for Children with Multiple Disabilities ...... 17,742 USD

Psychological Support Foundation Creating a Consultation Office for Early Juvenile Delinquency Prevention ...... 13,641 USD

Children and Youth Association Youth Re-socialization Center...... 21,913 USD

Partners – Bulgaria Foundation Prevention Program for Children and Youth at Risk ...... 20,000 USD

26 Local Government Reform Program

In 2003 the Program pursued its key objective: to promote civic involvement in public administration reform and to contribute to strengthening the capacity of local government institutions and establishing new governance practices, which would guarantee equal access to social services for marginalized groups and geographically isolated communities. In an effort to develop practical skills and strengthen municipal administration capacity for absorbing EU pre-accession and structural funds, the Program organized a national training program for municipal officials. 450 representatives of municipal and regional administrations in 90 municipalities were trained in cooperation with the European Institute Foundation and the Local Government Reform Foundation. The Program initiated a project for monitoring the activity of the Sofia Municipal Council, which aims at improving the transparency of Sofia Municipality and guaranteeing transparent decision-making by conducting an on-going monitoring of its activities with a focus on: • economic policy and municipal property management; • municipal budget; • urban development, architecture and building; • ecology and land use; • transportation and road safety; The project is implemented in partnership with the ACCESS Foundation – Sofia, the Civic Association against Corruption and Illegal Construction, and the Blue Link Foundation. The Program contributed to improving the management capacity of ethnic minority representatives in central and local public administration by supporting efforts to enhance the professional qualification of local government officials in areas with ethnically diverse population (diversity management). Special emphasis was placed on the effective interaction between local governments and NGOs. In 2003 the Program organized three competitions and supported a total of 26 projects for encouraging the joint initiatives of NGOs and local governments targeted to facilitating the social integration of senior citizens and curbing the social, economic, and demographic destabilization in small communities. Through the joint initiative “Living Heritage: Tools for Regional Development”, implemented in partnership with the King Baudouin Foundation and the World Bank Institute, the Program established partnerships between local NGOs and local governments aimed at preserving typical ethnocultural monuments and transforming them into an instrument for reviving latent communities. Through the Interethnic Fund for Development the Program actively supports the elaboration of central and local strategies and policies designed to overcome the marginalization of ethnically diverse communities and promote a sustainable model for social integration of minorities. The Local Government Reform Program organized two project competitions and supported 27 projects designed to develop alternative employment models for members of the Roma community in small and medium-sized municipalities. Priority was given to projects promoting partnerships between local NGOs and Employment Bureaus.

27 The Program encouraged specific actions to combat non-transparency by supporting anticorruption initiatives, projects designed to guarantee transparency and equal access to public services, and active civic involvement in local and regional policy development and implementation, as well as in municipal property management. In an effort to change public attitude to people with disabilities, the Program cooperated with the Foundation for Independent Living and the Public Perceptions Foundation to launch the TV program InValid. Models promoting the equal access of people with disabilities to social services were also supported. The Program encouraged initiatives aimed at guaranteeing accessible urban environment and civic control over the enforcement and observance of architectural and urban development standards and regulations.

Projects, Initiated by the Program

Translation and Publishing of a Compendium on Effective Public Policies Development and Initial Training of Trainers...... 5907 USD

Roundtable Discussion on Public-Private Partnerships for Better Local Government: Standards and Limitations in the Sofia Municipal Council Regulations ...... 3526 USD

Public Perceptions Foundation (In)Valid TV Program for Changing Public Perceptions towards People with Disabilities...... 69,224 USD

Fiscal Decentralization Research and Analysis Project ...... 20,440 USD

Grants

Civic Association against Corruption and Illegal Construction Monitoring the Activity of the Sofia Municipal Council. Conducting an Ongoing Monitoring on Urban Development, Architecture and Building ...... 10,000 USD

ACCESS Foundation Monitoring the Activity of the Sofia Municipal Council. Conducting an Ongoing Monitoring on Economic Policy and Municipal Property Management. Municipal Budget ...... 20,000 USD

Blue Link Foundation Monitoring the Activity of the Sofia Municipal Council. Conducting an Ongoing Monitoring on Ecology and Land Use ...... 8000 USD

European Institute Foundation European Models for Development ...... 28,527 USD

Local Government Reform Foundation The Bulgarian Municipalities: Competent Participants in the Disbursement of EU Funds – II...... 33,762 USD

Future for Bulgaria Foundation Mediators ...... 24,316 USD

Joint Projects with King Baudouin Foundation

Interethnic Initiative for Human Rights Foundation Interethnic Fund for Development – Final 12-month Phase of a 3-year Project. A Joint Project of the Open Foundation, the King Baudouin Foundation and the Charles Stuart Mott Foundation...... 138,996 USD

Workshop for Civic Initiatives The Living Heritage...... 50,000 USD

NGO Center Foundation – Kurdjali Effective Model of Community Involvement in Planning Sustainable Development in the Municipalities of Momchilgrad and Krumovgrad, Kurdjali Region, South Rhodope ...... 13,347 USD

Public Barometer Civic Association Transparency and Efficiency in Public Service Provision in the Sliven Municipality...... 8190 USD

Open Society Club – Sliven Information Support for Strong Local Government in the Municipalities of Kotel, Tvurditsa, and Nova Zagora...... 5762 USD

Open Society Club – Smolyan Effectiveness and Transparency of Newly Elected Municipal Councils in the Smolyan Region ...... 12,095 USD

Open Society Club – Stara Zagora Monitoring and Civic Control in Radnevo...... 9994 USD

Rhodope Regional Tourist Association Partnerships for Local Economic Development in Smolyan Region...... 11,199 USD

Civic Initiative for Local Development Association Improving the Employment Prospects and Facilitating the Social Adaptation of Young People in the Villages of Ezerovo, Razdelna and Strashimirovo in Beloslav Municipality...... 3462 USD

Bulgarian Civil Society and Legal Initiatives Association Civil Control over Local and Central Administration. Public Interest Lawsuits...... 4881 USD

Civic Initiative for Local Development Association Improving the Professional Capacity of Municipal Officials in Regions with Ethnically Diverse Population...... 4670 USD

NGO Links Association Access to Municipal Service Related Information in Remote Areas with Ethnically Diverse Population...... 8132 USD

Regional Analyses and Prognosis Nonprofit Association Civic Initiatives Regional Center ...... 5718 USD

National Legal Initiative for Local Government Association Establishing Working Innovative Regional and National Models for Efficient Transition to Decentralization...... 4660 USD

Alternatives for the Bulgarian Villages Foundation Supporting Local Administration and Agricultural Producers in Sliven Region...... 4921 USD

Business Intellect Center Transparency of Municipal Property Management in Iskar Region ...... 6780 USD

Europractices 2003 Competition

National Legal Initiative for Local Government Association Establishing a Pilot Training Center in Silistra Region to Help Local Governments Meet the Requirements of the European Commission ...... 7439 USD

Local and Regional Development Agency Association Training in Strategic Planning for Municipal Counselors in Stara Zagora Region...... 7146 USD

Lactea European Training Center Association European Added Value to the Professional Activity of Local Government Officials in Areas with Ethnically Diverse Population...... 7133 USD

Information Center for the Development of Dimitrovgrad Municipality Training as a Prerequisite for Success of Local Government Institutions in Dimitrovgrad ...... 4658 USD

Open Society Club – Rouse Small Parliaments ...... 8438 USD

Revived Civil Society Regional Association Effective Management Practices: Building and Enhancing the Management Skills of Elected Officials ...... 6147 USD

Local and Regional Development Agency Association Improving the Professional Capacity of Municipal Administration in Troyan...... 5060 USD

Beloslava Association Administration and Citizens: Partners in Local Government...... 7694 USD

Balkan Assist Association for Partnership and Citizen Activity Support After the Elections: New Local Government and Citizens Cooperating for the Development of Levski Municipality...... 6260 USD

Association for Sustainable Development of Northwestern Bulgaria Civic Initiative to Support Regional Development in the Municipality of Vratza ...... 7247 USD

Diplomat – Balkan Center Foundation Training in Modern Administration Methods for Lukovit Municipality Staff...... 3973 USD

Marcianopol Foundation Improving the Capacity and Skills of Newly Elected Municipal Counselors in Elaborating and Implementing Municipal Policies ...... 4593 USD

Youth Tolerance Foundation Training Local Administrations in Municipal Strategy Implementation ...... 6969 USD

Partnership Foundation Establishing Democratic Practices and Social Skills in 47 municipalities in the Sliven Region...... 7100 USD

Association for the Development of Shoumen Tolerance and Effective Local Government ...... 5285 USD

Legal Aid Center Foundation Improving the Management Capacity of Municipal Counselor in Plovdiv...... 4293 USD

Tzarevgrad Turnov and the Capitals of Medieval Europe Foundation Improving the Efficiency of Municipal Servants in Veliko Turnovo Municipality through Professional Public Administration Training ...... 4345 USD

Transparent and Effective Local Government

Open Society Club – Varna “I Have the Right to Be Informed and Participate” ...... 9049 USD

31 Sustainable Development and Analysis Association Urban Development and Public Administration Centers...... 5445 USD

Intellect 21 Association Transparency and Civic Control over Municipal Property Management and Tender Procedures in Samokov Municipality ...... 5138 USD

Ludja Association Transparency of Local Government...... 4566 USD

Makaza 2002 Association Anticorruption in Municipal Property Management and Transparency of Tender Procedures in Momchilgrad Municipality...... 5831 USD

Professionals for the Prosperity of Rousse Association Rousse 21 Forum: Civic Involvement for Improved Urban Environment ...... 5034 USD

Creating Models for Overcoming Unemployment among Ethnic Minorities in Small and Medium-sized Communities

Giulchay Foundation Model for Planning Anticipatory Training for Unemployed with Minority Background...... 4700 USD

Unity – Roma Association Supporting Social Insurance Contributions for Agricultural Producers in Chalukovi Village, Rakovski Municipality ...... 3545 USD

Civic Initiative for Local Development Association Vocational Training for Unemployed Roma Women in Belogradchik Municipality...... 4717 USD

Civic Initiatives in Bulgarian Villages Competition

Open Society Club – Blagoevgrad Overcoming the Social Isolation of Senior Citizens by Developing Cultural Tourism in Mountainous and Borderline Regions...... 4856 USD

Open Society Club – Bourgas Alternative Labor Market Opportunities for Young People in Draganovo Village...... 2860 USD

Zornitsa Community Center Reviving and Developing Traditional Arts and Crafts in the Eastern Part of the Rose Valley ...... 3250 USD

Svetlina Community Center – Trakia village Giving Past Cultural Traditions a Future ...... 2799 USD

Svetlina Community Center – Presyan Village Information and Services Center ...... 2300 USD

Yantra Regional Association of Municipalities New Dialog ...... 5000 USD

Beloslava Association Improving the Employment Prospects and Facilitating the Social Adaptation of Young People in the Villages of Ezerovo, Razdelna and Strashimirovo in Beloslav Municipality...... 7694 USD

Civic Initiative for Local Development Association Alternative Labor Market Opportunities for Young Unemployed Roma Women...... 4871 USD

Civic Initiative for Sustainable Local Communities Sustainable Local Development...... 4240 USD

Civic Association for Regional Development Administrative Support for the Citizens of Oven Village...... 4888 USD

Social Support Association The NGO Sector as a Local Government Partner in Overcoming the Social Isolation of Elderly Citizens in Two Villages in Drianovo Municipality...... 4467 USD

Rhodope Women’s Club Encouraging the Social Involvement of Young People through Sustainable Use and Cultivation of Natural Resources...... 4498 USD

Youth Center for the Development of Belogradchik Municipality Reviving Past Traditions to Build a Better Present ...... 3013 USD

Civil Society Development Association Overcoming the Social Isolation of Senior Citizens in the Villages of Mirovo, Novo Gradishte, Tsarski Izvor and Blagoevo...... 4198 USD

Trakia Municipalities Regional Association Improving Local Government Capacity in the Municipalities of Djebel and Krumovgrad ...... 4464 USD

Rhodope 2001 Association Improving Information and Administrative Services Available to the Population of Three Remote Villages with Less than 500 Inhabitants in Yakoruda Municipality ...... 4928 USD

Worlds Association Promoting the Carpenter’s Trade as an Alternative for Unemployed People in Momchilgrad Municipality ...... 4942 USD

