Fostering Women’s Civic Participation in Rural Bulgaria
The EmpowerHER North: Enhancing Women’s Public Participation in Northwestern and Northern Central Bulgaria project is a compelling example of strategic intervention to advance women’s public participation in rural regions. This initiative of the Female Entrepreneurship Bulgaria Foundation (FEB) was implemented over eight months in 2024.
The northwestern and northern central regions of Bulgaria are characterized by lower levels of civic engagement, particularly among women, due to historical, economic, and social constraints. Recognizing this gap, FEB devised the project to address not only the immediate need for greater participation but also to lay the groundwork for lasting social change. The primary objective was to increase women’s agency in the civic, economic, and public spheres by equipping them with knowledge, practical tools, and platforms for engagement.
The main highlight of the project was a workshop that offered a transformative three-day learning experience designed to promote women’s civic participation in these regions. Bringing together 25 participants, it combined dynamic training sessions led by experts with exercises and thematic discussions. Topics ranged from the evolution of women’s rights and the legal and ethical dimensions of civic engagement to innovative approaches for amplifying women’s voices in local governance. As one participant remarked, “Understanding your rights is the first step toward empowerment and meaningful participation in civic life”. The workshop also produced a series of podcast episodes that extended its impact beyond the event itself and fostered a broader community dialogue.
A key achievement of the workshop was the cultivation of practical skills and collective confidence among participants. Through role-play, decision-making exercises, and collaborative problem solving, they developed strategies to overcome barriers to engagement and explored methods for effective advocacy and project fundraising. The event underscored the importance of solidarity and active citizenship, echoing the idea that “Every voice matters and is a powerful instrument for change”. The program concluded with a forward-looking discussion in which participants affirmed their readiness to drive lasting positive change within their communities.
Another notable achievement of the project is the formation of a vibrant, self-sustaining community of empowered women that serves as a model for grassroots civic engagement in similar contexts.
The project’s outcomes were widely disseminated through various media channels, including newspaper articles, local radio broadcasts, and podcasts, ensuring continued visibility and inspiration for further action.
The EmpowerHER North: Enhancing Women’s Public Participation in Northwestern and Northern Central Bulgaria project showed the transformative potential of well-designed civic engagement initiatives. By addressing structural barriers and fostering a culture of active participation, it not only empowered individual women but also contributed to the broader democratization and social development of Bulgaria’s rural regions. Its model and outcomes offer valuable insights for organizations seeking to promote gender equality and civic agency in comparable settings.
The EmpowerHER North: Enhancing Women’s Public Participation in Northwestern and Northern Central Bulgaria project, supported by the Engaging Central Europe program of the Transatlantic Foundation, was implemented under the PROTEUS program and co-funded by the European Union.
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Transatlantic Foundation (TF) or the European Union (EU). Neither the EU nor TF can be held responsible for them.
