Open Society Institute Sofia

Open Society Institute - Sofia 2015 Annual Report

OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE SOFIA

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

CONTENTS

Mission 3

1 Report of the Executive Director 5

2 Financial Profile 6

NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009- 3 11 2014

4 European Policies Programme 23

Governance and Public Policies Programme 26 5 Project Generation Facility - 29 Making the Most of European Union Structural Funds for Roma Inclusion 6 Legal Programme 31

7 Public Debate Programme 33

8 Emergency Fund of the Open Society Institute 34

Roma Programme 35

9 Scholarship Programme for doctors and post-graduate medicine students 36 of Roma origin

Traineeship Programme at the US Embassy “Bridging Roma and Career 36 Opportunities” with the financial support of the US Embassy 10 Project Design Unit 37

MISSION

To develop and support the values and practices of the open society in Bulgaria -

To support the democratization of the public life -

To work for the extension and guaranteeing of civil freedoms -

To support the strengthening of civil sector institutions -

To support the European integration and regional cooperation of Bulgaria

Founder George Soros

Board of Trustees Pepka Boyadzhieva, Chair Ivan Bedrov Lachezar Bogdanov Milena Stefanova Petya Kabakchieva Aleksandar Kashamov

Executive Director Georgi Stoychev

Financial Director Veliko Sherbanov

Programme Directors Boyan Zahariev Valentina Kazanska Ivanka Ivanova Dimitar Dimitrov Marin Lesinsky Elitsa Markova Anita Baykusheva

Senior Economist Georgi Angelov

Sociological Analyses Unit Aleksey Pamporov Dragomira Belcheva Petya Braynova

Project Design Unit Elitsa Markova Teodora Ivanova

1. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In 2015, the Open Society Institute – Sofia continued working on four main priorities: good governance, rule of law and human rights, European policies and civic participation. The activity of the Institute was carried out through the following programmes: European Policies, Governance and Public Policies, Public Debate, Legal Programme, Roma Programme and NGO Programme.

During the reporting period, a total of 175 projects were supported, of which 161 fundings of non-governmental organizations and 14 operational projects implemented directly by the Institute. 291 trainees and scholarship holders of Roma origin were supported, of whom 3 directly by the Institute, and other 288 scholarship holders obtained support under programmes within the Open Society network administered by the Institute. The total amount of the programme costs of the Institute during 2015 reached EUR 3.3 million. The main part of the supported projects and of the amount of the provided grants is associated with the Institute’s role as an operator of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the EEA Financial Mechanism.

In its capacity of operator of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the EEA Financial Mechanism (in partnership with Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation), the Institute organized open calls for proposals for granting of financial support to projects of NGOs in four areas: Democracy, human rights and good governance; Social inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable groups; Sustainable development and protection of the environment; and Capacity building for NGOs.

The involvement of the Institute’s human resources in the management of grantmaking schemes limited its ability to implement operational projects, as well as its flexibility to respond to changes in the environment. These circumstances will affect the Institute’s operations in 2016 as well.

Using its own funds and funds from other sources, the Institute continued to carry out research and monitoring initiatives and to encourage the informed public debate in the fields of education, justice, human rights, inclusion of Roma and other disadvantaged groups, integration of Bulgaria to the European Union, public attitudes towards the functioning of democracy and the state of public policies and reforms.

The Institute continued providing advisory and consulting services as part of its efforts to guarantee its long-term sustainable development. In this respect, along with the management of grantmaking schemes, during the year the Institute was also involved in the carrying out of a series of analytical and research activities in the field of education and social integration, which were assigned by national and international institutions and organizations. One of the key activities of the Institute was its role in the development and maintaining of the Bulgarian Universities Ranking System, as well as the conducting of surveys in cooperation with the World Bank.

Georgi Stoychev Executive Director

2. FINANCIAL PROFILE

І. Revenues

The total amount of the revenues in 2015 comes up to EUR 4 191 thousand as compared to EUR 7 897 thousand in 2014.

The revenues from grants during 2015 are to the amount of EUR 3 223 thousand as compared to EUR 6 666 thousand in 2014.

7000 6666 6000 5000 3223 3949 4000 3000 2900 2000 1702 1000 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Fig. 1 Revenues from grants for the period 2011-2015, in thousand EUR

In 2012, the Open Society Institute - Sofia was selected as operator of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria funded under the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 (EEA FM), whose budget comes up to EUR 11.8 million. In 2015, the amount of the recognized revenues1 from EEA FM comes up to EUR 2 883 thousand as compared to EUR 6 201 thousand in 2014.

In 2015, the amount of the recognized revenues from the network of Open Society Foundations comes up to EUR 314 thousand from the following donor institutions:

Open Society Institute - Budapest EUR 312 thousand Open Society Institute - Zug EUR 2 thousand

For the purposes of comparison, in 2014, the revenues originating from the network of Open Society Foundations came up to EUR 353 thousand.

Thanks to the funding from the Open Society Institute - Budapest, in 2015, there continued the implementation of the programme scheme Project Generation Facility – Making the Most of European Union Structural Funds for Roma Inclusion and the amount of recognized

1 These revenues include funds associated with the scheme for granting of financial support for the implementation of projects in 9 thematic priorities under the NGO Programme to the amount of EUR 2 813 thousand. The financial support is granted directly from a bank account especially opened by EEA FM. For the purposes of comparison, in 2014, the amount of recognized revenues associated with the scheme for granting of financial support came up to EUR 6 127 thousand. 6 revenues in 2015 came up to EUR 185 thousand, as well as of the Scheme for supporting of the education in medicine, mentorship and training in advocacy of Roma students to the amount of EUR 93 thousand.

In 2015, there were also realized certain programme activities, which were funded by other donors, to the amount of EUR 26 thousand as compared to EUR 111 thousand in 2014.

Donor Name of the project Funding in thousand EUR

Organization of student Roma Education Fund 21 scholarship scheme Other donors 5 Total 26

Revenues from the Management of the Reserve Fund In 2015, there were realized interests to the amount of EUR 142 thousand. In the end of 2015, the deposited funds amounted to EUR 6.89 million.

Business Activity In 2015, the Institute realized revenues from business activity to the amount of EUR 826 thousand from the following activities:

Management of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the EEA FM EUR 300 thousand Administration of activities of the Open Society Institute - Europe EUR 82 thousand Public procurement contract awarded by the Ministry of Education EUR 134 thousand Sociological survey assigned by the World Bank EUR 277 thousand Survey assigned by America for Bulgaria Foundation EUR 26 thousand Revenues from exchange rate differences associated with EUR 7 thousand the business activity

For the purposes of comparison, in 2014, the realized revenues came up to the amount of EUR 997 thousand.

Net Assets As at the end of 2015, the amount of the net assets remained EUR 8.3 million as compared to EUR 8.4 million as at the end of 2014. The decrease is due to the funding of activities out of the Institute’s reserve.

The balance sheet of the Institute as at 31 December 2015 contains buildings and land to the amount of EUR 368 thousand and investments in subsidiaries to the amount of EUR 491 thousand.

The Institute has an office at 56 “Solunska” Street with 35 computerized work-places and 2 rooms for business meetings. 7

II. Costs

In 2015, the total amount of the costs, including corporate tax costs, came up to EUR 4 280 thousand as compared to EUR 7 917 thousand in 2014.

The programme costs came up to EUR 3 320 thousand as compared to EUR 6 767 thousand in 2014, EUR 1 796 thousand in 2013, respectively EUR 1 325 thousand in 2012 and EUR 2 729 thousand in 2011.