Khan Omurtag 2000 Association Improving the Employment Prospects of Unemployed Young People from Vrani Kon Village by Boosting Their Knowledge and Skills in Agriculture ...... 4597 USD

Empathy Association for Psychological Assistance Heritage and Modernity ...... 4184 USD

Ethnic Community Development and Integration Association Encouraging the Involvement of Young People from Brussartsi Municipality in Solving Their Own Problems...... 4930 USD

Civil Society Development Association Improving the Professional Capacity of Mayors and Municipal Officials to Support Local Development in Two Strajitza Municipalities ...... 4996 USD

Center for the Development of Nevrokop Region Creating information terminals at remote mountain villages ...... 4933 USD

Indi – Roma 97 Social Foundation Information Offices...... 3326 USD

The White Town Foundation Grannies Know What Textbooks Cannot Teach...... 4600 USD

Nangle 2000 Foundation for Regional Cultural Development Model for Overcoming the Social Isolation of Senior Citizens...... 4947 USD

Prosveta Community Center – Tenevo village Bridging Generations...... 3712 USD

Prosveta 1897 Community Center – Dolna Kremena Village Bridging Generations, Bridging Past and Future ...... 3846 USD

Stefan Karadja Community Center – Stefan Karadjovo Village Provision of information, administrative, and legal services. Offering distance learning opportunities for the population of Stefan Karadjovo village...... 3025 USD

Independent Private Association - Batishnitsa Promoting Rural Life...... 4374 USD

Guaranteeing Equal Participation of People with Disabilities in Public Life Competition

Family Support and Social Work Association Center for Information and Advocacy Services for Young People Suffering from Chronic Illness and Their Families ...... 3698 USD

Bulgarian Association of People with Intellectual Deficiencies - Pleven Granting Equal Opportunities ...... 2800 USD

Bulgarian Civic Initiatives Promotion Association Developing Public Policies for Creating an Accessible Urban Environment...... 4956 USD

National Social Rehabilitation Center Creating a Parents’ Council...... 4970 USD

Future Association Giving Hope to People with Disabilities ...... 4206 USD

New Voice 2002 Association They Should Be Given a Chance Too...... 2480 USD

Emotional and Psycho-social Research and Therapy Center Providing Community-based Social Services and Encouraging Integrated Employment of People with Mental Disabilities...... 3234 USD

Association for Supporting People with Mental Disabilities – Sofia Ramo (Shoulder) Information Center ...... 4400 USD

Association of People with Disabilities – Zlatograd Creating a Consultative Center for People with Disabilities...... 3804 USD

Appeal Foundation Creating Support Groups for People with Permanent Mental Disabilities ...... 3677 USD

Hope Center Effective Model for Schooling Children with Permanent Disabilities ...... 4120 USD

35 Civil Society Program

The mission of the Program is to strengthen civil society institutions in Bulgaria, namely NGOs and the media, and to contribute to developing modern, liberal public attitudes, based on respect for human rights. The Program aims at strengthening the capacity of non-governmental organizations as a legitimate representative of civil society with a clear social position and a proven expertise for equal participation in decision-making, as well as encouraging public policies for civic dialog and participation. The Civil Society Program has a proactive approach that involves assigning, co-funding and soliciting projects.

In 2003 the activity of the Civil Society Program was structured along several key priorities: • Civic participation and NGO development The Program identified as a problem the inadequate and sporadic exchange of information, resources, and successful practices, as well as the lack of specialized databases and donor coordination mechanisms and launched in 2002 a Pilot Donor Coordination Project. At the end of 2003 the Open Society Foundation – Sofia initiated the establishment of a Bulgarian Donors’ Forum, which brought together some of the most active donor organizations in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Donors’ Forum is an independent legal entity whose mission is to support the development of civil society and the sustainability of the non-governmental sector in Bulgaria by improving the conditions, in which NGOs operate, promoting self-regulation mechanisms, and coordinating donor policies. In 2003 the Civil Society Program launched a large-scale project for developing a Strategy and an Action Plan to achieve financial sustainability of the non-governmental sector in Bulgaria. The project pursues the following goals: 1. To conduct a comprehensive research of all important aspects that have a bearing on the financial sustainability of the nonprofit sector and to identify indicators for its development; 2. To adopt a comprehensive long-term strategy for improving the environment, in which nonprofit public benefit organizations operate; 3. To consolidate the efforts (advocacy, education, information, advisory, etc.) for implementing an agreed plan for supporting the financial sustainability of the non- governmental sector; 4. To attract new donors to Bulgaria. The partners of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia in this project include the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-profit Law, the Program and Analytical Center for European Law, the Bluelink Information Network, and the Bulgarian Donors’ Forum. • Human rights In 2003 the Program focused on developing and promoting effective models for eliminating discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, and gender, as well as for improving the status of vulnerable social groups and minorities.

36 OSF – Sofia continued its joint project “Children and Youth at Risk”, carried out in partnership with the King Baudouin Foundation - Belgium. With the financial assistance of the Civil Society Program, the Foundation for Psychological Support created the first consultation office for early juvenile delinquency prevention in the country. In 2003 the Open Society Foundation – Sofia participated (in partnership with the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee) in an open tender and was selected to become the National Focal Point of the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (an independent organization of the European Union). • Ethnic minorities In 2003 cooperating with the OSF Roma Program, the Civil Society Program continued to encourage the development and presence in the national media environment of printed and electronic products and media reflecting the specifics of the ethnic minorities in Bulgaria. An Internet portal of ethnic minorities in Bulgaria (www.ethnos.bg) was created under a joint project of the Open Society Foundation – Sofia, the National Council on Ethnic and Demographic Issues and the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee. The key task of the portal is to serve as a means for better communication among all partners who work to facilitate the integration of minorities in Bulgaria – central and local government institutions, non- governmental organizations, donors, media, and universities.

Projects, Initiated by the Program

Blueprint Project: Developing a Strategy for the Financial Sustainability of NGO Sector in Bulgaria...... 7019 USD

NGO Financial Sustainability Conference...... 1819 USD

National Discussion on Proposed Changes to the Nonprofit Legal Entities Act ...... 572 USD

Civil Society and Media Roundtable...... 461 USD

Tax Incentives for Donations Information Campaign...... 2265 USD

Creating an Internet Portal on Ethnic Minorities in Bulgaria (www.ethnos.bg)...... 1679 USD

Drafting and Publishing a Minority Protection Report...... 1015 USD

History and Memory. Bulgaria: Facing the Holocaust (collection of papers) ...... 2685 USD

Grants

Bulgarian Civic Initiatives Promotion Association Referendum and Local Democracy ...... 1770 USD

37 Open Society Club – Bourgas Preventing Repeated Criminal Offense among Young People with Romany Background...... 3600 USD

Open Society Club – Sliven Creating Equal Opportunities for Long-term Unemployed Young Women to Participate in Social and Economic Life...... 6935 USD

Open Society Club – Stara Zagora New Chance for Respectable Life...... 5222 USD

Rhodopea – Balkanica Association Young Mediators between Citizens and Local Government Institutions in Kirkovo Municipality ...... 10,791 USD

Parliamentary Center for European Law Creating an Integrated Model for a System of Standards in the Provision of Social Services to Disadvantaged Groups ...... 12,723 USD

NGO Center Foundation – Kurdjali Local Community Development in Eastern Rhodope Region ...... 3900 USD

Bulgarian Media Coalition Association Conference Marking the Fifth Anniversary of the Bulgarian Media Coalition Association...... 1513 USD

Association of Bulgarian Broadcasters Media Activities under the Bringing Europe Closer Project for Establishing an Information and Communication Network on Bulgaria’s Accession to EU ...... 10,750 USD

High Technology Business Incubator Association Creating and Promoting an Art Market Internet Portal...... 3456 USD

Media Projects

Agarta Ltd. Roma beyond Stereotype TV Program ...... 6206 USD

Boikos Ltd. Reason and Consciousness Radio Program on Melody Radio – Silistra...... 4000 USD

Bulgarian National Radio “Do We Know Each Other?” Radio Program on Bulgarian National Radio...... 5000 USD

Hayer (Armenians) Newspaper – a Tool for Preserving Identity in Modern Times...... 3000 USD

Aidun – 2, Kiazim Memishev Gionyul Youth Magazine in Turkish ...... 3500 USD

Erevan Publishing House Erevan Newspaper Integration and Disintegration or Preserving Ethnic Identity without Self- isolation ...... 3000 USD

Institute for Modern Arts Visual City – Stefan and His Sons in Law ...... 500 USD

21st Century Turkish Cultural Center Support for Kainak Magazine ...... 4000 USD

Utro Foundation Yeni Sabah Weekly ...... 3000 USD

Center for Aromanian Language and Culture Aromanians in Bulgaria Magazine Ethnic Communities and Languages on the Balkans ...... 1500 USD

Bulgarian National Radio – Shoumen Radio Program and Training for Roma Journalists: Ethnic Groups – Integral Part of Civil Society...... 3000 USD

Roma Youth Organization Publishing O Roma Magazine...... 7960 USD

Roma World Foundation Romano Dunias – Roma World TV Program on 7 Days TV...... 7486 USD

Media Development Center Annual Award of the Association of Investigative Journalists ...... 4850 USD

39 National Network of Partner Organizations

The Program aims to sustain the partnership capacity of more than 20 NGOs affiliated to the Open Society Foundation – Sofia: the community-based Open Society Clubs in the country and NGOs active in areas such as cultural policy (Soros Center for Cultural Policies), media (Media Development Center), education (Step by Step Program Foundation, National Debates Association, Bulgarian Reading Association), EU integration (Program and Analytical Center for European Law, The European Institute), NGO law (Bulgarian Center for Not-For-Profit Law). In 2003 the activities of the Program were focused on: • Capacity building for participation in EU programs and projects. The clear EU membership perspective of Bulgaria requires better knowledge and new skills in all institutions. Building on the experience of partners working on EU-funded projects, in 2003 OSF-Sofia provided training on EU programs, tailored to NGOs needs. The program was developed by a team of experts of OSF-Sofia’s EU Integration Program. To complement this effort, OSF-Sofia supported and co-funded projects of partner organizations, implemented under various EU programs. A recognition of the network’s potential in EU integration was the approval of its project for the development of an information and communication network on Bulgaria’s EU accession. The project was funded by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Communication Strategy for Bulgaria’s Accession to the European Union. • Supporting the National Information Centers Network. The Information Network that currently consists of 13 centers practically covering all regions in Bulgaria already has a history of 13 years. The Centers provide services to a wide range of clients – NGOs, local government, students, faculty and education institutions, and have recently attracted the attention of the business community. In 2003 the Network was involved in a number of national surveys on the quality of secondary education, ethnic tolerance, the NGO sector. Traditionally, centers participate in various national campaigns (fundraising, public awareness) and are often the first contact point of national and international organizations that need access on the regional level. In 2002 and 2003 OSF- Sofia supported the development of new services – some centers have specialized in international education, others in EU programs, and all of them work actively with NGOs and local governments. OSF-Sofia encourages the individual centers to multiply new services on the network level. • Developing the partnership capacity of the organizations. In 2003 OSF-Sofia invested in the professional training for the partners’ staff, in improving the networks’ communication channels (information centers, biweekly newsletter, web-sites, annual meetings), in partnership projects also attracting funding from other donors. Currently partners have excellent working relationship with local governments, NGOs, media, and public institutions in various areas. In 2002 and 2003 with the shift to more policy-oriented activities a new focus in the work of the specialized partner NGOs, most of them based in Sofia, was the work with government institutions.

