News

22 January 2026

"I would like to congratulate you on being here today and on making children's participation your cause. I am delighted that there is so much interest in this event. In my work, children's participation has always been a focus. My meetings with students and children from different cities are some of the most important and inspiring moments. I strongly believe that in order to have a better future for the children of Bulgaria, we must listen to their voices today."

This was stated by Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva in her welcome address to the participants in the "Participate Now" project, organised by the "Hope and Homes for Children - Bulgaria" Foundation.

The event was held as the final stage of the project at the Ramada Hotel in Sofia in the form of a "World Café" – an interactive method that encourages dialogue and active participation. Children and young people from the “Aleko Konstantinov” family-type accommodation center for children and young people with disabilities, “Hristo Botev” family-type accommodation center for children and young people with disabilities, “Ivan Vazov” center for social services for children without disabilities, as well as participants from the foundation's children's programme took part. Experts from the State Agency for Child Protection, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, and the Agency for Social Assistance also attended to support the initiative.

During the meeting, children and adults worked together, drew pictures, and answered questions such as: What is important to you but is often overlooked? When does a child feel truly supported? How can we make children's participation even stronger? And what do you want to say—here and now?

The responses—both written and in the form of drawings—sent clear messages about children's needs, rights, and dreams, reminding adults that children's voices must be heard and taken into account. The main idea of the event was to encourage children's participation, self-expression, self-confidence, and active citizenship among children and young people.