Amount of the programme costs during the period 2011-2015 by programme areas, in thousand EUR

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Programme area In thousand EUR Share Costs in thousand EUR

NGO Programme 2 883 86.8% 6 200 998 32 Emergency Fund 26 0.8% 10 33 79 658 Governance and Public Policies 171 5.2% 268 369 296 608 European Policies 53 1.6% 62 39 152 377 Legal Programme 38 1.1% 39 53 61 185 Public Debate 44 1.3% 31 46 45 96 Roma 102 3.1% 155 253 398 458 Education and Youth Programmes 3 0.1% 2 5 8 64 Public Heath 16 23 East-East 118 135 Others 120 125 Total 3 320 100% 6 767 1 796 1 325 2 729

Distribution of the programme costs under the NGO Programme during the period 2013- 2015 by thematic priorities, in thousand EUR

Thematic priorities in thousand EUR 2015 2014 2013 Thematic priority “Democratic values, including human rights, 408 872 189 promoted“ Thematic priority “Active citizenship fostered“ 229 651 109

Thematic priority “Increased involvement of NGOs in policy and decision-making processes with local, regional and national 474 1 275 47 governments”

Thematic priority “Empowerment of vulnerable groups“ 263 988 179 Thematic priority “Provision of welfare and basic services to defined 320 642 108 target groups increased“ Thematic priority “Increased contribution to sustainable development 366 658 140 achieved“ Thematic priority “Strengthened capacity of NGOs and an enabling 287 589 89 environment for the sector promoted“

Thematic priority “Advocacy and watchdog role developed“ 87 221 56 Thematic priority “Developed networks and coalition of NGO working 357 220 53 in partnership“ Loss from exchange rate difference associated with the transfer of 22 11 1 grants to beneficiaries Bilateral cooperation of Bulgarian NGOs with organizations from the 59 43 12 donor countries Complementary actions 11 30 15 Total costs under the NGO Programme 2 883 6 200 998

Supported projects In 2015, 175 projects were implemented, of which 161 fundings of organizations and 14 projects implemented by Open Society Institute – Sofia. Three scholarship holders of Roma origin were supported and other 288 scholarship holders were supported under programmes of the network of Open Society foundations outside the budget of the Foundation.

For the purposes of comparison, in 2014, 275 projects were implemented, of which 253 fundings of organizations and 22 projects implemented by Open Society Institute – Sofia. 6 trainees and scholarship holders of Roma origin were supported and other 271 scholarship holders were supported under programmes of the network of Open Society foundations outside the budget of the Foundation.

Number of projects Incl. Programme area Open Society Total Organizations Institute - Sofia

NGO Programme 151 148 3

Governance and Public Policies 10 7 3 European Policies and Civic Participation 2 2 Legal Programme 2 2 Public Debate 3 1 2 Roma 4 2 2 Emergency (Crisis) Fund 3 3 Total 175 161 14 Scholarship holders of Roma origin 3 Total 178

Out of its own reserve, the Institute funded costs to the total amount of EUR 243 thousand as compared to EUR 258 thousand in 2014. For 2015, the costs of the Institute exceed the revenues by EUR 89 thousand as compared to the excess of EUR 20 thousand in 2014.

The administrative costs amount to EUR 146 thousand - 3 % of the total volume of the costs.

The amount of the costs for business activity for 2015 comes up to EUR 814 thousand, including income tax. The realized profit after taxes amounts to EUR 12 thousand.

The programme activity is carried out on the basis of combining the efforts of the staff (28 people were employed at the Institute in 2015) in partnership with wide expert communities.

III. Reporting and Control

The financial reporting is kept in accordance with the Bulgarian accounting legislation, the International Financial Reporting Standards, as well as the approved standards and the requirements of the donor organizations.

The functional currency in which the Open Society Institute – Sofia accounts for its activity, is euro.

The Open Society Institute is registered for public benefit and each year it publishes the reports on its activity.

In the end of 2011, the Open Society Institute introduced into its activity the ISO 9001 quality standards.

3. NGO PROGRAMME IN BULGARIA UNDER THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA FINANCIAL MECHANISM 2009-2014

NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 г. - www.ngogrants.bg; www.facebook.com/ngogrants.bg

Since 2012, the Open Society Institute – Sofia, jointly with the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation, is the operator of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria under EEA FM. The total value of the programme is almost EUR 11.8 million, provided by the donor countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The programme is funding eligible non-governmental organizations that are registered in Bulgaria with the aim to support the development of the civil sector and its contribution to social justice, democracy and sustainable development of the country. Within the programme, three calls for proposals in four thematic areas were announced: “Democracy, human rights and good governance”, “Social inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable groups”, “Sustainable development and protection of the environment”, “Capacity building for NGOs”.

In 2015, the operator of the Programme completed the qualitative evaluation and entered into grant agreements for the funding of 1382 project proposals received within the framework of the third competition. Considerable part of the supported projects was focused on the protection of the rights of minorities and their integration. About one forth of the supported projects during the reporting period were related to the integration of Roma people and 53 % of all projects included activities with children and youth. Different initiatives were implemented with the aim to study the Norwegian experience in the filed of social services, vulnerable groups and access of disabled people to the labor market, so as to convert this experience into successful practices for the Bulgarian reality.

Out of a total of 15 project proposals submitted in partnership with organizations from Iceland and Norway, 4 were approved to the total amount of EUR 31 852. In 2015, it was still possible to fund partner initiatives, which encourage the cooperation with the donor countries Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway. 6 organizations benefitted from this opportunity. The support that they received amounts to EUR 15 836.

During the period 16 June – 2 July 2015, 6 training courses for strengthening of the capacity were conducted under the Programme, which were attended by approximately 350 representatives of non-governmental organizations implementing projects under the three competitions. The meetings were held in towns of each of the six planning regions in Bulgaria - Vratsa, Plovdiv, Veliko Turnovo, Varna, Burgas and Sofia.

During the past year the operator of the Programme paid special attention to two leading topics for Bulgaria and for Europe: the refugee crisis and the Roma inclusion. 2 bilateral

2 Within the activities to encourage the bilateral cooperation with the donor countries and the complementary actions realized by the Programme’s operator, there were supported 13 other projects under the Programme, whereby the total number of supported projects under the Programme in 2015 reached 151. 11 seminars were organized for experience sharing and transfer of knowledge, which brought together the expertise of the Open Society Institute – Sofia and the experience of the beneficiaries of the Programme. The seminar in May 2015 in Sofia was dedicated to the NGO role in support of refugees and migrants. In the end of October 2015 in Oslo, there was organized an international workshop for good practices and successful policies in the field of Roma integration. ЕХАНИЗЪМ НА ЕВРОПЕЙСКОТО ИКОНОМИЧЕСКО ПРОСТРАНСТВО 2009-2014

NGO PROGRAMME IN BULGARIA UNDER THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA FINANCIAL MECHANISM 2009-2014

3.1. Bilateral cooperation between Bulgarian NGOs and organisations from the donor countries Grants for implementation of project ideas with partners from the donor countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and for support of the bilateral cooperation of Bulgarian NGOs and organizations from the donor countries

