Bistra Ivanova, EWSI country coordinator for Bulgaria since 2015 and co-founder and chairperson of NGO Multi Kulti Collective since 2011, was recognised as one of ten Outstanding Young Persons of Bulgaria in an annual awards ceremony - the TOYP - by the Bulgaria branch of the Junior Chamber International (JCI). 

TOYP is a programme that recognises the achievements of young people from 18 - 40 years old who create positive change in society. The competition has been organised by JCI organisations in over 100 countries since 1933. 

The jury for this year's award comprised 32 members from EU institutions, Bulgarian institutions, business, science, media, civil society, and sport. The ceremony took place in Sofia at the end of June. Ivanova won in the category of humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership, for her 15 years of work in the protection of human rights, supporting migrant/refugee integration and encouraging volunteering among Bulgarian and migrant communities. She has solid experience as a project manager, researcher, communications expert, and cultural manager at both national and EU level, and initiated Bulgaria’s first Manifesto on Refugee Integration (2022). Her work has been recognised by the European Commission, the OECD and the President of Bulgaria, among others. 

Other Bulgarians granted the award in the past include former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, founder of the biggest Bulgarian educational platform (Ucha.se) Darin Madzharov, Bulgaria’s current UN Youth Delegate Kosta Karakashyan, and Nurgyul Salimova, Woman Grandmaster in chess.