SOFIA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION was founded as non-profit organization with the decision 348
of the Sofia Municipal Council to work for the sustainable development of the capital.
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MEET NADYA: FROM JOB-SEEKER TO THRIVING SOCIAL WORKER
Nadya Koteva, a dedicated social worker, has embarked on a successful new career at a Health Recovery Center. Her journey is a powerful example of how targeted training and community support can open doors to new professional opportunities—at any stage of life.
Nadya is one of the participants in the training programme under the Sinclusive project, organized by SofiaLab. She completed the full programme, progressing from the introductory course on personal skills and motivation in November 2024 to the final course on digital skills in November 2025.
After losing her job about a year earlier, Nadya registered at the local Labour Office in a small town near Sofia. She recalls that labour offices in smaller communities often provide limited opportunities for training or reskilling, while available job openings are frequently filled even before they are officially announced. Based on her experience, discrimination against women aged 50+ remains widespread and visible.
Nadya discovered the SofiaLab courses on Facebook. Joining the first course on personal skills and motivation gave her the “confidence and self-esteem” she needed to apply for a position at the Recovery Center. Learning alongside people facing similar challenges created an inclusive and supportive environment that she found both motivating and empowering. Nadya says the course helped her “build confidence, communicate better, and present herself and her strengths” more effectively during the job interview. She received an offer immediately after the interview.
Now, six months into her new role, Nadya describes her work as deeply “energizing and rewarding,” despite the inevitable challenges. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the SofiaLab programme and to begin a new stage in my career. Beyond the new skills, the most important result for me is the belief in my own abilities and the strength to move forward independently.”
Nadya’s story is equally inspiring for the SDA and SofiaLab teams. Her only suggestion for improvement is to extend the duration of the courses. To date, more than 100 participants have successfully completed the programme, and Nadya is among those who have confidently re-entered the labour market.
For more information about Synclusive and its upcoming activities, visit https://synclusiveproject.eu and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094526
OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE SDA AND SOFIALAB SYNCLUSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
On November 21, 2025, the Sofia Development Association (SDA) and Young Talents 50+ proudly celebrated the successful completion of their training program within the Synclusive project. Over 100 participants have now enhanced their digital and professional skills, positioning themselves to find better opportunities in the labor market.
The program, which began in November 2024, offered a series of free courses focused on personal skills, motivation, and green and digital skills. These courses were designed for job seekers or career changers, particularly women and men over 50. The goal was to improve their professional capabilities in areas such as communication, job search strategies, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity (including data protection and working with public digital services), and more.
In addition to the training sessions, the program included meetings with employers to further support participants in their job search efforts. We are pleased to share that several participants have already secured new positions as a result of the program.
This initiative is part of SDA and SofiaLab's ongoing efforts to enhance employment opportunities for people over 50 in Sofia, with a special focus on women. This demographic faces a range of challenges in the labor market, including discrimination based on age and gender, as well as a lack of targeted programs to improve qualifications and retention in the workplace. There is a growing need for personalized, affordable, and flexible training and support programs for individuals over 50.
We are inspired by the enthusiasm and willingness to learn demonstrated by our participants. Their stories motivate us to continue developing successful learning formats and building communities of like-minded individuals. We will also be meeting with employers and labor policy experts to share insights from the program and explore new initiatives.
Stay connected with the SDA page for updates on the project, as well as access to research, analyses, and best practices from international project partners on the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the labor market.
For more information about Synclusive and its upcoming activities, visit https://synclusiveproject.eu and follow us on LinkedIn and X.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094526
COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS SEMINAR: "A STRONGER VOICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN EUROPEAN CITIES AND REGIONS"
On 8 November 2025, an offsite seminar of the Committee on the Committee on Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC) of the European Committee of the Regions was held in Sofia under the title: "A Stronger Voice of Young People in European Cities and Regions: The Role of Young People's Participation in Society and the Economy".
The forum brought together representatives of European and local authorities, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs and youth leaders from all over Europe, who discussed policies and initiatives for more active inclusion of young people in social and economic processes. The initiative for the hosting of the Bulgarian capital is the representative of Sofia in the Committee of the Regions, Tsvetelina Simeonova-Zarkin.
Sevdalina Voynova from ASR was among the speakers at the event, together with the Chairman of the Committee Heike Raab, the Deputy Mayor for Finance of Sofia Municipality Georgi Klisurski, the Member of Parliament Nikolay Denkov, the Member of the European Parliament Hristo Petrov, young entrepreneurs, representatives of civil society organizations. Sevdalina took part in the panel on fostering youth innovation and entrepreneurship through specially designed support systems – from programming and vocational training academies to mentoring programs and incubators.
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.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094526
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.