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Gender Education, Research and Technologies Foundation in partnership with Reform – Resource Centre for Men, Dating Violence - the Uncovered Face of Norway Adolescents' Human Rights Violation 3 290 € Association SEVEN in partnership with the National Network of Bulgarian Film Norwegian Federation of Film Societies Societies 3 980 € Sustainability of Progressive and Open Increasing the Capacity of SPOC through Communication Association in partnership the Development of a Support System with Adults for Children, Norway for Children that are Experiencing Grief 2 985 € Establishment of Supportive Educational Karin Dom Foundation in partnership with Environment for Children with Special STATPED – Kristiansand Needs in the Kindergartens 4 011 € Community Donation Fund – Gabrovo Foundation in partnership with Lenum AG, Liechtenstein Be Active! 3 000 € Life with Dignity Foundation in partnership with KAMPEN ØKOLOGISKE Demonstration Eco - Center for Children BARNEBONDEGÅRD, Norway and Youth in Strandja Natural Park 2 460 € The Fabric Association in partnership with EUROMASC – European Masters of Skilled Crafts Training as a Second Chance Crafts Chance it! 3 950 € Avocado Foundation in partnership with Integration of One Society trough the Peacepainting, Norway Integration of Individual 860 €

For You Association in partnership with Stavne Arbeid og Kompetanse KF, Trondheim, Norway Youth Development Center 2 535 € European Centre for Mediation and Arbitration in partnership with NOVA- Norwegian Social Research, Oslo Equal Rights and Opportunities 2 976 €

Own projects Topic Sum in EUR Third Bilateral Workshop focusing on the role of NGOs in assisting refugees and migrants within the Third Annual Meeting for Sharing Good Practice on Partnership Development between Bulgarian NGOs and Organisations from the Donor States (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway), 14-15 May, 2015, Sofia 3 570 €

Experts from the donor countries Reimbursed participation costs Sum in EUR participating in the seminar Ma-Li Svensson, Norwegian Red Cross Volunteers Nordland 984 € Dobromira Tjessem, Norwegian Directorate of Immigration 660 € Lars Soeftestad, CBNRM Networking, Norway 741 € Marek Linha, Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) 688 € Áshildur Linnet, Icelandic Red Cross 1 315 € Steinunn Pieper, Icelandic Human Rights Centre 1 368 € William Evans, The Norwegian Association for Adult Learning 1 159 € Mari Helenedatter Aarbakke and Marte Taylor Bye, KUN Centre for Gender Equality, Norway 2 366 €

Sum in Projects implemented by OSI - Sofia Topic EUR International Workshop on Roma Integration - Challenges and Opportunities for Roma Inclusion in Europe. The Examples of Bulgaria and Romania and Potential for Cooperation with Organisations from Norway, Oslo, 28-31 October 2015 16 376 €

3.2. Complementary actions

Projects implemented by OSI - Sofia Topic Sum in EUR Conference “Democracy and Civic Participation - the Role of NGOs“, Sofia, 14-16 May 2015 6 595 €

3.3. Thematic area ‘Democracy, human rights and good governance’

3.3.1. Thematic priority ‘Democratic values, including human rights, promoted’

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Capital Foundation Informed and Tolerant 46 189 € FotoFabrica Foundation Blowup 46 000 € Gender Education, Research and Dating Violence - the Uncovered Face of Technologies Foundation Adolescents' Human Rights Violation 44 040 € To Educate a Xenophobe - Advocacy PoliSciCentre Campaign for Tolerance in Education 34 981 € From Prejudice to Intolerance: Spread and Center for Policy Modernization Foundation Prevention of Hate Speech in Bulgaria 35 000 € ‘Give me the right!’ - Weekly Anti- Discrimination Programme on Darik Radio and Radio Internships for Roma and Other Darik Foundation Vulnerable Groups 19 836 € Introducing a Democracy Lesson in the SNC - Pirin TV Association Bulgarian Schools 22 274 € Free Choice or Free of Choice? – Advocacy Center for Independent Living Association for Human Rights of Disabled People 19 986 € Access to Effective Remedies for the Protection of the Fundamental Human Association on Refugees and Migrants Rights of Asylum Seekers in Bulgaria 17 918 € Implementation of Best Practices for Equality of People with Disabilities out of Civil Society Initiatives- Lovech Association Institutional Care 17 899 € Quality of Life Foundation Multicultural Aspect of Humanity 17 788 € Life is Beautiful Foundation Will Find a Way 14 950 € European Citizens Association My Vote 14 283 € One for All, All for One - Developing and Applying a Methodology of Positive Role Centre for Inclusive Education Models against Discrimination in School 11 362 € European Center for Innovation, Education, Raising Awareness of Citizens' Rights - Science and Culture Team 42 8 330 € Creating an Electronic Catalogue of Exemplary Texts of Documents Necessary for the Participation of Victims and Witnesses of Crime in Criminal Legal Aid Program Association Proceedings 6 728 € Zornitsa Association Worthy Place for Everyone 4 996 € Empathy Foundation Language of Tolerance 4 973 € Youth Initiatives for Development and Dialogue Association ‘NO’ to School Violence 4 947 € Development, Care, Communication and Children's Rights during Pregnancy, Baby and Child Association Childhood and Adolescence - 4 856 €

Contemporary Approaches and Applications in Everyday Life.

3.3.2. Thematic priority “Active citizenship fostered“

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Platform AGORA - Active Communities for Development Alternatives Association Life Changing Challenges 45 000 € Reform this! - Journalistic Observation of the Implementation of Reform policies in Key Areas Aiming to Ensure Greater Public Awareness and Higher Civic Info Space Foundation Engagement 43 173 € Strengthening the Role of Student Councils and Turning them into an Active Factor in Decision-Making Processes for Partners Bulgaria Foundation Children at Municipal and Regional Level 39 700 € Bulgarian Charities Aid Foundation The Change Begins from Us 27 351 € Community Donation Fund – Gabrovo Foundation Be active! 19 957 € Forty Two Foundation Everyone Holds the Key 17 991 € Social Support and Information Association Active in the School 18 848 € Community Center ‘Probuda-1901’ - Active Young People for Active Nikolovo Community Centers 17 620 € Future for the Children with Disabilities Association The Voice of Children 8 555 € Open Society Club - Stara Zagora SELFIE 2015.The Supremacy of the Association CiTIZENSHIP 4 825 €

3.3.3. Thematic priority “Increased involvement of NGOs in policy and decision-making processes with local, regional and national governments“

` Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Initiative for Judgement Enforcement as Centre for Legal Initiatives Association a Public Service 48 319 € Health Protection Confederation National Campaign for Patient Policies 40 800 € Federation of Sport for People with Visual Dialogue in the Dark - Model for 38 196 €

Impairments Transparency and Overcoming Social Inequalities Increasing the Effectiveness of Public Association of Lawyers for Development of Consultation through the Active Public Interest Law and Harmonization of Participation of Civil Society in Decision- Bulgarian and European Law Making 33 500 € Creating a Sustainable Mechanism for the Participation of Young People in the Process of Decision-Making at Local and Civil Society Forum Association Regional Level 22 787 € Social Innovation for Community Interaction - Creation of an Inter- Sectoral Partnership for Coping with Depopulation and Youth Unemployment Vibrant Village Foundation in Lovech District 19 989 € Increasing the Civil Sector’s Activity in Order to Enforce Transparency in the Bauersachs Foundation Work of Plovdiv City Council 19 724 € Strategy for a Long-Term Advocacy Campaign for Human and Civil Rights in Rodilnitza Association Maternity Care 16 000 € The NGO Sector - an Active Participant in the Development Process and Danube Centre for Training and Implementation of Public Policies in the Development Association Municipality of Silistra 18 584 € Educating Youth for Civic Activity New Practice for Civic Activity in the Association Municipality of Smolyan 18 000 € Active Parenting: a Model for Promoting the Inclusion of School Boards in Formulating Policies and Making Decisions Together with the School Educational Leadership Association Management 17 739 € Civil Initiative for Web Accessibility in the Horizonti Foundation Public Sector 17 057 € Promotion of Cooperation between Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities in Gotze Delchev Municipality for Improving Health Medical Cluster Association Policies in the Region 17 000 € Analysis of the Socially Significant Diseases among Roma Community, Based on the Work of the Mobile Medical Cabinets. Recommendations for Better Management, Monitoring and Innovations Institute Control of these Cabinets 16 685 €