40 Projects, Initiated by the Program

Training on EU Programs for the staff of the Open Society partner organizations in Bulgaria...... 6119 USD

“EU Closer” Workshop for the Opens Society Information Centers Network and partners implementing a project under the Communication Strategy for Bulgaria’s Accession to the European Union and a meeting of the partner network...... 5316 USD

Training on Accounting for NGOs for the staff of the Open Society partner organizations in Bulgaria...... 580 USD

Annual Meeting of the Open Society Partner Network ...... 886 USD

Open Society Newsletter...... 8109 USD

Grants

Open Society Information Centers Network

Open Society Club – Blagoevgrad ...... 3653 USD Open Society Club – Bourgas...... 4153 USD Open Society Club – Gabrovo ...... 2600 USD Open Society Club – Rousse...... 4153 USD Open Society Club – Sliven...... 3653 USD Open Society Club – Smolyan...... 3653 USD Open Society Club – Stara Zagora...... 4212 USD Open Society Club – Varna...... 4212 USD Open Society Club – Veliko Turnovo...... 5000 USD Open Society Information Center - Vidin...... 2161 USD Citizenship Foundation/ Open Society Information Center - Plovdiv...... 4153 USD Center for Youth and Student Initiatives/ Open Society Information Center - Shoumen ...... 4506 USD NGO Center / Open Society Information Center - Kurdjali ...... 3712 USD

Open Society Club – Gabrovo Strategy for the Development of English Language Teaching activities at the Open Society Information Center ...... 15,137 USD

Open Society Club – Veliko Turnovo Institutional Support ...... 5555 USD

Open Society Information Centers Network Office Rent...... 43,409 USD

41 Roma Program

The main goal of the Program in 2003 is to facilitate the full integration of Roma into Bulgarian society and to promote interethnic tolerance in society. The Program has supported projects, which provide for equal participation in political and public life, enhancing the education of Roma, promoting traditional Romany culture, encouraging the development of Roma media. In 2003, the Roma program continued strengthening the network of Roma Community Centers – a well-established model for mediation between community and local government. The new priority of the Roma Program was the joint initiative with the Local Government Reform Program to support NGO projects, which offer models for overcoming unemployment in small and medium-sized municipalities with predominantly Roma population. The goal of the initiative is to help decrease the number of people dependent on social relief payments and provide training and re-training opportunities for young people from the Roma community, taking into consideration local labor market needs. The Roma Program and the Civil Society Program co-organized the competition: “Promoting the Development of Media Products on Ethnic Minority Issues in Bulgaria”. Opening the media, creating an objective image of Roma and giving trustworthy coverage of their problems contributes to increasing their own self-respect and improving the general attitude towards this ethnic group. The Program encourages the study and popularization of Romany history and culture, supports traditional cultural events of the Roma community, and promotes the preservation of traditional Roma practices and customs. By pursuing this priority, the Program strives to encourage Roma in their efforts to rediscover their cultural identity and to publicize the values of their culture among the majority. The Roma program supported traditional Romany culture events, such as the National Festival for Roma Music and Dance in Stara Zagora, as well as ethnographic research studies in small isolated regions. Best Project: Developing and strengthening of the network of Roma Community Centers, which have already emerged as a mediator between the Roma community and the local government. The Roma Community Centers address the most pressing problems confronting Roma: unemployment, social issues, education and healthcare, housing, equal access to public services. Some of the centers focus on improving the information services provided to Roma. The RCCs fill in important niches and perform activities, most of which are of vital significance for the members of the Roma community they serve. The people who work at the centers – coordinators, consultants, volunteers, etc. – are mainly Roma, but there are also representatives of other ethnic groups, which makes RCCs a contributing factor for promoting integration. The centers cooperate effectively with local governments and NGOs, which in turn creates conditions for replicating the results of their work. The long-term goal of the Program is to help Roma Community Centers emerge as institutions to which local governments would delegate certain informational and/or social functions.

42 Projects, Initiated by the Program

Meeting of Roma Community Center Teams ...... 4306 USD

Publishing the Book “The Role of Electronic Media in Roma Minority Integration”...... 83 USD

Scholarships for Ethnic Minority Students...... 4950 USD

Grants

Roma Community Centers

Roma Youth Organization Roma Community Center – Sliven...... 11,272 USD

Future for Roma Foundation Information and Consulting Center for Roma Population in Dupnitsa Municipality...... 7762 USD

Doverie – RK Association Roma Community Center – Assenovgrad ...... 7428 USD

Cultural Center for Social Integration Association Ansel 2003 Second International Roma Festival for Peace - Vidin ...... 4050 USD

Obnovlenie Association – Varna Roma Community Center – Varna ...... 8520 USD

Nadejda Association of Roma Women and Children Roma Community Center – Vidin...... 7615 USD

Nadejda Union of Socially Disadvantaged Roma Roma Community Center – Bourgas ...... 7719 USD

43 Ethnocultural Dialog Foundation Center of the Community for Integrating Roma in Bulgarian Society – Sofia...... 8700 USD

Minority Integration and Development Foundation Roma Community Center – Yambol ...... 7434 USD

Roma Office Foundation – Montana Roma Community Center – Vulchedrum ...... 9218 USD

Napreduk Interethnic Cooperation Foundation – Pazardjik Community Center – Pazardjik ...... 10,080 USD

Foundation for Regional Development Roma Community Center – Stolipinovo ...... 9830 USD

Future for Roma Association Roma Community Center – Dupnitsa ...... 824 USD

Doverie – RK Association Roma Community Center – Loznitsa Neighborhood, Assenovgrad ...... 484 USD

Promoting the Development Media Products on Ethnic Minority Issues in Bulgaria

Roma Democratic Union – Sofia Publishing Akana Newspaper ...... 5500 USD

Roma Cultural and Information Center A Nation that Does Not Know its Past Has No Future – Radio Program on Dobrich Radio...... 5999 USD

Janglipe Association Teen Club Youth TV Program...... 7000 USD

Andral Foundation Publishing Andral Magazine ...... 6000 USD

44 Khan Sluntse Foundation Medley Horse Radio Program on Net Radio ...... 5000 USD

Television World Foundation Establishing Categories of Radio and TV Programs on Interethnic Tolerance in the Framework of Albena 2003 International Media Events ...... 4860 USD

A Joint Competition with Local Government Reform Program Creating Models for Overcoming Unemployment among Ethnic Minorities in Small- and Medium-sized Municipalities

Open Society Club – Blagoevgrad Creating Sustainable Models for Cooperation among NGOs, Local Governments and Vocational Schools to Promote the Employment of Roma in Simitli Municipality ...... 4950 USD

Roma – Berk Association Providing Vocational Training and Creating Employment Opportunities for Unemployed Roma in Berkovitsa Municipality...... 4100 USD

Integro Foundation Creating a Model for Overcoming Unemployment among Ethnic Minorities and Establishing an Equal Dialog with Municipal Authorities in Gurmen Municipality...... 4927 USD

Culture Projects

Ethnocultural Studies Center – Razgrad Roma in the Ludogorie Region ...... 4825 USD

Diversity Balkan Foundation for Intercultural Education and Tolerance The Folklore of Horhane Roma and Kardarashi Roma in Bulgaria...... 3890 USD

International Center on Minority Issues Creating Database of Publications and Implemented Projects on Roma Issues...... 6000 USD

45 Initiative and Tolerance Foundation Balkan Roma Music Forum ...... 2607 USD

Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialog and Tolerance Studying the Ethnic and Social Characteristics of Roma Who Do Not Identify Themselves as Members of the Roma Community...... 4994 USD

National Festival for Roma Music and Song Association Traditional Romany Culture and Public Dialog: Roma Program...... 5835 USD

Other Grants

Slavka Yanakieva Stefanova Nine-month Scholarship for the 2002/2003 Academic Year ...... 225 USD

Academic English and American Studies Foundation Translation into English of the Play “Mild-tempered Folly” by Boyan Papazov, Dedicated to Roma Culture in the Context of National Cultures in the Globalization Era ...... 560 USD

46 Education Program

In 2003 the strategic goal of the Education Program was to support the process of reforming higher and general education in Bulgaria by facilitating changes in the content and organization of the teaching and learning process; providing equal access to quality education for everybody, and involving society in the process of discussing, developing, and monitoring the implementation of education strategies and policies. The Program works in the following key priority areas: higher education, education policies, and general education. These priorities are addressed through a series of projects initiated by the Program, carried out in partnership with other organizations, or solicited under project competitions. • In 2003, the Education Program launched a large-scale project for developing a Higher Education Strategy and a new Higher Education Act. The key goal of the project is to elaborate a long-term strategy for modernizing higher education and revising related legislation. The project is based on an analytical research study under the Prospects of the Bulgarian Market for Education Services Project, carried out by the Center for Education Strategies. The project draws upon the knowledge of a wide range of experts who have a long-standing experience in higher education policy development. • In 2002, the Association for Social Investigations started working on a project for monitoring and evaluation of activities under the Education Modernization Project, financed by a World Bank loan and implemented directly by the Ministry of Education and Science. The periodic monitoring reports gave recommendations and provided guidelines for improving project management with a view to achieving planned goals and expected results. The evaluation made in the reports matched that of the National Accounting Office and the regular reports submitted by World Bank experts. The conclusions of the monitoring team provided the basis for developing a project entitled “Institutional Resources for (Non)Implementing Social Reforms”, which resulted in the publication of the book “The State against the Reforms”. The two projects revealed the mechanism for institutional resistance against reform efforts, but also helped identify a package of practical measures in support of societal reforms. The Education Program organized two project competitions targeted to improving the quality of higher education: • Modernizing the Higher Education Content and Methodology in Social Sciences and the Humanities • Strategic Regional Cooperation among Higher Education Institutions in the Region. More than 20 projects of leading Bulgarian universities were supported in an effort to promote and strengthen the intellectual, research, and teaching capacity in Bulgaria and in the region. The Program also provided scholarships to 128 ethnic minority students. The Education Policies Priority is an essential element of the Education Program strategy and the project implemented under this priority are a powerful instrument for change. • In 2003 the Program supported the start of a project for developing a strategy for external assessment at the end of grades 4, 8, and 12, based on the national education standards for the content of education in Bulgarian language and literature and mathematics. The project is implemented by a consortium of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Technologies and the Department of Pre-school and Primary School Education at the University of Sofia with the assistance of international experts in student

47 assessment. The key objective of the project is to develop a framework for external assessment of students’ achievements at the end of grades 4, 8, and 12, based on the national education standards. This framework will provide the basis for developing education policies towards quality assurance in secondary education. Several strategic projects could be highlighted in the sphere of general education. • The Open Society Schools Project initiated by the Education Program aims at developing a system of quality and quantity indicators for assessing quality in Bulgarian high school education. The research covers 14 Regional Inspectorates on education and more than 200 schools. The results of the project are a tool for exercising civic control over the development of each school. • The Program supported a project for developing and launching a widely available qualification program in school management for school directors in Bulgaria, which is being developed by the Balkan Colleges Foundation. The strategic goal of the project is to professionalize education management in the country. Training will be provided to 125 school directors and municipal experts on education from five pilot regions. • An important effort of the Program towards strengthening capacity at the local level and supporting the decentralization of general education was the competition “Monitoring and Evaluation of Curriculum, Study Plans and Textbooks for First Grade”, targeted to Regional Inspectorates on Education. Six Inspectorates were supported. Equal access to quality education for Roma children and desegregation of education have always been a priority for the OSF Education Program. • In 2003, the Program launched a large-scale project for improving the access to quality education and facilitating desegregation of Roma, which is being implemented in the town of Lom, the village of Glojene, and the town of Blagoevgrad. The project is carried out in partnership with the Step by Step Program Foundation, the Bulgarian Reading Association, and the Roma – Lom Foundation, and will be implemented over two years. • The project “Training Education Administration in Efficient Roma Integration Management” is targeted to identifying mechanisms to support local governments in the process of desegregating Roma education. The project is implemented by the Interethnic Initiative for Human Rights Foundation and is carried out in seven pilot municipalities.

