120 MINUTES FOR UNICEF
Together we can bring care, protection and education to every child
Vladi is one of the first babies taken out of the institution in Shumen. Petya saves him by becoming his foster parent. 🩵
Today, Rosi and six other children from Mogilino are already living with the family of the Pink House in Ruse—where they receive care, attention, and love. 🩵
With the support of the specialists from “Zona ZaKrila” in Shumen, Ivelina finds light where there was once only darkness. 🩵
GIVE WINGS, Child Advocacy and Support Centers
Violence has no place in children’s lives. Help UNICEF provide support and protection to children and families who have suffered or are at risk of violence.
UNICEF has developed a model of a specialized service for integrated and comprehensive support for children who are victims and witnesses of violence and their parents, called “Zona ZaKrila.” The model provides a safe space where children and their families can receive free help, hope, and support “under one roof” from competent and well-trained psychologists, social workers, and lawyers. The teams work in collaboration with child protection departments, the education system, the police, the prosecution, and the judicial system, while facilitating the efforts of all institutions in the best interest of the child. The model is innovative and was launched in 2015, initially piloted in three regions of the country in partnership with the government, the municipalities of Sofia, Shumen, and Montana, the Social Activities and Practices Institute (SAPI), and the “Animus Association” Foundation.
To meet the ongoing needs for specialized support services of victims across the country, since 2023, UNICEF has been supporting the implementation of the model in new regions and municipalities. The goal is to apply the model in existing social services, where teams will specialize in the methodologies and standards Zona ZaKrila through:
- Training
- Supervision
- Advocacy
- Building a network for multidisciplinary and intersectoral work on cases of child violence
- Developing a professional network and community of practitioners applying the Zona ZaKrila model.
Currently, the model is applied in a total of 11 regions in Bulgaria. In addition to the pilot services, which are now funded by the municipalities of Sofia, Shumen, and Montana, it is being developed in eight new regions: Kyustendil, Yambol, Varna, Vidin, Burgas, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, and Stara Zagora.
Help more children affected by or at risk of violence to have wings again.
GIVE Education for every child
Every child – regardless of their abilities or difficulties, background and ethnic origin, religion or culture – has the right to quality, inclusive preschool and school education.
In recent years, inclusive education in Bulgaria has undergone a significant transformation – from isolated practices and institutional segregation to a more structured, legally regulated and supported system for the inclusion of children with special educational needs, children with different mother tongues, from vulnerable groups, or with other specific needs. A number of important changes have been initiated, aimed at improving access, quality, and the effectiveness of education for all children.
Despite all reforms and progress, the Bulgarian education system still faces significant challenges in providing quality and inclusive education for every child. Kindergartens and schools often lack the necessary resources and support to effectively implement inclusive education. Despite investments in capacity-building and training activities for inclusive education, teachers face challenges in managing diversity in the classroom, addressing violence, and planning and applying individualized learning goals. Many students have unsatisfactory educational outcomes, including low language and mathematical literacy. Despite efforts to reduce school dropout rates, a significant number of children still leave education prematurely.
UNICEF works with partners and government institutions, civil society organizations, international organizations, and the corporate sector to ensure quality, inclusive preschool and school education for every child.
Help every child gain access to education and reach their full potential.
GIVE A CARE, Home Visiting Care
The birth of a child is a wonderful and exciting moment, but for many families it also comes with numerous questions, uncertainty and challenges. Parents often need support, guidance and reassurance, but many families do not have access to such help. Existing services do not always devote enough attention to parents’ mental health, the development of parenting skills, or the support of early childhood development. This creates inequalities and places many families in a vulnerable situation precisely during the period when support is most crucial.
Since 2012, at the initiative of the Ministry of Health, UNICEF has supported the development and introduction of the service “Home Visiting Care for Pregnant Women and Families with Children up to 3 Years.” According to the adopted methodology, Mother and Child Health Centres were established in the regions of Sliven and Shumen, within medical centers that are part of regional hospitals. They provide free services to all pregnant women and families with young children who wish to use them.
From the start of the programme until the end of 2024, with the support of UNICEF, our donors and partners, the home visiting service has reached more than 16,700 families, and home-visiting nurses and midwives have carried out over 200,000 home visits. In 2024 alone, 2,895 pregnant women and mothers of young children received valuable information, guidance and health support from trained nurses and midwives through the home visiting programme.
Help every child to receive care and love.
GIVE PROTECTION for refugee and migrant children
Every year, thousands of children cross borders, driven out by war in their homeland. Alone, without their families. From armed conflicts to natural disasters, climate change and political instability – today’s world confronts children with many challenges.
Never before have so many children been forced to flee their homes in order to save their lives. They are exposed to risks of violence and exploitation by smugglers and traffickers, detention, and a lack of long-term solutions for their future. In the past five years, more than 15,000 unaccompanied children have sought protection in our country.
Bulgaria extends a helping hand to them.
Together with the government, local authorities, civil society organizations, professional associations and other UN agencies, UNICEF works to ensure effective care and protection for refugee and migrant children, so that their rights are safeguarded and their needs are met.
Help every child receive the protection, care, and services they need to thrive.
Every time you help a child, you give a hope.
Donation channels
Find here the most convenient way to donate to UNICEF and support our work for every child.
General Terms & Conditions of the BLAGODETEL programme of UNICEF Bulgaria
FOR MONTHLY DONATIONS