Educational Trustees' Board and the Local Authority – Together for Integration and Education of Children Board of Trustees at the Special Assistance and Youth with Special Educational School 'Dragan Manchov', Velingrad Needs 16 160 € Independent Monitoring on the Programming Budgeting - a Guarantee for the Participation of the Citizens in the Good Governance Institute Foundation Decision-Making Process 15 916 € Joint development of bike touristic Velo-Ruse Association routes in municipalities of Ruse region 15 299 € CC "Zemedelets - 1899" Active Citizens - Responsible Parents" 4 711 € Agrarian Youth Union Association Youth Council Maritsa 4 121 € Practical Methods for Inclusion of Marginalized and Vulnerable Groups for Participation in Local Government on Sustainable Future Foundation Equal Terms with All Citizens 3 801 €

3.4. Thematic area ‘Social inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable groups ‘

3.4.1. Thematic priority “Empowerment of vulnerable groups“

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Encouraging Civic Participation of Young New Road Association Roma 49 973 € Let's Solve Our Problems Together: 2nd H&D Gender perspectives Foundation Phase" 29 450 € Vocation Association Happy Together 23 516 € Light for Us Association We Exist and We Can 16 997 € Kids with Developmental Problems Foundation CHILD – disCuss and sHare famILy neeDs 19 971 € Gender Project for Bulgaria Foundation Ambassadors of Own Rights 15 924 € By Faith in the Future Association To Help Today for Better Tomorrow 17 857 € Human Rights Project Association Web-Portal Pinto Horse 17 823 € Initiative for Health Foundation Give Over 17 458 € Fortuna Association It’s Never Too Late 15 903 € Community Centre ‘Drujba -1870’ Come into My World 13 916 € United Professionals for Sustainable Development Association Mentoring for Self-Help 11 384 € Association for the development of children and young people in the city of Vratza You Have No Power over Me 8 687 € Association of Directors of Private 'Unity' Center - Support Services and 7 858 €

Student Dormitories in Bulgaria Dissemination of Mechanisms for the Prevention and Self-Support in Aggression Among Students Restart 12 Association With Experience to the Future 4 993 € Centre for Social Enterprise Self-Help and Solidarity for a Full Life 4 972 € Sports Club Worthy Life Association Equal Chance for Everyone 4 730 € Hronika Against Cancer Association for Better Communication, Awareness and Prevention of Cancer Diseases in Gotse Hronika Against Cancer Association Delchev Region 4 396 € Association of Parents of Children with Clean Sanitation in Schools. Challenge or Kidney Disease Care for Children's Health 4 304 €

3.4.2. Thematic priority “Provision of welfare and basic services to defined target groups increased“

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Community Fund Chitalista Pleven Association To Grow Together 47 397 € Global Initiative on Psychiatry – Sofia Supported Living for People with Mental Foundation Health Problems in Sofia 39 375 € Resilience - the Ability to Overcome Ekaterina Karavelova Association Difficulties 31 221 € Parallel World Association Water World 27 849 € Institute for Community-Based Social Services Foundation Mobile Team for Support at Home 17 499 € Computer for the Blind is a Window to Window to the World NGO Knowledge 19 694 € Consultancy Center for Individuals and Hope for the Little Ones Foundation Families ‘Together with Hope’ 17 743 € Legal Defence and Advocacy on Human Building a Culture of Communication and Rights in Bulgaria Association Expression of Disadvantaged Children 17 109 € Aspiration - Sharing Opportunities (Sustainability, Sharing, Creation, Equal Opportunities Association Rhythm, Emotion and Ability) 15 360 € For You Association Youth Development Center 7 550 € Mobile Services for Social Inclusion of Light for Life Foundation People with Disabilities 4 970 € Together for the Children of Targovishte Mission - Possible! 4 997 € Children of Targovishte Association Workshop for Smiles 4 986 € Educational and Social Integration of Sports Club Adapted Physical Activity and People with Disabilities trough Adapted Sport – NSA Association Training and Swimming" 4 955 €

Chance by Skills Association Social Project ‘The Storks’ 4 896 €

3.5. Thematic area “Sustainable development and protection of the environment“

3.5.1. Thematic priority “ Increased contribution to sustainable development achieved“

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Biodiversity Conservation in the Mugla Village Region (Western Rhodopes) and Promotion of the Protected Area ‘Kazandji Dere’ - Precondition for Development-XXI century Association Sustainable Development of the Region 45 011 € About Oborishte Foundation Green Murals 44 180 € Collaborative Action for Enhancing Public Awareness and Motivating Local Governments and Communities for Bulgarian Environmental Partnership Response and Adaptation to Climate Foundation Change 41 950 € Raising the Efficiency and Increasing the Capacity of the Climate Action Coalition - Bulgaria by Developing New Partnerships WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme with the Business Sector. Affect the Bulgaria National Climate and Energy Policies 37 364 € Civic Monitoring for Greener National Legislation and Sustainable Nature Society for Investigation Practices Resource Management 35 600 € Information Society Development Energy Sector Revealed - Bulgarian Foundation Energy Sector Information Portal 19 887 € Decentralized Energy Production by Alliance of the Producers of Ecological Small Photovoltaic Plants - Accessible Energy – BG Association and Advantageous Perspective 20 300 € RS - BALKANKA 2009 – Blagoevgrad How to Adapt Forests to Climate Change Association - an Innovative Contribution of NGOs 19 900 € Euroconsulta Foundation Paulownia: a Green Alternative 19 024 € Learning to Live in Harmony with Nature! Civil Initiatives for Sustainable Development and Environmental Center for Sustainable Development of the Protection in Rural Areas of Smolyan Mountain Association Region 18 298 € Creative Approaches in the Educational Activities for Sustainable Consumption of ECOGRAPH Association Resources 16 149 € Osogovo Tourist Association Green Direct Line 13 500 €

Solar District Heating - Innovative Solution for Sustainable Energy Development, Model for Integration in CREAКTA Association Bulgaria 12 491 € "What is Souslik, Why is Nature" – Setting up of an Working Experiential Educational Model for Training to Children and Youth about Biodiversity Conservation in Natura 2000 Protected Uzana Tourist Association Areas 5 000 € SIPI.eu - Stop Using Plastic Disposable Youth Тrekking and Bike Club Products 4 592 € Sport Orienteering Club Uzana - Gabrovo Orientation in Nature 4 492 € Free Element Club for Sport and Sustainable Development through Sports Adventures in the City of Kazanlak 4 460 € Community Centre ‘Ljuben Karavelov- 1897’ Memory for the Future 4 381 € Practical Educational Eco Activities Community Centre ‘Otetz Paisiy – 1893’ ‘Mission Possible - Think Green!’ 2 395 €

3.6. Thematic area “Capacity building for NGOs“

3.6.1. Thematic priority “Strengthened capacity of NGOs and an enabling environment for the sector promoted“

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Mission Possible: Enhanced Access to EU Birds Funding for Financially Viable NGOs 47 780 € Impact Assessment of Activities of NGOs Opportunity and Protection Association in the Social Sphere 39 176 € Professional Standards and Support for Self-Regulation in NGO Communication BTC ProMedia Foundation via Traditional, New and Social Media 38 700 € Increasing the Capacity of SPOC through Sustainability of Progressive and Open the Development of a Support System Communication Association for Children that are Experiencing Grief 37 520 € Center for the Study of Democracy Association Streamlining NGO Registration 34 000 € Open Doors for Intercultural Exchange and Volunteers between Rehabilitants in the Protected Houses ‘Betel’ in Bulgaria Betel Bulgaria Foundation and Spain 19 671 €