Projects, Initiated by the Program

In Partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science

Developing a Comprehensive Program for Pre-service and In-service Teacher Training for Teaching School Subjects in Foreign Languages...... 3365 USD

Piloting a Comprehensive Program for Pre-service and In-service Teacher Training for Teaching School Subjects in Foreign Languages...... 1757 USD

Supplementary Grant to Higher Education Component of the Education Modernization Project ...... 4989 USD

Developing a National In-service Training System for School Directors ...... 5064 USD (in Partnership with the French Cultural Institute at the Embassy of France)

48 One-week Training Course for Mother Tongue Teaching, Romany Language...... 5086 USD

Other Projects, Initiated by Program

Open Society Schools System of Quality and Quantity Indicators for Assessing Quality in High School Education...... 5513 USD

Roma Schools in Bulgaria Research Project ...... 1552 USD

Monitoring and Evaluating Projects for Improving the Access to Education for Children from the Minorities, Supported in 2001 ...... 1486 USD

Improving the Access to Quality Education and Facilitating Desegregation of Roma

Education Program and Roma Program ...... 4791 USD

Bulgarian Reading Association...... 21,906 USD

Step by Step Program Foundation...... 94,479 USD

Open Society Club – Blagoevgrad ...... 1380 USD

Roma Foundation – Lom ...... 2580 USD

Producing a Project Video Documentary ...... 761 USD

Grants

Modernizing the Higher Education Content and Methodology in Social Sciences and the Humanities

Refugee Law Clinic Association Academic Course in Refugee Law...... 3207 USD

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Literature New Approaches and Methods for Higher Education in Balkan Identity Issues...... 248 USD

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Philosophic Research Introducing Modern Interpretative Approaches to Philosophic Research and Education ...... 4507 USD

St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia Status and Prospects for Master Degree Education at the Department of History...... 4480 USD

49 “Bibliotheca Slavica 2” – Electronic Library for Bulgarian Slavic Studies and Resources in Education ...... 4400 USD Series of Lectures on Philosophy, Literature and Literary Theory...... 198 USD

Neofit Rilski Southwestern University International Seminar on Balkan Studies “Balkan Worlds and Identities – Master Degree Program in Balkan Studies” ...... 2740 USD Distance Learning Model at the Department of Law and History ...... 3485 USD

Young Bankers Team Modernizing Banking Course Content and Methodology ...... 3700 USD

Modernizing Social Sciences in Bulgaria Project Team Supplementary Grant to Modernizing Social Sciences in Bulgaria Project: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Harmonization with European Standards (under contract No 20/04.10.2002 on World Bank Higher Education Reform Loan Agreement) ...... 410 USD

Maria Stoicheva, Ph.D., Blagovest Mollov, and Team Developing a Philosophy of Language Course (Analytical Tradition)...... 227 USD

St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia Aneta Karageorgieva and Team Developing an Academic Course in Aesthetics of Knowledge...... 2316 USD

Working Group from the Chair of Classic Philology at the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia Developing a New Curriculum and Content in Latin Language Teaching for the Archaeology Major...... 3060 USD

Working Group at the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia Department of Philosophy University Course in Internaional Politics and Conflicts in Southeastern Europe...... 1800 USD

Anastasia Nicheva Petrova Department of Philology: Balkan Linguistics ...... 1311 USD

Boicho Nikolov Kokinov Knowledge in Context...... 168 USD

Gergana Petkova Pencheva-Apostolova Innovative Multimedia Methodology in English Literature Teaching for the English Philology Major ...... 706 USD

Grigor Borislavov Grigorov Medieval Gesture System in the Middle Ages in Bulgaria ...... 1500 USD

50 Daniela Vasileva Kalkandjieva Orthodox Churches in Modern International Relations...... 900 USD

Elena Tomova Tacheva-Bumbarova 19th-century Bulgarian Culture Centers Abroad...... 1327 USD

Ivan Bonev Gatsov Archaeology of Consciousness...... 421 USD

Maria Ivanova Ivanova Balkan Ethnology Training Program for Students in Ethnology Major at the St. Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Turnovo ...... 1325 USD

Maya Dimitrova Grekova The City from Local Government Perspective...... 796 USD

Moris Avram Grinberg New Visual Technologies in Internet Learning ...... 47 USD

Nikolay Hristov Bliznakov University Course in Futurology and Social Studies for Students in Social Studies ...... 1380 USD

Svetla Angelova Strashimiorva The Anthropology Deficiency of Social Sciences Education...... 888 USD

Svetlozar Kirilov Ivanov New Academic Program on Post-socialist Transition and Media ...... 1266 USD

Strategic Partnership in Higher Education on the Balkans and in Southeastern Europe

New Bulgarian University Stone Age Industries in the Southern Balkans...... 7262 USD WEB-based Teaching Methods in Communications and Design ...... 3413 USD

Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv Chair of Ethnology and Social Sciences: Developing an Academic Course on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Partnership with the University of Skopje ...... 6950 USD

St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia Slavic Philologies Department: Comparative Analysis of Key National Media in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia...... 7170 USD

Neofit Rilski Southwestern University, Center for Intercultural Social and Education Communication: Neighborliness and Borders – Inter-religious and Interethnic Marriages in Bulgaria, Albania and Macedonia ...... 5905 USD

Intercultural Social and Education Interaction Center: Center for Interethnic and Social Relations Isolated Villages on the Balkans ...... 9000 USD

Interuniversity Fund

Todor Kableshkov Higher School of Transportation Developing Quality Management and Quality Assurance Tools Consistent with ISO 9001 Standard...... 3758 USD

New Virtual Environment Activities of the Center for Science, Information and Academic Exchange at the Todor Kableshkov Higher School of Transportation...... 1092 USD

St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia Department of Philosophy: Improving the Quality of Education in Master Degree Programs...... 5000 USD Resource Center at the Department of Philosophy...... 7419 USD

Thracian University Medical Research and Evidence and Evidential Medicine ...... 3195 USD

Higher Education and Education Policies

Association for Social Investigations Institutional Resources for (Non)Implementing Social Reforms ...... 18,240 USD

Association of Doctoral Students in Bulgaria Integrated Database of Doctoral Students in Bulgaria and Academic Discussion Forum ...... 8392 USD

Higher Institute of Medicine – Pleven Chair of General Medicine “Modernizing Content in General Medicine and Introducing New Teaching and Evaluation Forms and Methods” ...... 65 USD

New Bulgarian University Opera Singing Master Class of Raina Kabaivanska...... 510 USD

St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia Seminar on Chemistry Teaching in the Context of Education Reform ...... 445 USD

Plovdiv University Foundation Evaluation and Accreditation Criteria of College Educational Programs...... 6253 USD

52 Open Society Information Centers Joint Initiatives with the American University in Bulgaria...... 4876 USD

Agricultural University of Plovdiv Institutional Quality Assurance System ...... 166 USD

Developing a Strategy for External Student Assessment at the End of Grades 4, 8 and 12

St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia Strategy for External Assessment at the end of Grades 4 and 8, Based on the National Education Standards for the Content of Education in Bulgarian Language and Literature, Mathematics, and ICT ...... 31,535 USD

Monitoring and Evaluation of Curriculum, Study Plans and Textbooks for First Grade. A Competition for Regional Inspectorates on Education

Regional Inspectorate on Education – Silistra Student Evaluation Model for First Grade in Bulgarian Language and Literature, Mathematics and Bulgarian History and Geography ...... 3321 USD

Regional Inspectorate on Education – Varna New Textbooks for First Grade – Monitoring and Evaluation in the Class Environment ...... 3039 USD

Regional Inspectorate on Education – Vratza Monitoring and Evaluation of Curriculum, Study Plans and Textbooks for First Grade...... 3612 USD

Regional Inspectorate on Education – Plovdiv Strengthening the Capacity Regional Inspectorate on Education to Support Teachers in the Context of Education Reforms...... 3468 USD

Regional Inspectorate on Education – Pleven Monitoring and Evaluation of Curriculum, Study Plans and Textbooks for First Grade...... 2958 USD

Regional Inspectorate on Education – Veliko Turnovo Analysis and Evaluation of School Documentation for First Grade – Practical Aspects ...... 3304 USD

Equal Access to Quality Education

Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialog and Tolerance Intercultural Education Strategy...... 5623 USD Roma Folklore in Bulgarian Schools – Replicating a Successful Practice ...... 5530 USD

53 Diversity Balkan Foundation for Intercultural Cooperation Third National State Summer School in Roma Language, Traditions and Culture...... 6890 USD

Konstantin Fotinov Primary School – Lom Support Classes for Roma Children in Grades 4, 7 and 8 to Facilitate Transition to Higher Education Level...... 115 USD

Zelenikovo Social Home for Children Interactive of Teaching Bulgarian Language to Institutionalized Roma Children...... 34 USD

Advisory Center for Antidiscrimination Evaluation of Teaching Materials Evaluating Textbooks from an Intercultural Evaluation Perspective...... 4583 USD

Youth Education Center – Pazardjik “First Steps – Equal Start”...... 193 USD

Roma Youth Organization “I Can Do More” ...... 3752 USD Establishing a School Board at the Hadji Mina Pashov General Education School...... 165 USD

Doverie – RK Association Institutional Support for the School Board at the Nikola Vaptsarov Primary School – Assenovgrad – Second Phase ...... 490 USD

Sofia Pedagogical Club Association The School – Home for Everybody...... 4564 USD

Hristo Botev General Education School – Razgrad Equal Chance for First-graders (follow-up grant)...... 349 USD

Interethnic Initiative for Human Rights Foundation Training Education Administration in Efficient Roma Integration Management ...... 18 313 USD

General Education

Balkan Colleges Foundation Qualification Program in School Management for School Directors in Bulgaria ...... 18,369 USD

Minerva Foundation Training Teachers from Sofia in the World and Personality Program...... 5190 USD

Paideia Foundation Civic Education and Civic Participation in School Management ...... 18,937 USD

54 European Lessons – Third Phase ...... 3143 USD

Values Foundation Second National History Competition for Students in Grade 8 through 12 ...... 695 USD

Education Initiatives Foundation “Should We Be Afraid of Our Neighbors?” Majorities and Minorities in History Textbooks in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary ...... 4240 USD

French Cultural Institute in Sofia Internship for Teachers in France ...... 8050 USD Modernizing the Teaching of Subjects in French Language...... 1902 USD Internship for Teachers in Vocational High Schools in France ...... 2797 USD

Step by Step Program Foundation Research and International Relations...... 23,000 USD Institutional Support ...... 27,000 USD Unprejudiced Education International Training Program...... 30,000 USD Mentorship Project...... 10,000 USD

National Debates Association Participation at the General Assembly of the International Debates Association...... 5000 USD

Scholarships for Roma Students Studying in Profile-oriented Classes of General Education High Schools, in Vocational Schools or in High Schools in Culture and the Arts...... 18,793 USD

Scholarships for Ethnic Minority Students in Bulgarian Higher Education Institutions and Colleges Adrian Adrianov Andreev...... 450 USD Ailin Zekerie Iliaz...... 450 USD Aiten Iuseinova Rushidova...... 450 USD Aishe Beitinova Cholakova ...... 450 USD Aishe Destanova Torbeva...... 360 USD Aishe Djemalova Mediarova...... 360 USD Aishe Ismetova Drenkova...... 450 USD Aishe Mustafa Miumiun ...... 450 USD Alexander Plamenov Bratanov ...... 450 USD Ali Ahmed Purshimolla ...... 315 USD Ali Seliahtin Ali...... 450 USD Amdie Reshidova Mehova ...... 450 USD Angel Lilkov Ivanov...... 360 USD Asan Isaev Belev...... 450 USD Ahmed Hiusmenov Kokoev...... 450 USD Bairie Fahredin Iusein ...... 450 USD Belgin Zekerie Iliaz...... 450 USD

55 Bilial Iuseinov Imamov ...... 315 USD Bojana Kostova Nedialkova ...... 360 USD Borislava Georgieva Lesova ...... 315 USD Vaide Reshidova Mehova ...... 450 USD Vaide Shaban Turchin...... 360 USD Valentin Metodiev Chokoev...... 450 USD Vania Stefanova Ivanova ...... 450 USD Velizar Simeonov Peshev...... 450 USD Venera Nikolaeva Manova...... 360 USD Vildan Halipova Chausheva ...... 450 USD Genka Ilieva Atanasova ...... 360 USD Giulhana Osman Molaali...... 315 USD Giulshen Aptieva Mehmedova ...... 450 USD Giunan Shaban Iashar ...... 360 USD Danail Borisov Naidenov...... 360 USD Daniela Asenova Kacarova...... 225 USD Daniela Iurieva Pideva ...... 360 USD Daria Georgieva Golova...... 360 USD Djanan Mehmed Chilingir...... 450 USD Dimo Ivanov Angelov ...... 360 USD Diana Vasileva Staneva...... 315 USD Diana Mitkova Ilieva ...... 360 USD Donika Borisova Simeonova ...... 360 USD Ekaterina Zdravkova Andreeva...... 315 USD Eleonora Ivanova Nikolova...... 450 USD Emel Zia Hasanova...... 360 USD Emilia Metodieva Kardasheva ...... 450 USD Ervin Murtazov Mehmedov...... 450 USD Ivan Naidenov Saliev ...... 450 USD Ivanka Vasileva Angelova ...... 315 USD Ivanka Ilieva Siderova...... 450 USD Ilian Asenov Pentov...... 450 USD Iliana Chavdarova Ilieva...... 315 USD Irizan Asimova Imamova ...... 450 USD Iordan Plamenov Djalev...... 360 USD Iordanka Ilieva Stefanova ...... 315 USD Ildiz Iulmaz Hasan...... 450 USD Kamelia Slavcheva Filipova...... 315 USD Kostadin Georgiev Marinov...... 450 USD Lililia Plamenova Ananieva ...... 360 USD Lyubomir Asenov Bairakov...... 360 USD Lyubomira Angelova Boianova ...... 450 USD Margarita Krasimirova Iordanova...... 450 USD Mariana Milcheva Nikolova...... 360 USD Marina Ognyanova Mitkova ...... 450 USD Martin Alexiev Pinev...... 225 USD Maia Velinova Gmitrichova ...... 360 USD

