Hope and Homes for Children – Bulgaria was among the awarded participants of the Annual National Awards for Social Innovation, organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy at an official ceremony on December 22 in the Millennium Grand Hotel, Mozart Hall. Our organization received second place in the “Social Innovations Related to Social Inclusion” category for the work and advocacy of the Child Participation Program. Boyan Krastev, a 9th grade student at 105 School “Atanas Dalchev”, who is a member and has been in the program since 2017, received the award. He thanked the Ministry and emphasized his motivation to be a part of this cause and continue to advocate for the welfare of children along with his friends and like-minded people. Boryana Klimentova, program director of Hope and Homes for Children – Bulgaria also thanked.
“The world is always emotionally young and puts us to the test. Our task is to pass it on to our children a little fairer, more understanding of children’s problems and more comfortable for them.” Our advocacy program aims to convey messages from those who do not have the fortune of growing up in a family environment, have physical and emotional differences, but have a right to happiness. Many young people learn to be critical of their behavior and the behavior of adults. They learn to pay attention to small details in their daily lives and to know their rights and obligations in society. The children’s participation program at Hope and Homes for Children will continue to identify the imperfections in our society and through advocacy will also offer new initiatives in the coming year.
Boyan Krastev presented to the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Mrs. Nataliya Efremova with the Guidebook of Children’s Participation developed by the children.