Create your Tomorrow - Art Therapy Wings of Light Association Center for People with Special Needs 19 418 € Community Donation Fund Sliven - Community Donation Fund Sliven Trusted Partner of Charity Causes and Foundation Projects 11 198 € Improving Organisational Sustainability of the Community Centre ‘Otetz Paisiy – 1893’ by Introducing New Technologies Community Centre ‘Otetz Paisiy – 1893’ and Staff Training 7 115 € Fund for Social Perspectives Association Mission Development 6 189 € Association for Encouragement of the Economic and Cultural Development of Capacity Building of NGOs from Small the Villages of Hotantsa and Tetovo, Ruse Settlements of Financial and District – HOTET Organisational Sustainability 4 933 € Increasing the Organisational Capacity of Smile Association the Smile Association 4 808 € Bulgarian-Romanian Trans-border Building the Capacity of the Association Mediation Institute Association BRTMI 4 421 € Capacity Building of the ‘Joy Centre’ by Enhancing the Financial and Joy Centre Organizational Sustainability 4 359 € Initiative for Health Foundation Look Forward 4 338 €

3.6.2. Thematic priority “Advocacy and watchdog role developed“

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Enhancing the Capacity of Access to Information Programme Nongovernmental Organizations to Seek Foundation Public Information 41 673 € Knowledge Association Lovech Capacity for Citizens Monitoring 17 873 € Centre for Educational Programmes and New Perspectives for NGOs in the Region Social Initiatives Association of Yambol 19 225 € Building Skills and Approaches for Center for Regional Development and Advocacy of NGOs in Lovech Region, for Initiatives Association Monitoring and Impact on Local Policies 4 992 € Creating Conditions for Family Policy Family Policy Institute Development in Bulgaria 4 990 €

3.6.3. Thematic priority “Developed networks and coalition of NGO working in partnership“

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

National Network of Bulgarian Film SEVEN Association Societies 48 634 € Development of Coalition ‘Childhood Hope and Homes for Children - Bulgaria 2025’ 41 175 € NGO Network for Analysis of Societal Centre for Liberal Strategies Risks 35 836 € Strengthening of Social Enterprise in Bulgarian Charities Aid Foundation Bulgaria Forum 38 455 € The Library - Common Center for NGO and Local Communities in the Region of Global Libraries - Bulgaria Foundation Kardzhali, Razgrad and Vratsa 36 783 € Building Skills and Knowledge for Development of a Roma Volunteers’ Roma-Lom Foundation Network in the Region of Montana 30 560 € Establishment of Cross-Sectorial Partnerships to Promote Youth Causes Foundation Entrepreneurship 19 490 € Crafts & Design European Network The Fabric Association (CDEN) 19 940 € Financial Literacy Initiative Foundation BG Financial Literacy Map 17 789 € Establishment and Strengthening of Bulgarian National Association Leader Partner Capacity to Develop Small Towns Network Leader NGO Network 17 739 € National Association for Youth - Development of an Efficient Network of Social Dialogue 2001 Association NGOs 15 337 € Mothers against Drugs Association Drugs: Experienced and Evaluated 6 966 € Creating a Model to Involve the Citizens Association of NGOs in the Region Trakia in Local Initiatives 4 955 €

4. EUROPEAN POLICIES PROGRAMME

As a new EU Member State, Bulgaria shares a number of common challenges with the other countries of the fifth enlargement in Central and Eastern Europe. They result from their common historic destiny during the second half of ХХ century, the lower economic development as compared to the older Member States, and the lower level of integration with the European structures. There are concerns that, as a result of the economic and political crises, these differences, as well as the inherited prejudice might aggravate and lead to a less open and more fragmented EU, dominated by the processes of re-nationalization of key policies.

The last country which joined the EU in 2013, was Croatia, however, after that the enlargement process came to a standstill. The candidate countries from the Western Balkans and Turkey, with quite a few exceptions, slowed down the reforms needed for the accession and the EU Member States became more cautious, being engaged with other problems. Although the economic crisis in Europe came to an end in the bigger part of the affected countries, the political crisis aggravated with increasing euro-scepticism and populism, especially in the context of the refugee crisis, the terrorist attacks, as well as other threats for the security and unity of Europe.

Meanwhile, more than nine years after its accession, Bulgaria is facing a number of specific challenges, related to its ability to efficiently counter the organized crime and the corruption, the judicial reform, the problems in the planning and in the implementation of EU funds, the full and equal participation in the decision-making process on European level, as well as a number of deficits of the functioning democracy, which are also challenges for the open society in the country. Bulgaria has two unfinished projects for European integration – Schengen and euro area memberships.

At this background, the role of European Policies Programme is to support the full integration of Bulgaria to the EU, as well as to strengthen the capacity of Bulgarian institutions and citizens to implement the common European policies and to participate in their making.

The programme combines research and analytical approaches with advocacy and monitoring activities.

Through the European Policies Initiative, the programme establishes and develops contacts with research institutes and experts with similar goals in EU and particularly in the new CEE Member States, as well as in the countries participating in the neighbourhood policy and the Western Balkans.

The main goals of the Programme are the following:

. greater “openness” of particular existing EU policies (visa policy, labour market policy, enlargement policy),

. greater relevance of the common policies to the specific needs of the new Member States (economic policies, catching-up policies) . more active civic participation and more efficient use of the potential of the CEE non- governmental sector, created during the transition years, in the European policy- making process.

The European Catch-Up Index of European Policies Programme was continued in 2015 and proved to be one of the main projects of the Programme. The project registers to what extent the Member States from Central and Eastern Europe had “caught up” with the older Member States in terms of the following categories: economy, quality of life, democracy and good governance. A special internet-based and highly interactive platform of the Catch-Up Index was developed - www.TheCatchUpIndex.eu, which provides each user with the opportunity to draw up his or her “own index“ on the basis of the entered data and the functionalities of the platform with graphical representation.

In 2015, there continued the active public presentation of the results of the index and the report “The Gravity Effect: Catch-up Index 2014“, published in December 2014 (in English, published at www.eupi.eu and www.thecatchupindex.eu ). In January 2015, the report was presented in Bulgaria at an event with the participation of the Vice Premier for Coordination of European Policies and the Political Studies Department of Sofia University, and afterwards at other fora.

Based on the index, there were drawn up policy briefs, which are published at www.eupi.eu , as well as in “Politiki” at www.politiki.bg in the form of articles in Bulgarian, as well as publications and interviews in national and international media. In 2015, there continued the collection and analysing of data on 47 basic indicators for 35 countries for the next edition of the “Catch-up Index 2015“, and a report was drawn up, which was published in the first half of 2016.

In 2015, there continued the issuing of policy briefs, which were focussed on important topics and events, associated with the European integration of the new Member States from CEE and EU. They were published on the website www.eupi.eu and on other internet sites, as well as sent by e- mail to over 2500 recipients. The topics of the policy briefs included also issues associated with the accession of Bulgaria to the euro area and Schengen, problems of the enlargement and the foreign policy of EU, dilemmas associated with the security and the civil rights after the Paris attacks, problems of the integration and the relations between the majorities and the Islamic minorities in Europe and in Bulgaria.

