Open Sofia Foundation

The Open Sofia Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting the community and develop an active network for internationals living in Sofia and Bulgaria, foreigners who moved or are thinking about moving to Bulgaria, Bulgarians returning to their homeland after living abroad and local Bulgarians connected to the international community through work, family, education and cultural interest. The Open Sofia Foundation has managed the social media community for internationals in Sofia and Bulgaria since its creation, a Facebook group which today has around 30000 members. A multicultural forum which has been the entry point for newcomers, with the members sharing useful information, organizing events and support causes. Thanks to a team of passionate and dedicated contributors, a website with resources ( https://www.opensofia.org/) was launched in March 2020. Our mission is to create an informational space for the international community in Sofia and Bulgaria. Our aims are: • Integration by the dynamic, multi-actor process of mutual engagement that facilitates effective participation by all members of a diverse society in social and cultural life, and fosters a shared sense of belonging at national and local levels; • Inclusion by improving the terms of participation in society for people who are disadvantaged on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or another status, through enhanced opportunities, access to resources, voice, and respect for rights; • Supporting diversity as we believe that differences of each individual and different people, in general, brings many benefits to an organization and to the society; • Promotion and facilitation of cross-sector networking for innovation, enrichment, inclusion, cooperation, exchange of transferable skills, attitudes, and competences; • Cooperation of foreigners and Bulgarians for common and mutual benefit. Our methods: • By partnering with other organizations committed to creation of a better Bulgaria and participation in international projects and initiatives; • Volunteering in different activities involving people with fewer opportunities, young people, and NEETs; • Participating in trainings and bringing fresh ideas and content in our work; • Networking and cooperation with non-governmental organizations, enterprises, and experts from various fields: youth, consulting, training and education, coaching; • Organizing seminars, trainings, workshops dedicated to competencies and trends in personal and organizational development; • Organizing events to socialize, share good practices, create a support network for newcomers; • Adventure learning, creativity, and spontaneity; • Systemic work and constellations. Our target group: Young and adult internationals living in Sofia and Bulgaria, foreigners who moved or are thinking about moving to Bulgaria, Bulgarians returning to their homeland after living abroad and local Bulgarians connected to the international community through work, family, education, and culture interest. Specifically, young adults who are looking for their first job and career, changing career, new educational qualification, relocating, or experiencing certain limitations due to their nationality, religion or socio-economical situation. Regular activities: • On-the-job competence building for youth (local and international) by opening positions and recruiting motivated young people who take roles in the foundation; • Training, counseling, and guidance of youth on career and education paths; • Networking events and festivals for youth to gather, share, exchange, brainstorm, initiate actions on important for them topics; • International project partnerships management; • Knowledge and skills about how to work in the IT field and design; • Content creation (videos, articles & interviews) for variety of topics concerning life in Bulgaria Open Sofia answers people’s important questions about the numerous situations they face e