WE SUPPORT LIFELONG LEARNING FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

After the successful first edition and the great interest, Sofia Development Association (SDA) and Young Talents 50+ launched the second edition of the digital skills course for people over 50 years old on 7 November 2025.

The course is free of charge and is held within the framework of the Synclusive project, funded by the Horizon Europe program. It is intended for people over 50 years old from Sofia, unemployed or employed, and aims to improve their professional skills in the field of digital technologies: working with artificial intelligence, using cloud services, cybersecurity (protection of personal data, devices and working with public digital services). Online consultations are also available between the in-person sessions. In addition, meetings with employers are organized within the course to support the job readiness and employability skills of the participants.

The trainings are part of the activities of SDA and SofiaLab, aimed at improving the employment of people 50+ in Sofia, with a focus on women. As a result of the previous trainings, some participants have already managed to find a new job.

Follow SDA’s page for project news and access to research and analysis on the topic, as well as good practices from the international project partners for labor market inclusion of vulnerable groups.

THE NEW CLIMATE SHELTER IN SOFIA TRANSFORMS A NEGLECTED URBAN SPACE INTO A COMMUNITY HUB

A neglected municipal courtyard in Sofia’s Draz Mahala neighborhood has been transformed into an urban climate shelter – a place that offers rest and coolness during the summer heat, while revitalizing one of the city’s more vulnerable areas. The pilot project by the Sofia Development Association, under the Be Ready project of the Interreg Danube Region Programme, co-funded by the EU, turned 350 square meters of unused municipal land into an attractive green space co-designed with local residents.

Located near Lion’s Bridge – one of the city’s busiest and most heat-exposed transport arteries – the climate shelter responds to a pressing urban challenge: the growing impact of urban heat islands. The area is home to a significant number of vulnerable citizens and disadvantaged groups, including elderly people, low-income households, and migrants.

The transformation began in May with a workshop that brought together residents, students, artists, NGO representatives, and migrants to shape a shared vision for the space and define its community needs. What followed was a dynamic collaboration that engaged over 130 citizens and the Sofia Development Association team in volunteer activities and artistic interventions.

Through joint effort, the site was cleaned up, all sealed surfaces were replaced with permeable ones, and a shaded relaxation area with a water mist cooling system was built. In a neighborhood where there is only one public drinking fountain per 50,000 residents, the installation of a new one is a major benefit. With expert guidance from the University of Forestry and ecologists from Serdika District, climate-resilient trees and plants were planted, along with a small community herb garden. The climate shelter also includes other ecological features such as composting, a rainwater collector, an insect hotel, and birdhouses.

Young artists and designers from Studio Vazel brought the space to life with visual art and installations that tell stories and engage visitors in environmental care.

The climate shelter has been warmly welcomed by local residents, offering a new space for relaxation, amenities such as blood pressure measurement, board games, opportunities to work in the herb garden, and to host small community events. The pilot project was carried out with the support of municipal councillors from the Sofia Development Association’s Board of Directors and the district administration, and was highly praised for its innovative approach, inclusive design, and effective use of municipal property for public benefit.

The project proved the feasibility of the urban acupuncture concept – creating small, smartly designed “pocket parks” that bring relief where large-scale investments are not possible.

Be Ready is an Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union.

PEER REVIEW VISIT IN VARAŽDIN

On October 3-4, 2025, the Bulgarian partners in Be Ready, Sofia Development Association and Bureau for Integration and Social Innovations, visited the city of Varazdin for a peer review of the local pilot.

The intervention chosen by the city was implemented at Mali plac, a small urban square in Varaždin, identified as one of the city’s urban heat islands in the city’s vulnerability and risk assessment report, part of Be Ready’s UHI assessment methodology. The selected area is a residential zone, with brick and panel apartment buildings from the 1980s and 1990s. The location had not undergone any investment or upgrade since its construction, which had left the space outdated, lacking shade, with very little green coverage. Due to the lack of greenery and adequate infrastructure, the square is exposed to excessive heat during the summer months, creating uncomfortable and often unsafe conditions for citizens, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.
Within the framework of the BeReady project, the Development Agency North, in cooperation with the City of Varaždin, designed and executed the intervention based on “white measures” aimed at mitigating the urban heat island effect. The intervention included the construction of three new canopies providing much-needed shade during peak summer heat. The space was additionally equipped with new urban furniture such as benches, tables, and swings, making it more attractive, functional, and user-friendly for the local community. New solar panels will be installed and will provide lighting of the canopies.