In 2015, the Open Society Institute – Sofia implemented the project ‘Civil Activism after the Protests: International Meeting of Activists“ in cooperation with and with the support of Open Society Initiative for Europe (OSIFE). It was realized as part of initiatives for development of civic participation in EU at the background of the considerable intensification and the new forms of activism and public mobilization, mostly in Southern and South-Eastern Europe, in response to the serious public problems on national and European level. The main aim of the project was to provide an opportunity to leading civil activists of European countries to exchange experience and practices, as well as to discuss 24 issues of mutual interest. The main activity consisted in an event held in June in the city of Varna, which brought together almost forty participants of ten countries.

The Open Society Institute-Sofia also took part in the meetings of the Public Consultation Board to the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds to the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, as part of the civil contribution to the process of programming of EU funds and regional planning for the 2014-2020 period and policy-making on European level.

EUROPEAN POLICIES PROGRAMME Sum in Projects implemented by OSI - Sofia Topic EUR Funded by the Open Society Institute - Civil activists after the protests: €33 623 Budapest international meeting of activists Catch-up index 2015 € 19 430

5. GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC POLICIES PROGRAMME

In 2015, the Governance and Public Policies Programme was focused on the implementation of different projects in the field of education and Roma inclusion, including those started during previous periods, as well as those, whose implementation was assigned within the business activity of the Foundation. In this context, there also continued the realization of the Project Generation Facility (PGF), which is part of the initiative of Open Society Institute – Budapest entitled “Enhancing Roma inclusion through capacity building for making the most of EU funds”. The topic about the reform in the healthcare sector was also included in the activity under the Programme, however, not being among the main accents. The Governance and Public Policies Programme continued its cooperation with the World Bank. Report on the non-cognitive and cognitive skills of the Bulgarian population of full age In 2015, the World Bank published a report on the condition of the human resources as regards the main cognitive and non-cognitive skills. The report was the result of the joint panel surveys (a total of 4 waves) of the households in the country, which were carried out by the Open Society Institute – Sofia jointly with the World Bank. The report was presented at numerous fora, including at the annual conference of the „Teach for Bulgaria” Programme (educational aspects), at a meeting of innovative undertakings in Plovdiv (aspects associated with the labour market development) and at a specially organized event at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, which was attended by the rector of SU (aspects associated with the research part of the report and the used methodology). After the presentation at SU, data analysis training was organized jointly with the World Bank, which was attended by NGO representatives, think tanks, universities and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Monitoring of crisis and poverty — macroeconomic, political and social risks In 2015, the Governance and Public Policies Programme continued its traditional initiative Macro Watch for monitoring of the economy and public budgets. Special attention was paid to the Greek financial crisis, the public debt issuance and the budget policy, the process of structural reforms. Analyses of the economic policy, as well as of the condition of Bulgarian economy were discussed at various occasions and were published in the electronic newspaper www.politki.bg of Open Society Institute - Sofia and in the mass media. Analyses related to key directions in the healthcare policies In 2015, the Open Society Institute – Sofia collected data about the attitudes of the population towards the prioritization of the utilization of the limited resources in the healthcare sector. Internationally comparable questionnaire was used, which was designed by Portuguese economists. A policy brief will be published to present the main findings of the survey. Measuring the quality of higher education in Bulgaria In 2015, the team of Governance and Public Policies Programme continued its activities in the field of higher education quality studies. The official publication in November 2015 of the fifth edition of the Ranking System of the Universities in Bulgaria, commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science (http://rsvu.mon.bg/), reinforced its conversion from a system for monitoring of the quality of higher education into a policy making tool. Its data are repeatedly used for the determination of the state subsidy for higher education. The presentation of the results attracted considerable media interest. The accompanying 26 analyses and the information contained therein were published in issue 03/15 of the “Politiki” electronic newspaper. Ready for School - phase 2 In 2015, there was completed the social experiment intended to encourage the attendance of kindergartens by children of Roma origin, which was funded by the World Bank. In the middle of 2015 (May - June 2015), there were carried out sociological surveys among representatives from pre-selected 240 towns based on methodology designed by the World Bank and the Open Society Institute - Sofia. The households were selected still during the carrying out of the first wave of the survey in 2014. Besides the survey among the households, there was also carried out a survey among children living in these households, who were selected to participate in the “Ready for School” project. The survey was carried out based on a methodology designed by the Save the children organization, which is approbated in a number of countries and adapted to be used in Bulgarian language. As a result of this, there were compiled data in electronic form (SPSS), where the information of the household sociological survey and the children test results were entered into. A report for the World Bank was also prepared relating to the activities and the results of the project’s implementation.

Schools of the future: evaluation of the Programme of America for Bulgaria Foundation for improvement of the educational environment at municipal and state schools in Bulgaria “Schools of the future” In 2015, the Open Society Institute – Sofia, in partnership with “AdminSoft”, carried out an evaluation of the programme “Schools of the future” implemented during the last 6 years by America for Bulgaria Foundation. The purpose of the partner organizations was to make a thorough evaluation of the immediate and long-term results achieved by the programme, which is targeting the improvement of the studying process through modernization of the educational environment and the classwork methods. The evaluation included a broad range of analytic approaches and tools. The conducted quantitative and qualitative studies covered approximately 55 000 students and 6 000 pedagogues and principals of over 250 schools. The information from external evaluations of the students was also analysed for more than 60 000 students in 2010 and for about 55 000 students in 2015. Thanks to the range of the participants in the evaluation, it turns into one of the largest surveys in the school education carried out by an organization that is external to the system. The analysis of the evaluation results, which was initiated in 2015, continues during 2016, when the analytical report will be designed and presented in different formats. Dialogue for a new public agreement for the pre-school and school education in Bulgaria For the sixth consecutive year, teachers from Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Lyaskovets and Vratsa develop the teacher leadership model guided by the Cambridge University Professor David Frost and with the support of the Open Society Institute – Sofia. In 2015, the eight active teacher clubs in the country organized in Varna an international seminar “Parents and Teachers – Together for the Success of the Children!” – joint initiative with the international network ITL and the Cambridge University, Great Britain. Within the framework of the forum, there were discussed specific educational cases and problems and debated the 27 opportunities to improve the active teacher model and activate the teachers’ role in the development of the schools, local communities and national educational policies. On 17 and 18 October 2015, the third national festival of the Active Teacher Clubs was carried out in Vratsa. This year, the participants in the festival tried to answer the question: “Why am I a teacher?“ The discussed topics included professional motivation, classroom and school leadership, as well as the support mechanisms within the teacher community. The teachers shared their emotions and experience relating to their role in contemporary school and kindergarten by means of inspiring speeches, pantomime, provocative presentations and colourful posters. During the festival, the clubs conducted a research interview among themselves, shared their findings and studies on the children’s way of learning, and presented the learning styles and techniques, memorizing tricks and other useful tips how to support the children in the process of learning skills development. The discussion also included certain ethic issues associated with the relations between teachers and students, parents and colleagues, paying special attention to the role of the teacher in the capacity of leader in the classroom and school processes. During the festival, the teachers exchanged learning credits, whereby they agreed upon future joint developments, opening the classroom doors to colleagues, echange of ideas, meetings over a cup of coffee or tea and discussing topics that are interesting to them, expert consultation, etc.

