News

17 December 2025

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva and a team of experts from the Institution consulted citizens from the city of Pernik today during an outreach reception meeting held in the municipal building. 

Over 30 people sought assistance on various issues related to decisions by the Technical Expert Medical Commission (TELK), problems with infrastructure and accessible architectural environment, lack of public toilets, violated social and labour rights, property rights, consumer cases – water and sewerage services, district heating, electricity supply, waste collection, the activities of collection agencies, banks, and quick loan companies.

During the reception meeting, the Ombudsman and a representative of the National Social Security Institute in Pernik also held an explanatory information campaign entitled "Pensions in euros".

The initiative was launched after the Institution of the Ombudsman received reports indicating that the currency conversion process was causing concern among a significant number of elderly people.

The campaign is mainly aimed at elderly people in connection with the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2026. The Ombudsman's experts, in cooperation with the National Social Security Institute, have been conducting consultations throughout the country for four months on the conversion of pensions into euros and on how to recognize counterfeit banknotes in order to prevent fraud.

Brochures and information booklets provided by the Ministry of Finance and the Bulgarian National Bank were distributed on site, containing accessible and understandable information about the conversion at the official exchange rate of 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN.

Earlier in the day, the Ombudsman held an open lesson on civic education at 6^th "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" Secondary School, founded in 1843 as a church school. During the screening of a film about its creation, it became clear that this is the oldest school in the city, combining tradition and innovation, and that throughout its more than 180 years, its students have been its most important asset.

Students from grades 10-11 discussed with Delcheva the rights of children and young people, as well as the role and powers of the national public defender. It also became clear that the 6^th "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" Secondary School has its own school ombudsman and publishes a student newspaper.

During her visit, Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva also participated in a video podcast, in which she talked about the work of the Institution and encouraged students to be active citizens, to defend their opinions and to develop their sense of justice.

"Protect your voice as it matters. Remember that the Ombudsman Institution always supports children and their rights. If you need my help, I am always here for you," Velislava Delcheva concluded.