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Contest "AGORA 2011" in partnership with Habitat Bulgaria

AGORA Platform announces for a third consecutive year Contest "AGORA" for the Most Successful Civic Initiative implemented by a Chitalishte.

The Contest will award practices, projects and initiatives implemented by Chitalishtes in 2011 that have stimulated civic participation in community problem solving, responded to real community needs, mobilized support for various causes, enhanced the solidarity and trust, and supported building active communities for local development. We expect the submitted entries to focus on the role of Chitalishte as a civic organization and community development center.

The Contest is organized by AGORA Platform in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Republic of Bulgaria, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, VIVACOM, Habitat for Humanity Bulgaria, University Press "St. Kliment Ohridski" and United Bulgarian Bank with the media support of dir.bg, dnes.bg and ngobg.info (Information Portal of Bulgarian NGOs).

For the first time

Give Roma Hope This Christmas

This holiday season we are asking you to support our Give Roma Hope campaign and offer Roma families in Bulgaria the gift of a secure home.

The Roma population of Bulgaria, according to some estimates, is between 500,000 and 800,000 people. Almost half of them are currently living in poverty housing. This usually means no heating, running water, or bathroom. Very often homes are overcrowded or simply falling down. Many of the houses are in segregated neighborhoods on the outskirts of major cities.

As a result, Roma are caught in the vicious cycle of poverty, where lack of proper housing limits their educational opportunities, ability to learn skills and to earn a decent wage.

Habitat has developed programs in Bulgaria to meet the needs of Roma families. You can also help these families break the cycle of poverty and make the first step towards a brighter future.

Watch Give Roma Hope Video: http://youtu.be/85LMYUduzCM

Read more about the challenges Roma people face:

Higher Standards for Habitat for Humanity Organization and Its Activities in Bulgaria

Habitat Bulgaria is one of the seven national organizations, among nearly one hundred countries in which the organization Habitat for Humanity works, that was chosen for the piloting input of the new higher standards of working process, management practices, transparency and reporting - Standard of Excellence II.

Between 06 - June 9, 2011, Habitat Bulgaria hosted the seminar "Standard of Excellence II", which was attended by representatives of the national office of the organization, as well as over 15 experts from 7 countries, including HFHI Headquarters in Atlanta - U.S., HFHI Europe and Central Asia Area Office in Bratislava - Slovakia and the National Habitat Organizations from Romania and Macedonia.

During the seminar through presentations and debates were discussed strategic directions for the future development of Habitat Bulgaria as well as opportunities for improvement of the internal organizational standards in order to be developed at a proper level - mark for

Habitat Bulgaria with two new partners

From the end of April and the beginning of May, Habitat Bulgaria started working with two new partners, AGORA Platform - Active Communities for Development Alternatives and "Roma Lom" Foundation.

In the course of its policy of expansion and development, Habitat Bulgaria has concluded an agreement for extending the collaboration with its existing partners, Association Pleven Public Fund – Chitalishta and NGOs Club - Targovishte. Currently, Habitat Bulgaria is discussing to continue its successful cooperation with Association Amala-Priateli, Dupnitsa.

Habitat Bulgaria, in cooperation with partnering organizations, is continuing the successful practice of a microfinance program improving the living conditions. The funds operated by Habitat Bulgaria with the aid of its local partners are directed to support the individuals who do not have access to typical banking services by giving them interest free and short-term loans. The funds are revolving and may be used repeatedly

Habitat Bulgaria participates at first Housing Forum Europe & Central Asia

The first Housing Forum Europe & Central Asia looks into housing issues and calls onto all governments in the region to find sustainable and affordable housing solutions.

The three-day gathering brought together almost 150 delegates from 48 organizations and countries. They came to discuss key issues of the housing sector and to create an evidence-based agenda for promoting and achieving a vision for sustainable housing for all in the region. The Forum was organized by four international organizations – Habitat for Humanity International, the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

On behalf of Habitat for Humanity Bulgaria, Mincho Benov, executive director, and Boriana Parvanova, project manager, participated.

These were the conclusions of the first Housing Forum Europe & Central Asia that finished on April 6, 2011, in Budapest, Hungary. It also

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