56 Maia Julianova Chukova...... 450 USD Meriem Servet Rafi ...... 450 USD Miglena Angelova Karova...... 360 USD Mima Atanasova Todorova...... 360 USD Mihail Angelov Bozev...... 360 USD Mihail Velikov Mihov...... 450 USD Mustafa Zaid Rashid ...... 450 USD Nadejda Georgieva Miteva...... 450 USD Nadejda Serafimova Iordanova ...... 315 USD Nadjibe Mustafova Shekirova...... 315 USD Nadjibe Sheinova Talipova...... 450 USD Nadie Djamalova Parusheva...... 450 USD Nasia Shekirova Madjarova ...... 450 USD Nasko Miroslavov Borisov ...... 450 USD Natalia Krasimirova Shankova ...... 450 USD Natalia Nikolaeva Ivanova ...... 360 USD Nedjibe Ibraimova Sherifova...... 450 USD Neriman Mustafa Djebir ...... 360 USD Neriman Mustafa Orceva...... 315 USD Nefi Salihova Elancheva ...... 450 USD Nikola Mihailov Kolev ...... 360 USD Nikolay Alekov Dospatliev ...... 360 USD Nikolay Plamenov Ananiev ...... 360 USD Nikolina Stefanova Chausheva...... 360 USD Olga Vencislavova Uzunova ...... 315 USD Orhan Ibraimov Arnaudov...... 450 USD Ralitsa Slavcheva Simova...... 315 USD Ramiz Ramizov Arnaudov ...... 450 USD Rasha Iskurova Lanteva...... 315 USD Raia Daniova Rosneva...... 360 USD Redjep Redjepov Baldjiev ...... 360 USD Reneta Plavenova Rushidova...... 315 USD Rositsa Kumanova Teneva ...... 450 USD Rumiana Iskrenova Vakliova ...... 450 USD Sadeta Djamalova Parusheva ...... 450 USD Sando Valentinov Sandov...... 450 USD Silvie Salihova Kamberova ...... 450 USD Sylvia Fidanova Asova...... 450 USD Slaviana Stefanova Petrova ...... 315 USD Spartak Viktorov Sotirov ...... 360 USD Stoyan Nedkov Alexiev...... 450 USD Tunai Tunchaev Rahvaliev ...... 450 USD Umer Medjid Medjid...... 450 USD Fatme Barusheva Mehmedova...... 450 USD Fatme Medjitova Demirova...... 360 USD Fatme Ramizova Arnaudova...... 450 USD Fatme Salihova Trampova...... 315 USD

57 Feride Feridova Paspalova ...... 450 USD Feride Hasan Halil ...... 360 USD Halim Miumiun Halim...... 450 USD Halime Nihat Adem ...... 360 USD Hatidje Djemal Medar ...... 360 USD Hafize Djevdet Adem...... 450 USD Hripsime Kevork Kerpichian ...... 450 USD Hussein Mehmed Hussein...... 360 USD Julia Dobreva Sokolova...... 315 USD

58 International Education Programs

In the framework of the established partnership with the Open Society Institute in New York and Budapest, the Central European University, Budapest, universities in the UK and the USA, OSF administered for Bulgaria more that 10 international education programs that provide access to opportunities for research, professional and curriculum development, academic visits, graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral studies, summer schools. Scholarships are offered for university faculty, graduates and students.

Central European University (CEU) – Budapest, Hungary

Vilimir Yordanov Yordanov ÌA in Economics ...... 197 USD

CEU Summer University (SUN)

Philosophy and Science in the Greco-Roman World Angel Stefanov Stefanov...... 274 USD Bozhidar Antonov Ivanov ...... 277 USD Vladimir Vladimirov Marinov ...... 274 USD Daniela Ivanova Ivanova ...... 272 USD Yelis Erolova Ahmedova ...... 274 USD Doroteia Veselinova Anguelova ...... 274 USD Monika Georgieva Portokalska...... 274 USD Yulia Aleksandrova Vaseva-Dikova ...... 272 USD

The Roma: Bringing Together Historical, Anthropological and Linguistic Approaches Dean Dimitrov Kolev...... 294 USD Maria Georgieva Kantardzhieva...... 291 USD Svetlina Krasimirova Denova...... 294 USD Teodora Sivkova Krumova...... 294 USD

Uses and Abuses of the Middle Ages in Central and Eastern Europe: From Heritage to Politics Dimitår Jordanov Dimitrov ...... 274 USD Maria Georgieva Baramova...... 272 USD

Ethnic Relations and Democratization in Eastern Europe (Secession, Federalism and Minority Rights) Maxim Lvovich Kokushkin ...... 222 USD Plamen Dimitrov Petrov ...... 294 USD

59 Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations and Local Financial Management Nadezhda Georgieva Blagoeva...... 272 USD Nadezhda Drumeva Bobcheva ...... 272 USD

Visual Studies Today Nevena Ivanova Ivanova ...... 291 USD Todor Hristov Dechev...... 294 USD

Galina Todorova Purcheva-Bisset Catastrophes and Globalization...... 274 USD

Galina Todorova Stoianova-Zapartova Managing Conflict and Fostering Democratic Dialogue...... 291 USD

Nadezhda Dimitrova Kyuchukova Agrarian Institutions Analysis...... 277 USD

Petar Dimitrov Kanev Islam and the West...... 274 USD

Preslava Ilieva Stoeva Globalizations, Anti-globalizations and IGO - Civil Society Partnerships in a Multi-ethnic World ...... 277 USD

Svetlana Velidonkova Antova Toleration and Multiculturalism: Western and Eastern Perspectives...... 272 USD

Curriculum Resource Center

One Week CRC Visits, Budapest Medieval Studies Session Daniela Vasileva Kalkandzhieva ...... 314 USD Ivelin Argirov Ivanov...... 240 USD Rosina Liudmilova Kostova ...... 240 USD Stefan Krasimirov Stanchev...... 232 USD

Diana Marinova Marinova Legal Studoes Session...... 276 USD

Mincho Hristov Kuminev Media Studies Session ...... 234 USD

Course Development Competition Elena Petrova Andonova ...... 242 USD Simeon Evstatiev Evstatiev...... 242 USD

60 Undergraduate Exchange Program, OSI-New York

Miryana Angelova Atanassova Pre-Departure Orientation Budapest, Hungary...... 758 USD

Polya Toneva Lessova Pre-Departure Orientation Budapest, Hungary...... 140 USD

Vera Vesselinova Petkanchin Pre-Departure Orientation Budapest, Hungary...... 778 USD

UK Scholarships of the Open Society Institute – Budapest and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (OSI/Chevening UK Scholarships)

Julia Dimitrova Staykova Genre in the English Renaissance University of Oxford...... 647 USD

Lilia Zheleva Petkova Demographic Situation in Bulgaria and Romania University of Oxford...... 389 USD

Milan Georgiev Pandev LLM in International Economic Law University of Warwick ...... 509 USD

Milena Georgieva Stateva MA in Social and Political Thought University of Warwick ...... 508 USD

Pavlina Stefkova Stoykova ÌA in International Relations University of Manchester...... 655 USD

Petar Yordanov Petrov ÌA in European Politics University of Manchester...... 655 USD

Ralitza Yotova Yotova ÌA in European Politics University of Manchester...... 655 USD

61 Sandra Danailova Romenska ÌA in Educational Research University of Warwick ...... 508 USD

Stanislava Ivanova Nikolova ÌA in Political economy of Russia and Eastern Europe SSEES UCL, London ...... 303 USD

Vesselin Angelov Paskalev Parliamentary Committees in Eastern Europe University of Oxford...... 639 USD

Vladimir Petrov Shopov History of the British Labour Party University of Oxford...... 731 USD

Oxford/Cambridge Hospitality Scheme

Diana Dimitrova Popova Teaching English as a Foreign Language and Culture University of Oxford...... 406 USD

Iskra Angelova Likomanova Theory of Translation University of Oxford...... 392 USD

Julian Ganchev Velikov Patrology University of Oxford...... 413 USD

Julian Stanchev Stanchev New Curricula in Information and Artificial Intellect Systems University of Oxford...... 400 USD

Martin Ivanov Ivanov History of the Bulgarian Foreign Debt University of Cambridge ...... 409 USD

Higher Education Support Program, Open Society Institute - Budapest

National Association of Students and Youth with Disabilities Workshop for Students with Disabilities from Southeast European Countries ...... 2650 USD

62 Public Health Program

The mission of the Public Health Program is to promote open society philosophy and practices by supporting healthcare reform in Bulgaria in the process of EU accession. The Program pursues its goals by developing and implementing projects in partnership with nonprofit organizations, government institutions, and media, as well as by supporting individuals or institutions through open competitions or by considering submitted projects.

Thematic priorities: Protection of people with mental disabilities • The program continued to promote the introduction of effective community-based services for people with mental disabilities. A daycare center for children in Razlog and protected homes for men and women with intellectual disabilities in Vidin were established as an alternative for long-term institutionalization. • In an effort to change public attitude towards people with mental health problems and promote their social inclusion, the Program carried out a media campaign, organized a workshop for journalists, provided training to NGOs working in the field, supported a traveling exhibition of works created by people with mental disabilities, and financed the production of a documentary to present good practices of care. These activities were implemented in partnership with the Geneva Initiative on Psychiatry, the users’ organization Children of Kubrat, the Public Perceptions Foundation. • In 2003 a joint initiative with the National Center of Public Health was launched in order to elaborate a database system of groups at risk of social isolation due to their mental illness. OSF – Sofia signed a framework agreement with the Ministry of Health to cooperate in drafting a White Paper on Mental Health. Palliative care A number of activities were implemented in 2003 aimed at developing a comprehensive care program for terminally ill patients. These include: • A survey “Needs Assessment and Attitudes to Hospices, January-April 2003”, which studied the condition of the existing network of hospice facilities, their functioning and main problems, the population’s awareness of hospice care, the need for this type of medical facilities and the basic attitudes to them. • A Comparative Analysis on the Legal Regime of Hospices in Bulgaria and European Union member states. • A National Conference on Palliative Care, which aimed at creating a network of existing hospice initiatives. As a result, the National Association of Palliative Care was established with to conduct advocacy actions and exert policy impact. • A framework standard on palliative care was developed and followed up by the creation of a working group at the Ministry of Health, which was assigned the task to elaborate a national standard on palliative care. • A project for establishing a Resource and Education Center on Palliative Care was launched. The partner organizations are Stichting Agora and the Dutch National Information Center for Palliative Terminal. The goal of the project is to support the integration of palliative care into the national health care system. The Program has developed partnerships with the Bulgarian Association of Palliative Care, the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law, the Dutch National Information Center for Palliative Terminal, and the European Association of Palliative Care.

63 Roma health In an effort to secure equal access to healthcare services for the Roma population, the Program supported initiatives that introduce the system of the health mediator. The Program continued to encourage active public debate by organizing the roundtable meeting ‘Roma Health in Bulgaria: Trends, Problems and Effective Practices’. The Program works in close collaboration with the OSF Roma Program, the Bulgarian Family Planning Association and the Ethnic Minorities Health Problems Foundation. Healthcare system reform The program pursued its goal to support health system reforms in Bulgaria and to promote civic participation in this process by implementing the following projects: • International workshop on hospital reform and healthcare, which was attended by more than 45 high level policymakers and led to a constructive debate on hospital reform and financing mechanisms. The workshop and the formal promotion of the book “Healthcare Systems in Transition, Bulgaria 2003” was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, and the World Bank. • Elaboration of a Patients’ Rights Act. As a follow-up a project aimed at improving existing legislation in this problematic area was launched. The Program’s partners in this initiative are the Program and Analytical Center for European Law and the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law Foundation. The Program will continue to promote patients’ rights by strengthening the advocacy skills of patients’ groups and encouraging networking among these organizations. • Restructuring municipal hospitals in Bulgaria. The project is implemented by WHO EURO as part of the Biennial Collaboration Agreement between WHO and the Ministry of Health. The purpose is to develop a methodology for restructuring municipal hospitals, monitoring pilot initiatives, and providing suggestions for improvement. • Building a public health community across Europe. The Public Health Program is a partner organization of the European Public Health Alliance in implementation of a project, which was approved for funding by the EC in 2003. The objective is to strengthen the role of health NGOs in EU policy-making, support networking and develop the capacity of Central and East European NGOs to be active members of health networks.

