On 24 June 2025, representatives of institutions, non-governmental organizations, and social service providers gathered at Hotel Bulgaria in Burgas for the official launch of the project “Migrant Information Centres – Support for the Social Inclusion of Migrants in Bulgaria,” implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded under Bulgaria’s National Programme of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021–2027, co-financed by the European Union.

The event was opened by Maria Samuilova , Programme Coordinator at IOM Bulgaria, who presented the goals and vision of the four-year project. The initiative aims to deliver comprehensive integration services to third-country nationals (TCNs) through a network of Migrant Resource Centres in Sofia, Varna, Burgas, and IOM’s sub-office in Harmanli. The focus lies in bridging the gap between emergency assistance and long-term inclusion in society.

The opening session was followed by dynamic discussions and the sharing of best practices and challenges, particularly regarding migrant integration in Bulgaria’s southeastern region.

One-Stop Shop Model for Service Access

Gergana Bacheva, Expert on Project Activities at IOM, introduced the concept behind the IOM Migrant Resource Centres, which operate as “one-stop shops” for legal, healthcare, educational, employment, and emergency support services. She emphasized the importance of a coordinated and comprehensive approach that responds to migrants’ real needs while minimizing administrative barriers.

Milena Karakanova, Coordinator of Caritas Sofia’s Career Centres, joined the panel to present the activities of their centres in Sofia and Burgas, where migrants receive personalized counselling and career guidance.

Stela Dimova from the Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR) offered a brief presentation on the Compass Center in Burgas, part of a broader network of community centres established in partnership with UNHCR. The panel underscored the importance of accessible physical spaces for information and support, as well as the need for improved local-level coordination.

Institutional Perspectives

Borislava Yordanova, Senior Expert at the Regional Administration of Burgas, and Vasil Prodromov from the Municipality of Pomorie shared their experiences working with refugees and migrants. While acknowledging local progress in several initiatives, they also pointed to challenges related to institutional capacity and interagency coordination, particularly in smaller municipalities. A brief discussion followed, focusing on ways to strengthen cooperation.

Working with Vulnerable Groups

A particularly powerful moment came from Tsvetelina Todorova, Head of the Transitional Home for Unaccompanied Minors in Burgas. She spoke about the hardships these children face and stressed the importance of an individual approach, consistency, and care as key elements for successful integration.

Labour Market and Education Integration

Representatives from the Center for the Development of the Social Economy and Caritas Vitania in Burgas shared data and effective models for migrant employment. Nelly Kostadinova and Tatyana Kirova highlighted the significance of counselling and access to vocational training, while also addressing ongoing barriers such as language difficulties and lack of documentation.

From the education sector, Burgas Free University and Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University presented their programmes and initiatives to support migrant access to academic and community life.

Civil Society in Action

The event concluded with a spotlight on civil society organizations and volunteers. Nataliya Novosolova from the Wings of Good Foundation, Olena Karavaeva from the Trinity International Education Centre, Liliya Turash from Fond Dobro, and Zinaida Zapototska, a volunteer and cultural mediator with IOM, shared their ongoing activities in support of migrant communities—from language and cultural initiatives to psychosocial assistance and advocacy. Their contributions were united by a shared focus on building trust, connection, and inclusion.

The opening event brought strong attention to the real needs and integration potential of migrants in Bulgaria. With over 3,000 expected beneficiaries, IOM’s Migrant Information Centres project is set to offer more than services—it strives to be a stepping stone toward dignity, independence, and full inclusion in Bulgarian society.