Over 50 Educational Mediators from Southeastern Bulgaria Joined the Second Regional Training in Stara Zagora
On March 6, the second regional training for educational mediators from the regions of Stara Zagora, Yambol, Sliven, and Burgas was held in Stara Zagora. More than 50 educational mediators took part in the meeting, where they exchanged experience, discussed the challenges in their work, and received guidance on how to more effectively support students and parents from vulnerable communities.
The training was attended by Deyan Kolev, Chair of Center Amalipe, Atanas Atanasov, Chair of the Network of Educational Mediators, Lalo Kamenov, Director of the Center for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities, Valeri Angelov, expert at Center Amalipe, and Stefan Stefanov, mediator coordinator.
During the meeting, Lalo Kamenov introduced the participants to upcoming trainings that will be funded through the Swiss–Bulgarian Cooperation Programme. He emphasized the importance of additional professional qualification for the development of educational mediators and for increasing the effectiveness of their work at the local level.
Atanas Atanasov presented the newly established Network of Educational Mediators, which is now officially operational. He explained the objectives of the network, the opportunities for membership, and its role in improving coordination and support among mediators across the country.
Deyan Kolev shared up-to-date information regarding funding opportunities and support for educational mediators working with vulnerable groups. He also delivered a presentation titled “The Advantages of Bulgaria as Part of the European Union,” highlighting the opportunities that EU membership provides for the development of education and social inclusion.
Valeri Angelov focused on the practical work of mediators with parents. He shared specific guidance and good practices for more active communication with the parent community and for achieving better results in keeping children engaged in the education system.
The training took place in an active and productive atmosphere, with participants discussing real cases from their practice and exchanging ideas for improving their work with students and parents. The meeting once again highlighted the key role of educational mediators in promoting educational inclusion and strengthening the connection between schools, families, and communities.
The regional meetings of educational mediators this year are funded by the Project “DROM EU – Access to education of the Roma community through interaction with Educational Mediators as advocates of EU values” of the Amalipe Center within the framework of the project “Roma civil society organizations in support of the values of the European Union” (ROVA), coordinated in Bulgaria by the Integro Association and funded by the European Union.