Projects, Initiated by the Program

Public Presentation and Translation of the New OBSERVATORY HiT Bulgaria 2002 Report...... 1135 USD

Publishing 45 Books from the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies Series: Options for Europe Hospitals in a Changing Europe Regulating Entrepreneurial Behavior in European Health Care Systems ...... 1879 USD

Organizing an International Seminar on Hospital Reform Issues in Partnership with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, and the World Bank...... 5241 USD

Evaluation of Activities and Projects Supported by the Mental Health Program...... 4669 USD

Organizing a Seminar on Hospital Reform: Organization Culture and Quality Management...... 3235 USD

64 Organizing a Public Discussion on Changes in Legislation and Identifying the Maximum Quantity of Addictive Substances that Could Be Treated as a Legally Allowed Single Dose for Drug Users ...... 812 USD

Directory of Public Health NGOs...... 1856 USD

Evaluation of the Public Health Master Degree Program at the Medical University in Varna...... 418 USD

Network Initiatives

Health on the Balkans Project ...... 2098 USD

Palliative Care

Organizing a National Conference on Palliative Care...... 3470 USD

Translation into Bulgarian, Publishing and Distribution of Two Books Published by the WHO: 1. Cancer Pain Relief and Palliative Care in Children (WHO – 1998) 2. Symptom Relief Terminal Illness (WHO – 1998)...... 1979 USD

Palliative Care: Status Study and Needs Assessment...... 8361 USD

Mental Health

Information Campaign for Changing Public Attitude to People with Mental Disabilities and Intellectual Deficiencies ...... 40,701 USD

Organizing a Seminar on Mental Health Issues „Mental Health and Media“...... 6195 USD

Grants

Public Health

Matching Funds for Organizing Conferences and Seminars on Public Health Issues

Department of Public Health, Medical University – Sofia Organizing a Seminar on EU Public Health Strategy and the New Public Health Program: Priorities, Networks, and Opportunities for Participation, Sofia...... 5040 USD

Bulgarian Association of Women Doctors International Conference on Prevention and Early Diagnostic of Breast Cancer, Sofia ...... 1000 USD

65 Pro-Otology Nonprofit Association International Workshop on the Prevention of Auditory and Vestibular Disorders, Stara Zagora...... 986 USD

Support for Periodic Publications on Public Health, Health Economics, Social Medicine, and Health Management

Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Administrators and Professionals Publishing the Healthcare Quarterly, Sofia...... 2000 USD

Bright Pages Foundation Publishing the Health Economics and Management Magazine, Varna...... 2000 USD

Scientific Association in Social Medicine, Health Information, and Health Management Publishing the Social Medicine Magazine, Sofia...... 1900 USD

Advocacy for Improving the Access of People Living with HIV/AIDS to Health, Social, and Public Services

National Center for Public Opinion Studies National Representative Study on Stigmatization of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Bulgaria, Sofia...... 5856 USD

Kaspar Hauser Foundation Strengthening Leadership Skills among People Living with HIV/AIDS and Creating an Advocacy NGO Network in Bulgaria, Sofia...... 5977 USD

Network Initiatives

Health Management Education – Master Degree Programs

Bulgarian Health Management Association Joint Master Degree Program in Health Management (Varna – Maastricht)...... 12,500 USD

Department of Public Health, Medical University – Sofia Master Degree Program in Health Management, Sofia...... 10,940 USD

Public Health Education – Master Degree Programs

Public Health 99 Association Quality Assurance of Public Health Education in Central and Eastern Europe, Varna...... 31,590 USD

66 Roma Health

Improving the Access of Roma to Healthcare

Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association Supporting the Sustainability of Roma Family Planning and Reproductive Health Centers in the Roma Neighborhoods of Fakulteta (Sofia), Progress (Dolnia Mitropolia), and Stolipinovo (Plovdiv)...... 7612 USD

Integro Roma Support Information and Advisory Center Improving the Access of Roma from Rural Areas to Health and Social Services by Introducing Roma Mediators, Vetovo...... 6887 USD

Nevi Tcherhen – New Star Association Accessible Health for Roma, Kyustendil ...... 6087 USD

Integro Foundation Improving Healthcare Services in Gurmen and Gotse Delchev Municipalities with the Active Involvement of Roma Mediators...... 7510 USD

Neve Droma Foundation, Shoumen Model for Solving Roma Health Problems, Shoumen...... 6497 USD

Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association Organizing a National Roundtable Meeting on Roma Health in Bulgaria: Trends, Problems and Effective Practices, Sofia...... 4543 USD

Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction Programs

Dose of Love Association HIV/AIDS Prevention among Drug Users and Commercial Sex Workers, Bourgas...... 13,523 USD

Health and Social Development Foundation Harm Reduction Program for Commercial Sex Workers and Injection Drug Users, Sofia...... 11,042 USD

Initiative for Health Foundation Steps in a Positive Direction: HIV/AIDS Prevention among Drug Users, Sofia...... 13,815 USD

Harm Reduction Program for Injection Drug Users from the Roma Community, Sofia ...... 9810 USD

67 Pleven 21st Foundation Harm Reduction Program for Injection Drug Users and Commercial Sex Workers in the Pleven Region, Pleven...... 13,707 USD

Elena Eftimova Yankova Annual Meeting of Technical Consultants for Central and Eastern Europe, Krakow, Poland...... 286 USD

Zahari Yordanov Nikolov Annual Meeting of Technical Consultants for Central and Eastern Europe, Krakow, Poland...... 287 USD

Nela Nikolova Ivanova Participation in an Organization Development and Capacity Building Training Program, Budapest, Hungary ...... 369 USD

Rumiana Mincheva Gancheva Participation in an Organization Development and Capacity Building Training Program, Budapest, Hungary ...... 369 USD

Palliative Care

Isis Association Life without Pain, Plovdiv...... 12,796 USD

Center for Social and Healthcare Services Home-based Palliative Care, Veliko Turnovo ...... 13,037 USD

Pleven 21st Century Foundation Home-based Palliative Care for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients in the Pleven Region, Dolna Mitropolia Municipality...... 12,529 USD

Medical College – Plovdiv In-service Training for Medical Nurses in Palliative Care for Terminally Ill Patients, Plovdiv...... 10,540 USD

Bulgarian Palliative Care Association Study on the Access to Rain Relief Analgesics in Bulgaria, Sofia ...... 23,480 USD Palliative Care Policies, Sofia ...... 18,300 USD Organizing a National Conference on Palliative Care, Sofia...... 6761 USD

Participation in the Third European Course on Palliative Care for Children, Warsaw, Poland Dimiter Antonov Dimitrov...... 280 USD Pauna Stoyanova Stoyanova ...... 280 USD

68 Protection of People with Mental Disabilities and Intellectual Deficiencies

Protection of People with Mental Disabilities Project Competition

Europe 21 Association for Protecting the Rights of People with Special Education Needs Early Intervention in Children with Developmental Disorders, Plovdiv...... 9924 USD

The Children of Kubrat Association Art Therapy as a Tool for Improving the Quality of Life of People with Mental Disabilities, Sofia...... 9478 USD

Chance Association of People with Intellectual Deficiencies “We Are All Equal under the Sun”, Razlog ...... 7498 USD

Association for Supporting People with Intellectual Deficiencies, Varna Model for Training Professionals, Parents and Volunteers to Work with People with Intellectual Deficiencies, Varna...... 9619 USD

Association for Supporting People with Intellectual Deficiencies – Vidin Equipping a Day-Care Center for Children and Adults with Intellectual Deficiencies, Vidin ...... 6325 USD

Medical College – Veliko Turnovo In-service Training for Medical Nurses in Mental Health, Veliko Turnovo ...... 10,778 USD

New Bulgarian University, Bulgarian Institute for Interpersonal Relations Structural Discrimination in Mental Health, Sofia...... 18,000 USD

Training in the Project Model Program Atanaska Ivanova Tumbeva, 4th module, Vilnius, Lithuania...... 410 USD Violeta Asenova Shopova, 3rd module, Kluj, Romania ...... 360 USD Evgenia Spasova Hashumova, 3rd module, Timisoara, Romania...... 90 USD Elena Atanasova Tumbeva, 3rd module, Vilnius, Lithuania...... 551 USD Emil Borisov Traev, 1st module, Prague, Czech Republic ...... 332 USD Zornica Yordanova Kirilova, 2nd module, Prague, Czech Republic...... 343 USD Ivan Stefanov Lukov, 2nd module, Prague, Czech Republic ...... 343 USD Ivana Zhivkova Kirilova-Ivanova, 3rd module, Timisoara, Romania ...... 58 USD Kamelia Borisova Georgieva, 2nd module, Timisoara, Romania ...... 78 USD Krasimira Petkova Videnova, 3rd module, Timisoara, Romania ...... 90 USD Lidia Slavchova Pankova, 3rd and 4th module, Vilnius, Lithuania ...... 961 USD Liudmila Gerasimova Kezhova, 2nd module, Timisoara, Romania ...... 75 USD Liudmila Gerasimova Kezhova, 3rd and 4th module, Zagreb, Croatia...... 1 154 USD Natalia Marinova Rangelova, 3rd module, Timisoara, Romania...... 90 USD Norka Georgieva Cenova, 2nd module, Timisoara, Romania...... 78 USD Paola Lyubenova Stoeva, 1st module, Prague, Czech Republic...... 332 USD Roza Grigorova Georgieva, 3rd module, Timisoara, Romania ...... 90 USD Rosen Slavchev Kamenov, 2nd module, Timisoara, Romania...... 78 USD

69 Sylvia Asenova Miloslavova, 3rd and 4th module, Zagreb, Croatia...... 1 154 USD Stiliana Radeva Nedelcheva, 2nd and 3rd module, Kluj, Romania...... 780 USD Tatiana Pavlova Ivanova, 2nd module, Kluj, Romania ...... 420 USD Cecka Slavcheva Chukarska, 2nd module, Timisoara, Romania...... 78 USD

Other Grants

Parliamentary Center for European Law Foundation Providing Practical Information and Legal Aid on Patients’, Sofia...... 35,953 USD

Alcohol and Drugs

Pandora Prim – Vasil Petrov Translation into Bulgarian and Publishing Two Books: “An Illness or a Sin?”, “Walk Proudly” ...... 8039 USD

Participation in Salzburg Medical Seminars

Open Society Club – Stara Zagora Participation in Salzburg Medical Seminars ...... 1521 USD

Vasil Tsankov Yablannski Bone and Joint Surgery...... 637 USD

Vesela Angelova Piperova Infectious Diseases...... 642 USD

Veselin Radkov Rashkov Anesthesiology ...... 641 USD

Genka Georgieva Barumova Psychiatry...... 642 USD

Ivan Dimitrov Ivanov Neurosurgery...... 635 USD

Ivan Ivanov Manev Otolaryngology ...... 635 USD

Meglena Alexandrova Alexieva Intensive Pediatric Care ...... 623 USD

Miglena Yordanova Marinova-Ashkar Neonatology ...... 645 USD

Plamen Konstantinov Konstantinov Family Medicine...... 617 USD

Savelina Lyubenova Popovska Oncology ...... 644 USD

Tsvetelin Tsvetanov Genchev Urology...... 644 USD

Mariana Stoicheva Stoicheva Meeting of Salzburg Seminar Program Coordinators ...... 639 USD

Participation in OSI Public Health Seminars – New York

Palliative Care, Budapest, Hungary Dimiter Antonov Dimitrov...... 254 USD Kalinka Petrova Balabanova...... 251 USD Sashka Lazarova Ruskova ...... 275 USD Stoyan Stoilov Alexandrov ...... 275 USD

Tobacco Control, Bucharest, Romania Maria Georgieva Lyubenova...... 249 USD Nevena Stefanova Logofetova ...... 244 USD

Jivka Ganeva Marinova Efficient Advocacy for Public Health in Europe, Riga, Latvia ...... 444 USD

Stoyanka Tsvetkova Jeleva-Popova Population-based Approach to University Education in Public Health, Erevan, Armenia ...... 50 USD

71 Women’s Program

Project, Initiated by the Program

“I Will Tell You about a Roma Woman” - Essay-writing competition and publication of the essays presented on the International Roma Women Day, June 10 ...... 2280 USD