The peer review visit coincided with a public launching event at the pilot site, which brought together many residents, stakeholder organizations (such as the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, the Faculty of Science (University of Zagreb), the Red Cross, the Institute for Spatial Planning of Varaždin County, HEP – Croatian Electricity Company, the Architects’ Association of Varaždin, Parkovi Varaždin (municipal company for green areas), and the Regional Energy Agency. The mayor of the city also attended, reaffirming the city authorities' committment to continue the efforts for making Varaždin more climate change resilient.

It is estimated that around 2,000 people will benefit directly from the improved microclimate and infrastructure during the summer months, while the indirect benefits extend to the wider community of Varaždin by providing a model for climate adaptation that can be replicated in other neighborhoods.

The approach applied at Mali plac is relatively simple, low-cost, and easily replicable; it is in line with Be Ready’s methodology for testing acupuncture measures to address UHI effects. Similar interventions — such as installing shading structures and equipping public spaces with basic urban furniture — can be implemented across different neighborhoods in the city. By targeting other identified urban heat islands, the municipality can gradually improve microclimate conditions throughout Varaždin, creating a network of cooler, more comfortable public spaces that directly benefit residents and visitors alike.

Be Ready is an INTERREG Danube Region project co-financed by the European Union.

THE FINAL CONFERENCE OF THE GENDERED COALITION PROJECT BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER 140 PARTICIPANTS IN PARIS AND ONLINE

On September 29, 2025, the international closing conference “Disinformation, Gender and AI: The Power of Media and Information Literacy” was held at the Research Center of Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris. The event marked the culmination of the GenderED Coalition Project, carried out with the support of the Creative Europe programme, and highlighted the collaboration with the partner project Algowatch.

The conference gathered more than 140 participants – both in person and online – including experts, activists, educators, and representatives of institutions from across Europe. The programme presented the results of both projects: the MOOC, the Community of Practice, media campaigns developed by each partner, and other exhibition materials aimed at enhancing media and information literacy and fostering a more inclusive digital society.

The Sofia Development Association co-organized the event. Among the speakers was Avel Ivanov, a young Bulgarian teacher at a school of philosophy, politics, and society, who joined a panel discussion on the role of education and the media in tackling disinformation.

“Today, young people are thrown into complex technological systems and online worlds that are difficult to navigate. The content that girls and boys receive is fundamentally different and often reinforces ideas about the ‘proper’ type of masculinity and femininity,” Ivanov noted, emphasizing the need for targeted efforts to promote media literacy and critical thinking among adolescents.

During the discussions, experts stressed the importance of combining educational approaches, policies, and technological solutions to counter disinformation and to promote gender equality in the digital environment.

The results and resources developed by the GenderED Coalition Project will remain available to all interested teachers, students, communities, and organizations seeking to advance media literacy and build resilience against disinformation.

CHISINAU AND GALATI REPRESENTATIVES VISIT MUZEIKO AS SOFIA GOOD PRACTICE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

As part of a peer review exchange under the Be Ready Project, implemented in the framework of Interreg Danube Programme and co-financed by the European Commission, municipal representatives from Chisinau (Moldova) and Galati (Romania) visited Sofia to explore urban strategies for adapting to rising temperatures and mitigating urban heat.

A key highlight of the exchange was the visit to Muzeiko – Sofia’s Municipal Children's Science Center. The center, designed with sustainability at its core, provided an inspiring look at how educational institutions can contribute to climate awareness. Through engaging exhibitions on climate change, ecology, and sustainability, curated by scientists, educators, and designers, Muzeiko fosters curiosity and environmental responsibility among young visitors.

Muzeiko also presented its green roof, and shared insights on developing climate shelters, rain gardens, and other sustainable urban infrastructure. The center's integrated sustainable management serves as a model for future climate adaptation efforts.

The exchange highlighted strong potential for transnational replication of Sofia’s good practices, contributing to a more climate-resilient Danube Region through shared learning and collaboration.

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme co-funded by the European Union.