The National Network of Educational Mediators has been established – a key step for the sustainability and development of the profession

On July 29, 2025, the founding meeting of the National Network of Educational Mediators (NNEM) was held in Veliko Tarnovo—the first organization of its kind, bringing together educational mediators from across the country. The meeting was attended by 20 founders – educational mediators from across the country, who einstimmigly adopted the statutes, the founding act and the governing bodies of the new association, laying the foundations for a national structure to support and advocate for the profession. The network is set to expand its membership to include even more mediators across the country.

The establishment of the network is the result of four years of efforts to unite educational mediators, within which the informal network has already engaged over 350 mediators from different regions of Bulgaria. The creation of a legal entity will enable stronger representation, greater sustainability, and even more active work to improve the educational environment.

Representatives of key organizations and institutions also participated in the meeting. Deyan Kolev, chairman of the Amalipe Center, greeted the participants and emphasized the importance of the network for sustainable development and institutional recognition of the profession of “educational mediator.” He pointed out that the creation of an independent and representative organization is a natural process that is already becoming a reality.

Violeta Dimitrova, coordinator of the Educational Opportunities and Achievements program at the Trust for Social Alternative (TSA), also participated online. She congratulated the founders on the step they had taken and expressed TSA’s readiness to continue supporting the development of mediators and efforts to provide better education for every child.

The event was also honored by Mr. Lalo Kamenov, director of the Center for Educational Integration of Children and Students from Ethnic Minorities (CEICSEM), who sent a special video message. In it, he expressed his confidence that the network will play an important role in improving interaction between schools, families, and institutions, as well as in improving the educational outcomes of children from vulnerable communities.

You can watch his video message here:

Atanas Atanasov, long-time coordinator of the informal network of educational mediators, was elected chairman of the National Network of Educational Mediators. He expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and stated that the organization would work for effective representation, professional development of mediators, and sustainable solutions to support children and families in vulnerable situations.

“Today we are laying the foundation for a strong, independent, and united structure that will be the voice of educational mediators in Bulgaria. Our mission is to continue building bridges between families, schools, and institutions so that every child has an equal chance at education. The network is and will remain independent—it is not and will not be affiliated with any political party, nor does it have any religious affiliation. Our cause is purely professional and public – to support every child, every family, and every school,” said the newly elected chair.

The establishment of the network is an important step in the four-year process of uniting mediators, supported by the Amalipe Center . The association is about to be registered, and the first initiatives for building regional structures, training, and advocacy activities are being prepared, which will bring together hundreds of educational mediators and social workers from across the country.