Grants

Center for Women’s Studies and Policies Institutional Support ...... 214,000 USD

Training on Gender Equality Issues for NGOs from Southeast European Pre-accession Countries Iliana Nikolova Balabanova-Stoycheva...... 428 USD Teodora Ivanova Kaleinska...... 450 USD Veronika Viktorova Azarova...... 512 USD

Tania Todorova Sotirova Training on Conducting Media Campaigns against Violence...... 200 USD

72 Culture Program

Grants

Margarita Nikolova Karamihova Publishing the Book “Bulgarian Immigrants in the United States” ...... 2555 USD

Feya Foundation Vasilitsa – an Ethnocultural Roma Holiday...... 3333 USD

Tilia Publishing House Audio Panorama on Bulgarian Culture, Dedicated to Blaga Dimitrova ...... 595 USD

Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library A Guide to National Library Collections...... 4000 USD

Balkan Decameron Open Writers’ Society Meeting of Balkan Decameron Open Writers’ Society ...... 4355 USD

Vasil Levski Foundation Levski and Bulgarian Statehood ...... 866 USD

Center for Aromanian Language and Culture A Folklore Festival for Aromanian Songs and Dances...... 4839 USD

New Publicity

Soros Center for Cultural Policies...... 35,300 USD

Cultural Link

Soros Center for Cultural Policies Mobility Fund...... 7955 USD

International Translation Program

Soros Center for Cultural Policies Translation Project ...... 71,955 USD

73 Economic Reform Program

Grants

Center for Economic Development Institutional Support ...... 31,337 USD

Microcrediting and Re-socialization

Microfund Foundation Microcrediting ...... 520,000 USD

Resource Center Foundation Microcrediting ...... 261,000 USD

74 Appendix

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

AUDITOR’S REPORT AND ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2003 and 2002

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE as of December 31, 2003 and 2002

Note 2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets Cash 3 1,174 758 535 284 Receivables 4 3,862 2,494 5,640 2,992 Prepayments 5 16 10 13 7

Subtotal Current Assets 5,052 3,262 6,188 3,283

Non-Current Assets Fixed assets 6 570 426 637 449 Long-term receivables 7 387 250 471 250 Investments 8 5,057 2,771 4,279 2,271

Subtotal Non-Current assets 6,014 3,447 5,387 2,970

Total Assets 11,066 6,709 11,575 6,253

LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE Current liabilities 9 164 105 204 107 Accruals 10 4,181 2,700 5,114 2,713

Total Liabilities 4,345 2,805 5,318 2,820

Fund Balance 11 6,721 3,904 6,257 3,433

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE 11,066 6,709 11,575 6,253

These financial statements have been signed on behalf of Open Society Foundation by:

______Veliko Sherbanov Financial Director

March 31, 2004

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

STATEMENTS OF REVENUES, EXPENSES AND CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE For the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

Note 20032003 2002 2002 BGN’000USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) Contribution income OSI Income 2.5 8,835 5,578 12,012 6,019 Third party funding 12 193 109 233 112

Total contribution income 9,028 5,687 12,245 6,131

Expenses OSI Program expenses 14 8,381 5,054 12,198 6,106 OSI Administrative expenses 15 606 597 1,455 648 Third-party program expenses 16 179 116 121 60 OSF S expenses (rent) 17 214 132 213 106

Total expenses 9,380 5,899 13,987 6,920

Deficit of contribution income over expenses (352) (212) (1,742) (789)

Other Income/(Expenses), net 18 816 683 (2,173) (754)

Surplus/(Deficit) 464 471 (3,915) (1,543)

These financial statements have been signed on behalf of Open Society Foundation by:

______Veliko Sherbanov Financial Director

March 31. 2004

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

78 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

CASH FLOW STATEMENTS For the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Surplus/(deficit) for the year 464 471 (3,915) (1,543)

Adjustments to reconcile surplus/(deficit) for year to net cash flows from operating activities:

Depreciation 188 101 221 117 Decrease in receivables 1,778 498 1,153 69 Decrease/(increase) in prepayments (3) (3) 6 1 (Decrease)/increase in liabilities (972) (15) 985 868 Share of investees’ (profit)/loss (1,087) (607) 645 313 Non-cash expenses - decrease in loan to BBF 214 57 213 39 Non-cash expense - donated and scrapped fixed assets 39 18 389 113 Loss on disposal of investments - - (72) (49) Impairment of Varna Print loan - - 198 105 Adjustment of investment - Open Society Publishing house - - 206 93 Unrealised foreign exchange rate gains - - 61 - Loss on disposal of fixed assets - - (4) (2)

Net cash flows provided by operating activities 621 520 86 124

Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of fixed assets (160) (96) (196) (96) Increase in long term receivables 84 - (105) (85) Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets - - 4 2 Net cash flows from sale and purchase of investments and loans to associates 94 50 56 28

Net cash flows provided by/(used in) investing activities 18 (46) (241) (151)

Increase/(decrease) in cash for the year 639 474 (155) (27)

Cash at the beginning of the year (see note 3) 535 284 690 311

Cash at the end of the year (see note 3) 1,174 758 535 284

These financial statements have been signed on behalf of Open Society Foundation by:

______Veliko Sherbanov Financial Director

March 31, 2004

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

1. Organisation and principal activities

The Open Society Foundation Sofia (hereafter "the Foundation", “OSF S”) is an independent non-for- profit organisation founded in 1990.

The Foundation’s main activities are concentrated in the organisation and operation of programs and grant-giving in the fields of democracy and rule of law, civil society - public debate, democratic media, NGO development, European integration, public health care, educational reform and youth program, culture, and economic development – micro-lending.

The Foundation supports its spin-offs (e.g., Open Society Clubs, Soros Center for Cultural policy, foundations Step by Step, Program and Analytical Canter for European Law, Media Development Canter, Resource Canter, and the National Association Debate) on project basis on an equal footing with all OSF S applicants.

During 2003 OSF S provided financing to the following entities:

National Network Budget Budget

2003 2003 USD’000 USD’000

Resource Center - 781 Open Society Clubs 147 57 Step by Step 27 63 Soros Center for Art (“Translation project”) 35 50 Media Development Center 5 - National Association Debate program - 5

214 956

The Foundation has also financed the rent due to BBF (hereafter “Bulgarian Building Fund”) by the Open Society Clubs, which amounts to USD 31 thousand for 2003.

The main source of financing of the Foundation’s activities is provided by the Open Society Institute (hereafter “OSI”).

The Foundation has no commercial activities itself, however, it holds investments in several trading subsidiaries and associates, which are disclosed in note 8.

2. Accounting policies

2.1. General

Open Society Foundation Sofia maintains its accounting records in compliance with the Bulgarian accounting legislation.

The accompanying financial statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

80 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.2. Reconciliation between management report and IFRS financial statements

2003 USD’000 Program expenses as per management report 5,252 deduct fixed assets (16) 5,236

as per IFRS financial statements 5,236 deduct third-party expenses (116) deduct the Foundation’s expenses (BBF rent) (66)

Program expenses financed by OSI budget 5,054

Administrative expenses as per management report 470 fixed assets movement 3 add depreciation 101 add expenses for fixed assets disbursement 13

587

add changes in BBF loan (rent and foreign exchange rate gains) 10

Administrative expenses 597

2.3. Basis of accounting

The Foundation prepares its financial statements on the accrual basis of accounting and under the historical cost convention.

2.4. Measurement currency and exchange rate differences

The currency of the Republic of Bulgaria, in which the Foundation operates, is Bulgarian Lev (“BGN”). However, the majority of the Foundation’s operations are conducted in US dollars (“USD”) and therefore, the measurement currency is USD.

The exchange rates of BGN to USD as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 are 1.54856 BGN = 1 USD and 1.88496 BGN = 1 USD, respectively.

The accompanying financial statements are presented in thousands of USD (“USD’000”). The presentation of the figures (unaudited) in the local currency (“BGN”) is not a part of the basic financial statements and is for statutory purposes only. Monetary items in BGN are stated at the closing exchange rate of BGN to USD as of December 31, 2003, and non-monetary items, income and expenses are stated at historical exchange rates of BGN to USD.

2.5. Recognition of OSI income and expenses

Contribution income and expenses related to OSI are recognised on an accrual basis. Under the revised funding policy for National Foundations announced by Open Society Institute after January 1, 2002 the contribution from OSI became conditional. As a result, contributions to the Foundation become unconditional only when funds are expended on an accrual basis by the Foundation for approved budgetary amounts. Thus the total amount of the recognised income is equal to expenses plus the amounts spent for acquisition of fixed assets less depreciation costs and the net book value of fixed assets disposed.

81 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

2.Accounting policies (continued)

2.5. Recognition of OSI income and expenses (continued)

Incoming funds are recorded as cash advance when received and recognised as income according to the policy described above. Program expenses are recognised at the time of payment or as accruals if the contracted commitments are outstanding at year end. At each year end the Foundations reviews its projects to ensure that the matching of revenue and expenses is applied.

The opening and closing balances of receivables from OSI have been calculated in accordance with the Instruction Kit for the external audits of OSI entities conducted as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, issued by OSI, under the following conditions:

1) The Foundation has not overspent or over-committed compared to its 2003 budget.

2) Third party activity and activity financed by the Foundation (the loan to BBF) is excluded from the expenses and the calculation of the receivable from OSI.

3) Calculation of OSI contribution income for 2003:

USD’000

Total expenses on an accrual basis 5,651 Add fixed assets purchased 96 Deduct assets disposed at net book value (18) Deduct depreciation expense (101) Deduct changes in Varna Print loan (50)

Total OSI contribution income before reduction 5,578

Therefore, the balance of the receivable from OSI as of January 1, 2003 is based on OSI contribution income, calculated on an accrual basis, the cash received from OSI, the adjusted opening balance of OSI receivables as specified in the Audit Instructions for the year ending December 31, 2003, issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Reconciliation of opening and closing balance of receivable from OSI USD’000

Balance at January 1, 2003 2,946

Contribution income from OSI for the year 5,578 Collection of receivables (cash received) (6,150) Reduction of OSI receivables (see calculations below) (3)

Balance at December 31, 2003 2,371

82 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.5. Recognition of OSI income and expenses (continued)

Calculation of the reduction OSI receivable reduction USD’000

OSI-related current liabilities as at December 31, 2003: 2,735 Liabilities related to OSI 35 Accruals related to OSI 2,700

OSI-related current assets at December 31, 2003: (364) Cash related to OSI (excluding accumulated interest) (231) Prepayments related to OSI (10) Receivables related to OSI (123)

Receivable from OSI at December 31, 2003 2,371

2.6. Fixed assets

Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis at the following annual rates:

2003 2002

Machinery and computer equipment 20% 20% Software 20% 20% Vehicles 15% 15% Office furniture 15% 15% Buildings 4% 4%

2.7. Investments

The Foundation has investments in several trading organisations, as disclosed in note 8, whose activities were separated from the Foundation in 1995. The investments of the Foundation are accounted for using equity method and are disclosed as non-current assets. The change in the net assets of the investees is recognised in the statement of revenues, expenses and fund balance of the Foundation.

The subsidiaries (see note 20) are not considered significant to the financial statements of the Foundation and therefore, the preparation of consolidated financial statements would not further benefit the users of these financial statements.

The information relating to the equity method calculation of the value of investments is presented in note 8.

2.8. Taxation

The Open Society Foundation is a non-for-profit organisation and is exempt from corporate taxation and VAT on its non-for-profit activities.

83 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

3. Cash

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Cash in bank accounts - foreign currency 758 489 133 71 Cash in bank accounts - BGN 388 251 337 178 Cash in hand - BGN 23 15 57 31 Cash in hand - foreign currency 5 3 8 4

1,174 758 535 284

4. Receivables

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Receivable from OSI 3,672 2,371 5,553 2,946 Non-interest bearing loans granted to Book world 32 21 81 43 Other receivables 158 102 6 3

3,862 2,494 5,640 2,992

5. Prepayments

Prepayments represent advances to suppliers related to printed and electronic press editions, and internet services.