Monitoring and support of the educational policies in Bulgaria In 2015, the experts of the Educational Workshop to the Open Society Institute – Sofia took active part in a number of public initiatives dedicated to the changes in the educational system. In the eve of the adoption of the draft of the Pre-School and School Education Act, the Open Society Institute – Sofia actively participated in the drawing up of a common opinion of a group of non-governmental organizations regarding the draft document, which outlined the most important opportunities for improvement of the legal base in the sector. After the adoption of the new Pre-School and School Education Act, representatives of the Open Society Institute – Sofia were invited to participate in the working groups engaged with the drawing up of the state educational standards. By order of the Minister of Education and Science on the setting up of a working group for the drawing up of the draft state educational standards for quality management in the institutions, the representative of the Open Society Institute – Sofia was selected to participate and he actively presented his opinions at the discussions of the operational panel of the working group in charge of the preparation of the relevant ordinance. During the year, the Open Society Institute – Sofia, as a non-profit organization, which is part of the monitoring mechanism in an advisory capacity within the Committee for Monitoring of Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth” for the programme period 2014-2020 (OP SESG), presented its opinions within the process of formation of the Committee’s positions, when adopting planning documents and designing a number of operations under the programme. In 2015, the Open Society Institute – Sofia also continued to participate in the Committee for monitoring of project BG051PO001-3.1.06 "Enhancing the quality of education at the 28 community schools through introduction of all-day organization of the learning process", implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science under OP Human Resources Development.

5.1. GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC POLICIES PROGRAMME Projects implemented by Topic Sum in EUR OSI - Sofia Development through teacher leadership in € 2 580 Bulgaria

6. ПЛАТФОРМА ЗА СЪЗ 5.2. PROJECT GENERATION FACILITY The Project Generation Facility (Facility, PGF) is part of the programme "Making the most of European Union structural funds for Roma inclusion" (MTM) of the Open Society Institute - Budapest. PGF is managed by Open Society Institute – Sofia under the GPP Programme in consortium with 6 other organizations, distributed on regional principle: Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe” – Veliko Turnovo, World without Borders Association – Stara Zagora, “LARGO” Association – Kyustendil, Roma Foundation – Plovdiv, New Way Association – Hayredin, Vratsa Region, Integro Association – Razgrad. In 2015, the Facility continued to provide free of charge consultations to applicants for projects under the structural funds of the EU, working in favour of Roma communities, providing them with free of charge access to the same level and quality of project design and opportunities for advocacy, offered at high prices by consultants and consulting companies under the Structural Funds (SF). This is also evident from the achieved success rate, which is much higher than the usual for the typical funding applicant and is comparable to the efficiency of the good consulting companies. The consulting services were provided on the territory of the whole country for municipalities, schools, kindergartens and non- governmental organizations. The consulted topics were in the field of education, social services and employment. In 2015, thanks to the operation of the Facility, 4 projects were approved for funding under the Structural Funds to the total amount of almost BGN 1.5 million and other 29 projects are waiting to be ranked. During the past year, the Mentoring service was broadly applied for support of PGF beneficiaries that have already won projects, but which have difficulties in implementation, reporting, preparation of competitions under the Public Procurement Act. In 2014, the PGF was also focused on building the capacity of representatives of the non- governmental sector, working in the field of Roma inclusion, through the organization of trainings in different spheres. Summarized PGF statistics for 2015 Terminated Submitted Project Non- In the consultation project proposals funded process of Year Total or project proposals funded under project consultation not waiting for the Structural proposals or research submitted evaluation Funds

2015 73 9 29 2 29 4 total = BGN 1 463 537

Roma Project Generation Facility

Sum in Organization Topic EUR Regional Development Foundation “Roma Regional partners for the € 5 389 Plovdiv” implementation of the programme Liberal Alternative Association Regional partners for the € 13 770 implementation of the programme Intregro Razgrad Association Regional partners for the € 5 491 implementation of the programme World without Borders Association Regional partners for the € 5 389 implementation of the programme Center for Interethnic dialogue “Amalipe” Regional partners for the € 15 440 implementation of the programme New Way Hayredin Association Regional partners for the € 5 389 implementation of the programme Roma Project Generation Facility – complementary and refundable grants

Sum in Organization Topic EUR Kupate Roma Public Council Partner in the implementation of € 2 593 project “Work locally develops globally –but green!” ПЛАТ А ЗА СЪЗДА

6. LEGAL PROGRAMME

The mission of the Legal Programme consists in safeguarding the principles of rule of law and fundamental human rights in the process of reforms of the Bulgarian judicial power and law enforcement authorities.

Rule of Law

In 2015, within the framework of the “State of Democracy” project, the Programme designed and implemented for the first time a sociological tool for studying and evaluation of public attitudes towards the state of democracy, rule of law and fundamental human rights in Bulgaria. Within the study, a national representative sociological survey was carried out and its results were presented on 14 May 2015 at the conference “Democracy and Civil Participation. The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations“. The study also included the designing of methodology for conducting of thematic inquiry with experts for evaluation of the state of the rule of law in the country, which will be carried out in the begging of 2016.

The designing of a sociological tool to survey and evaluate the public attitudes regarding the principal constitutional values provides an opportunity to monitor and record the effect of the policies applied on national level for the encouragement of the civic participation in the government, the protection of the fundamental human rights and the rule of law, as well as to identify the problem areas, in which the civil organizations need to be more active and special public policies need to be planned and pursued.

Fundamental Human Rights

In 2014 – 2015, with the support of the Programme for Support of Young Professionals of the Think Tank Fund to the Open Society network of foundations, a temporary position was opened within the Legal Programme for a trainee researcher in the field of public policies for promoting equality. In competition with 11 other candidates, the position was won by Marina Kisyova de Heus, Master in International Peace Studies at Trinity College of the Dublin University, Ireland, Bachelor in Psychology at NBU, with former experience in the carrying out of sociological surveys. The trainee researcher assisted in the work of the Programme in the surveying of public attitudes towards the hate speech in Bulgaria and carried out independently a comparative survey of the specialized institutions for investigation and countering hate crimes in several European countries. The report on the research will be published in 2016.

In 2015, there was celebrated the 800th anniversary as of the adoption of the Great Charter of the Liberties in Great Britain, one of the first legal instruments, limiting the absolute power of the monarch and proclaiming the principles of rule of law and protection of individual rights of citizens. In this respect, on 3 June 2015, a competition was launched under the Programme for student essays and works of young lawyer scientists on the topic “Historic significance of Magna Carta of 15 June 1215”. 18 students from five legal faculties in the country and two young scientists participated in the competition. In partnership with the embassy of Great Britain and America for Bulgaria Foundation, on 23 October 2015, the Programme organized a public lecture of the British historian Prof. David Carpenter of Kings

College, London. This occasion was used to celebrate the anniversary and to hand in the prizes of the participants in the competition.

Transparency and accountability of the institutions

On 26 June 2015, the Programme published the results for Bulgaria of the „Migrant Integration Policy Index – MIPEX 2015“. The index is a research tool for monitoring and evaluation of the public policies to integrate migrants in the main host countries within and outside EU. It is produced by the Migration Policy Group (Brussels) for the fourth consecutive time. For 2015, Bulgaria ranks 31st out of 38 monitored countries and the national migrant integration policies are assessed as “halfway favourable“. The most problematic fields in the integration of the immigrants from third countries legally residing in Bulgaria remains the limited access to education, labour market, citizenship and the few opportunities for political participation.

Within the framework of the third part of the project “The Price of Justice in Bulgaria”, the Programme continued to monitor and evaluate the efficiency in the implementation of the public funds for the judicial and law enforcement authorities in the country and to prepare the final publication with findings and recommendations of the experts.

Opinions and proposals

The Programme drew up and presented an opinion to the Legal Affairs Commission of the National Assembly as regards the updated strategy of the government to continue the reform of the judicial system in the period 2014 – 2020, adopted by decision of the Council of Ministers of 17 December 2014. The Programme’s opinion was presented in front of the members of the Legal Affairs Commission at the Commission’s meeting on 15 January 2015. It contains recommendations mainly for strengthening the independence of the court and improvement of the access to legal aid of vulnerable social groups.

In relation to consultations organized by the Ministry of Justice, the Programme developed an opinion related to the priority areas for reform of the education in law in the country as a prerequisite for the improvement of the state of justice, which was submitted to the Ministry on 17 February 2015 г.

LEGAL PROGRAMME Projects implemented by OSI - Sum in Topic Sofia EUR State of Democracy €6 396 800 years Magna Carta € 4 307

7. PUBLIC DEBATE PROGRAMME

In 2015, the Public Debate Programme of the Open Society Institute – Sofia continued to work for the encouraging of the public debate on priority issues of the open society agenda. The contribution of the Programme to maintain the debate within the society on key issues concerning the state of democracy and human rights in Bulgaria was mainly realized through the electronic newspaper of the Institute Politiki.bg and the carrying out of the annual sociological survey on the state of public attitudes, as well as through the presentation of the data from the survey at the OpenData.bg platform.

The conducted field omnibus survey during the period March – April 2015 provided up-to- date data about the public attitudes on topics and priorities that are key to the programmes of the Open Society Institute – Sofia, evaluation of the state of democracy; economic attitudes and state of the country, including attitudes towards the reforms and key public policies; attitudes towards the EU, the euro area and the accession of Bulgaria to Schengen; electoral attitudes; trust in the media and media consumption.

Within the framework of its limited opportunities to provide small grants during the year, the Public Debate Programme supported the “Handbook for Electoral Reform” project of the Civic Platform “MOVE.BG”.

PUBLIC DEBATE PROGRAMME

Sum in Organization Topic EUR

Electronic publication and promotion Civil Platform for Debate and Joint of “Handbook for Electoral Reform” € 3 375 Action MoveBG

Projects implemented by OSI-Sofia Topic Sum in EUR Electronic newspaper “Politiki” €9 450 Sociological omnibus survey € 11 942

8. EMERGENCY (CRISIS) FUND

The Emergency Fund to the Open Society Foundation was founded in order to support the civil sector and vulnerable groups in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to face the negative effects related to the global economic crisis. In 2015, the project of Capital Foundation ended. Within its framework, there was prepared a specialized publication presenting existing good practices and models in the activity of NGOs and promoting them as inspiring personal stories.

The Programme also supported a project of “Marginalia” Association for an online edition for information, analyses, comments and other materials, dedicated to the state of human rights and the level of democracy. There was also supported a project of the Louis Braille National Community Center concerning the publishing of braille and electronic books for sight-impaired children and adults. EMERGENCY (CRISIS) FUND

Sum in Organization Topic EUR Capital Foundation Raising the authority, influence and capacity of NGOs through popularization of inspiring good practices – in partnership with “Economedia” AD and “Rusaliite” Riding € 11 707 Club

Marginalia Association Need of online platform for human rights in a situation of economic crisis 9 066 € Louis Braille National Community Publishing of braille and electronic € 4 985 Center books ПРОЕКТИ

9. ROMA PROGRAMME

In 2015, the Roma Programme continued pursuing its key strategic aims and priorities. In this respect the following initiatives and activities were carried out:

Initiatives aimed at the establishment of interethnic tolerance and overcoming of the negative public attitudes towards the Roma people

Support for Roma integration 2013-2020

Within the framework of this initiative, the Programme participated in the public debate relating to the progress achieved in the implementation of the national strategic documents concerning the Roma community. Representatives of Roma and non-Roma NGOs, local and national authorities and experts took part in the debate.

Internet portal for ethnic minorities Ethnos.bg

The internet portal http://ethnos.bg/ethnos.php is maintained by the Roma Programme by means of mobilization of internal resources and external experts. The portal provides information related to the legislation in the field of human rights, education, employment and other issues, which are essential for the Roma community. The portal is a source of news, information of on-going competitions and events and one of the most valuable parts of the portal is the database with contact information of organizations of the ethnic minorities.

Initiatives for Roma capacity building for full participation in public life

Scholarship programme for doctors and post-graduate medicine students of Roma origin

The project “Roma Health Care” of the Open Society Institute – Budapest, in cooperation with the Scholarship Programme of the Roma Education Fund and the Roma Programme of the Open Society Institute – Sofia, implemented a project aimed at supporting the education in medicine, the mentorship and the training in advocacy of the Roma students in Bulgaria. 38 young Roma people from across the country received financial support for their education at higher educational establishments in the country and took part in the training in advocacy, organized by the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe”. In the course of their training, the students are supported also by mentors – a component realized by the Open Society Institute - Sofia. The project also contains a communication component carried out by the Intelday Foundation.

Scholarship programme for students of Roma origin at Bulgarian universities Roma memorial university scholarship programme 2014 – 2015

The Open Society Institute – Sofia administered the scholarship programs of the Roma Education Fund - Budapest. For the academic 2014-2015, the Programme for scholarships for students of Roma origin at Bulgarian universities (Roma Memorial University Scholarship Programme) granted 250 scholarships to Bachelor, Master and PhD students. 35

Traineeship programme Bridging Roma and Career Opportunities at the US Embassy

Within the framework of the project, three youths of Roma origin were selected by representatives of the Open Society Institute – Sofia and the US Embassy in Bulgaria to spend a 10-week summer traineeship and to improve their skills for work in a multicultural environment and their knowledge in English. The traineeship is carried out each summer since 2011.

ROMA PROGRAMME

9.1. Scholarship programme for doctors and post-graduate medicine students of Roma origin

Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Partner implementing the Advocacy € 22 575 Tolerance “Amalipe” component

Intelday Foundation Partner for the Media component € 23 660

9.2. Traineeship programme Bridging Roma and Career Opportunities with the financial support of the US Embassy

Sum in Trainee EUR Lyubka Kostova Georgieva € 562 Musi Slavchov Stoyanov € 562 Daniela Stoyanova Zaharieva € 562

10. PROJECT DESIGN UNIT

In 2015, the Project Design Unit worked on the preparation of project proposals and technical offers for the provision of services in relation to the implementation of the strategy and the achievement of the aims of the Open Society Institute - Sofia. The bigger part of these project proposals will be evaluated in 2016. In May 2015, after participation in a competition, the Open Society Institute – Sofia entered into a contract with the America for Bulgaria Foundation for the implementation of the Evaluation of the Effect of the School of the Future Initiative Project. The project was designed and is being implemented until the end of 2015 with the active participation of the unit’s team. In November 2015, after participation in an open procedure, there was signed a contract with the Secretariat of the Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues (NCCEII) through the administration of the Council of Ministers concerning the review, analysis and evaluation of the legislation, structures, systems, good practices for carrying out of monitoring, evaluation, control, network of stakeholders, who are to submit data and information to the System for monitoring, evaluation and control for the implementation of the National Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria for Integration of Roma People 2012-2020 under the Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2014-2020. The Open Society Institute – Sofia is the leading partner for the provision of the service in consortium with Industry Watch Group, Risk Monitor Foundation, Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance “Amalipe”. In 2015, the Unit participated actively also in the elaboration of the Quality Management System of Open Society Institute - Sofia, in relation to the certification of the Institute under ISO 9001:2008, as well as in the structuring and organization of the relevant QMS documentation. The Project Design Unit also prepared the annual audit of the system. The annual review made by the auditing organization, which reviews the compliance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 on an annual basis, resulted in a positive evaluation of the Open Society Institute – Sofia.