6. Fixed assets

Net book Net book value value 2003 Share 2003 Share BGN’000 %USD’000 % (unaudited)

Buildings 136 23.9% 160 37.6% Renovation 28 4.9% 14 3.3% Machinery and equipment (computers) 217 38.1% 109 25.6% Vehicles 64 11.2% 35 8.2% Fixtures and fittings 96 16.8% 93 21.8% Software 29 5.1% 15 3.5%

570 100.0%426 100.0%

84 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

6. Fixed assets (continued)

The movement of fixed assets for 2003 in BGN thousand (unaudited) is the following:

Buildings Renovation Machinery Vehicles Fixture and Software Total and fittings equipment (computers) BGN’000 BGN’000 BGN’000 BGN’000 BGN’000 BGN’000 BGN’000 Cost Balance at January 1, 2003 121 60 801 62 213 126 1,383 Additions 53 - 59 37 11 - 160 Disposals - - (355) - (2) - (357) Balance at December 31, 2003 174 60 505 99 222 126 1,186

Depreciation Balance at January 1, 2003 33 23 492 22 103 73 746 Depreciation 5 9 114 13 24 24 189 Charge on disposal - - (318) - (1) - (319) Balance at December 31, 2003 38 32 288 35 126 97 616

Net book value at December 31, 2003 136 28 217 64 96 29 570

Net book value at December 31, 2002 88 37 309 40 110 53 637

The movement of fixed assets for 2003 in USD thousand is presented below:

Buildings Renovation Machinery Vehicles Fixture and Software Total and fittings equipment (computers) USD’000 USD’000 USD’000 USD’000 USD’000 USD’000 USD’000 Cost Balance at January 1, 2003 184 29 435 31 188 87 954 Additions 34 - 34 22 6 - 96 Disposals - - (208) - (1) - (209) Balance at December 31, 2003 218 29 261 53 193 87 841

Depreciation Balance at January 1, 2003 50 11 285 12 87 60 505 Depreciation 8 4 57 6 14 12 101 Charge on disposal - - (190) - (1) - (191) Balance as of December 31, 2003 58 15 152 18 100 72 415

Net book value at December 31, 2003 160 14 109 35 93 15 426

Net book value at December 31, 2002 134 18 150 19 101 27 449

85 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

7. Long-term receivables

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Resource Center 387 250 471 250

The amount of USD 250 thousand (BGN 387 thousand) as of December 31, 2003 represents three non-interest bearing loans granted to Resource Center. The first loans amounting to USD 85 thousand was granted in 2000 and matures in 2005, the second loan was granted in 2001 for the amount of USD 80 thousand and is due in 2006, and the third loan amounting to USD 85 thousand was granted in 2002 and matures in 2007.

8. Investments

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited) Bulgarian Building Fund Loan from the Foundation 493 318 707 375 Initial investment 2,785 1,255 2,785 1,255 Share of profit for the year 1,086 576 (647) (314) Shares of profit less losses brought forward 424 447 1,070 761

4,788 2,596 3,915 2,077

Open Society Publishing House Investment 263 140 263 140 Share of profit for the year - 30 - - 263 170 263 140

Varna Print (loan) - - 94 50

Foundation Accounting Net assets 5 3 5 3 Share of profit/(loss) for the year (1) (1) 2 1 Shares of profit less losses brought forward 2 1 - - Change in net assets - 2 - - 6 5 7 4

Total investments 5,057 2,771 4,279 2,271

The Foundation has a 40% interest in BBF, which was established for the purpose of real estate business activities. The loan granted by the Foundation to this investee is non-interest bearing and matures within three years as of the balance sheet date.

In 2002 the Foundation sold its 10% investment in Varna Print. Regarding the loan granted to this investee, an allowance for impairment and uncollectability of USD 105 thousand was recognised in 2002 in order to reduce the carrying amount to USD 50 thousand, which is the amount the loan was ceded for in 2003.

The Open Society publishing house did not have any activities in 2003.

86 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

9. Current liabilities

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Projects 109 70 136 71 Taxes and social security 19 12 23 12 Suppliers 14 9 17 9 Payables to employees 14 9 28 15 Other payables 8 5 - -

164 105 204 107

The payables related to projects at USD 70 thousand represent amounts transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The National Committee for the Reception of Pope Joan II to a dedicated bank account of the Foundation in accordance with the contracts for joint projects. The utilisation of these funds is subject to the requirements of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The National Committee for the Reception of Pope Joan II. Therefore, this amount is not recognised as revenue.

10. Accruals

Program accruals are recognised when an approved grant letter has been signed in the current year. Since the practice of the Foundation is to support exclusively one-year projects, no adjustment for the long-term portion of the multiple-year grant letters signed has been made.

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Accrued program expenses 4,181 2,700 5,114 2,713

The most significant program accruals as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:

2003 2003 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited)

Soros Center for Art 550 355 Foundation “Women’s study and policy” 240 155 Foundation “Microfund” 201 130 Association “School of Politics” 170 110 Foundation “Step by Step” 166 107 Foundation “Program and Analytical Center for European Law” 156 101 Foundation “Institute Marketing Economy” 135 87 Bulgarian Association for Palliative Care 101 65 Foundation “European Institute” 91 59

87 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

10. Accruals (continued)

As of December 31, 2002 the most significant program accruals are the following:

2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited)

Soros Center for Art 767 407 Palliative Care foundation 339 180 Foundation “Microfund” 188 100 Foundation “Gulliver Clearing House” 151 80 Resource Center 94 50 Foundation “Partners - Bulgaria” 94 50 Foundation “Workshop for Civil Initiatives” 94 50 Parliamentary Centre for European Law 94 50 Human Sciences Home, Ivan Znepolski 85 45 Foundation “Step by Step” 85 45

There are no accruals made for administrative activities.

11. Fund balance

Reserve (investment) fund represents a long-term reserve for OSF S activities and is formed by the investment in BBF and property.

OSI fund balance and third-party fund balances are formed by OSI and third-party donations, respectively.

The movement of the fund balance for 2003 and 2002 is as follows:

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Fund balance at January 1 Third-party 272 124 160 72 OSI 1,662 904 4,357 1,963 Reserve (investment) fund 4,323 2,405 5,864 2,643

Total fund balance at January 1 6,257 3,433 10,381 4,678

Surplus/(deficit) for the year Third-party 13 (6) 112 52 OSI (369) (49) (2,695) (1,059) Reserve (investment) fund 820 526 (1,332) (536)

Total surplus/(deficit) for the year 464 471 (3,915) (1,543)

Other movements - - (209) 298

Fund balance at December 31 Third-party 285 118 272 124 OSI 1,293 855 1,662 904 Reserve (investment) fund 5,143 2,931 4,323 2,405

Total fund balance at December 31 6,721 3,904 6,257 3,433

88 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

12. Third-party funding

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

King Boldwin 137 76 97 48 Interuniversity Fund - - 100 45 Other 56 33 36 19

193 109 233 112

The third party funders do not impose additional restrictions for any surplus remaining at the year end.

13. Management commitments

In 2003 the Foundation has voted management commitment for the National Programs (Core budget) for the amount of USD 1,041,758 (2002: USD 555,867) and Network Programs budget allocation for the amount of USD 263,839 (2002: USD 77,386). The Foundation has started a number of large project in 2003, which continue in 2004 and their budgets are rolled over.

Program National Budget Network Budget Total USD’000 USD’000 USD’000

Education 127 - 127 Public Health Programs 176 58 234 Arts and cultures 46 - 46 Public administration 104 - 104 Law 313 206 519 Roma 23 - 23 NGO Development 91 - 91 Other Civil Society - Public Debate 95 - 95 European Integration 67 - 67

1,042 264 1,306

14. OSI financed program expenses (including grant expenditures)

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Education 1,094 660 1,344 673 Youth 33 20 332 166 Information 286 172 261 131 Civil Society 1,515 914 1,604 803 Media 39 23 127 64 Arts and Culture 56 34 1,015 508 Public Health 529 319 984 492 East - East 112 67 95 47 Reform – Economy, Law, Public, Euro Integration 3,907 2,356 5,242 2,624 Other 810 489 1,194 598

8,381 5,054 12,198 6,106

89 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

15. Administrative expenses

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Salaries and benefits 215 113 215 103 Telecommunication 65 39 63 31 Rent and utilities 31 18 66 34 Travel, conference, meetings 85 50 57 32 Professional and consulting fees 200 121 181 92 Office supplies 134 85 130 65 Air courier, postage 4 2 6 3 Bank charges 10 6 10 5 Advertising (including printing material) 20 13 28 13 Depreciation 188 101 213 118 Other 103 55 178 159 Foreign currency exchange gains/(losses), net (449) (6) 308 (7)

606 597 1,455 648

16. Third-party program expenses

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Public administration 130 80 99 49 Education 40 30 22 11 Civil society 9 6 - -

179 116 121 60

17. OSF S expenses (rent)

2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Administrative expenses – rent 110 66 103 51 Civil society 57 35 56 28 Economic reform 47 31 54 27

214 132 213 106

18. Other Income/(Expenses), net

Note 2003 2003 2002 2002 BGN’000 USD’000 BGN’000 USD’000 (unaudited) (unaudited)

Share of investees’ profit/(loss) 8 1,085 607 (645) (313) Decrease of receivable from OSI 2.5 (197) (3) (585) (370) Foreign exchange gains, net (84) 75 (635) 66 Open Society Publishing house - (206) adjustment - (93) Varna Print loan impairment loss 8 - - (198) (105) Gain on sale of investment - - 72 49 Other income 12 4 24 12

816 683 (2,173) (754)

90 OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

19. Functional expenses

Informa- Education Youth tion Civil Media Arts and Public East - Reform Other Total Admini- Total Program strative in USD’000 Society Culture Health East expenses expenses Expenses

Grants expenses 482 20 169 707 23 32 258 63 2,049 410 4,213 - 4,213 Salaries and wages 31 - - 9 - - 5 - 25 8 78 91 169 Other salaries and benefits 11 - - 4 - - 2 - 13 3 33 22 55 Payroll taxes ------Training 45 - 1 27 - 1 18 - 34 2 128 18 146 Telephone 4 - - 10 - - 1 - - 6 21 39 60 Travel/Transportation 25 - 2 31 - - 7 - 40 41 146 32 178 Consultancy 34 - - 100 - 1 20 3 159 12 329 121 450 Depreciation ------101 101 Maintenance of equipment ------1 - 1 9 10 Rent & utilities 1 - - 4 - - - - 2 1 8 18 26 Office supplies 12 - - 7 - - 3 1 19 2 44 85 129 Postage 3 - - - - - 1 - 2 1 7 2 9 Advertising 11 - - 3 - - 2 - 7 1 24 1 25 Printing - - - 12 - - 2 - 4 2 20 1 21 Bank charges ------6 6 Subscription 1 ------1 - 2 11 13 Other ------40 40

Total 660 20 172 914 23 34 319 67 2,356 488 5,054 597 5,651

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION SOFIA

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002

20. Related parties

The related parties of the Foundation are as follows:

Entity Nature of the relationship

Open Society Publishing House wholly-owned subsidiary

Foundation Accounting wholly-owned subsidiary

Bulgarian Building Fund 40% associate

The transactions with these related parties for 2003 and the outstanding balances at year end are outlined below:

Entity Nature of the transaction 2003 2003 BGN’000 USD’000 Income/ Income/ (Expense) (Expense) (unaudited)

Bulgarian Building Fund Decrease in loan payable to OSF S 214 132

Foundation Accounting Accounting services to OSF S (17) (11)

Entity Nature of the transaction 2003 2003 BGN’000 USD’000 Payable Payable (unaudited)

Bulgarian Building Fund Loan payable to OSF S 493 318

The decrease in the loan granted to BBF represents netting off the outstanding balance of the loan with the amount of rent due by the Foundation for using BBF owned buildings for administrative purposes. This arrangement is stipulated in the loan agreement between the two parties.

OOpenpen SocietySociety FFoundationoundation SSofiaofia

AANNUALNNUAL RREPORTEPORT 22003003

EEditorsditors IIlianaliana BBobovaobova VVladimirladimir LLubenovubenov TTranslationranslation IIrenarena AAlexievalexieva LLayoutayout VVLLLL OOPENPEN SSOCIETYOCIETY IINSTITUTENSTITUTE SSOFIAOFIA

SSofia,ofia, 10001000 556,6, SolunskaSolunska SSt.t. pphonehone (+359(+359 2)2) 951951 6565 5252 ffaxax ((+359+359 22)) 995151 6363 4848 ee-mail:-mail: [email protected]@osf.bg wwww.osf.bgww.osf.bg

OOPENPEN SSOCIETYOCIETY IINSTITUTENSTITUTE SSOFIAOFIA

MMayay 22004004