IOM Bulgaria

03/02/2026

✈ IOM Bulgaria believes that migration which takes place in a safe, orderly and dignified manner is beneficial for migrants, governments and societies.

Today, the AVRR team supported a migrant from Syrian Arab Republic in his safe and dignified return home, in line with IOM’s commitment to humane migration.

🇪🇺The project “Information and Support for Voluntary Return and Reintegration” is funded by Bulgaria’s National Programme under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021–2027, with the financial support of the European Union and the budget of the Republic of Bulgaria.

02/02/2026

🏠 IOM Bulgaria | Safe Zones Snapshot 2025

📊 In 2025, IOM continued providing comprehensive care to unaccompanied minors (UAMs) in the Safe Zones at RRC Sofia (Voenna Rampa & Ovcha Kupel) and, from August, at RRC Harmanli.

Key figures:
🏠 526 UAMs accommodated
🤝 634 social consultations
💬 125 psychological consultations
🩺 137 children received medical assistance
🎓 443 non-formal educational activities
⚽ 525 sports activities organised

🌱 Beyond daily support, 2025 also brought moments of connection and growth — from community gardening and sports tournaments to creative and recreational activities.

📖 Read the full snapshot here ↗️ https://bit.ly/4qgkCmK

🇪🇺In 2025, the Safe Zones were managed under the projects “Support for Unaccompanied Minors Accommodated in Safe Zones” and “Establishment of alternative arrangements for comprehensive social care services for unaccompanied refugee children in Bulgaria” funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021–2027, with the financial support of the European Union.

🤝 Държавна агенция за бежанците при Министерския съвет

29/01/2026

💪Staying Active Indoors: Supporting Well-Being in the Safe Zones at RRC Sofia – Ovcha Kupel

❄️During the colder winter months, when outdoor activities are limited, movement and physical exercise become especially important for both physical and mental well-being.

🏠 In the Safe Zone at RRC Sofia – Ovcha Kupel, unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors (UAMs) take part in simple indoor fitness activities in the small gym space in the Safe Zone. 🏋️‍♂️Together with IOM Bulgaria’s social workers , these moments of physical activity provide more than just exercise. They offer a healthy outlet for energy, help reduce stress, support emotional balance, and create a sense of routine and normalcy in everyday life.

🧩 These activities are part of the holistic care provided in the Safe Zones, alongside continuous social, psychological, and legal support — ensuring that every child feels supported, engaged, and cared for.

🇪🇺 The Safe Zones in Sofia are managed within the framework of the projects “Support for Unaccompanied Minors Accommodated in Safe Zones” and “Provision of Support to Asylum Seekers in Bulgaria”, funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021–2027, with the financial support of the European Union.

29/01/2026

🚀 МОМ България стартира първото си обучение по български език на ниво Б2 🌟

През месец януари 15 граждани на трети страни започнаха онлайн обучение по български език – ниво Б2. Това е първото обучение на това ниво, организирано от МОМ, и е доказателство за последователния ангажимент на организацията към развитието на езиковите компетенции на мигрантите в България.

Проектът „Обучение по български език за легално пребиваващи мигранти“ предоставя подкрепа за обучение на нива А1, А2, Б1 и/или Б2.

До момента 449 граждани от Украйна, Филипините, Нигерия, Турция, Мексико, Сирия, Непал, Ливан, Пакистан, Руската федерация и други държави, с легално пребиваване в България, включително лица с международна или временна закрила, са включени в обученията.

Езикът е ключ към участие, самостоятелност и принадлежност.
МОМ продължава да инвестира в устойчиви решения за интеграция. 🇧🇬💬

🇪🇺Проектът „Обучение по български език за легално пребиваващи мигранти“ е финансиран от Националната програм ана България по Фонд "Убежище, миграция и интеграция" 2021 -2027, с финасовата подкрепа от Европейския съюз и бюджета на Република България.

27/01/2026

МОМ България с радост отбелязва срещата между г-жа Кристина Мауер-Стендер, Специален представител на Регионалния директор на СЗО за Европа, и г-н Радослав Стаменков, Ръководител на мисията на МОМ в България, по повод успешно реализираната съвместна инициатива за курсове по български език за украински медицински специалисти.

Инициативата е в съответствие с Глобалния кодекс на СЗО за международното наемане на здравни кадри, EU4Health и Директивата на ЕС за разселените медицински специалисти и подпомага тяхната професионална интеграция. Обучението, проведено по стандартите на Общата европейска езикова рамка, подготвя участниците за сертифициране на ниво B2 или по-високо и улеснява ефективната комуникация и реализация в българската здравна система.

С радост отбелязваме срещата между г-жа Кристина Мауер-Стендер, Специален представител на Регионалния Директор на СЗО за Европа и г-н Радослав Стаменков, Представител на IOM Bulgaria, която е по повод успешно реализираната съвместна инициатива за предоставяне на курсове по български език за украински медицински специалисти в страната.
Инициативата е в съответствие с Глобалния кодекс за практика на СЗО относно международното наемане на здравни кадри, инициативата EU4Health, както и с Директивата на ЕС за разселените медицински специалисти, насочена към улесняване на тяхната професионална интеграция в приемащите държави.

Обучението се проведе по стандартите на Общата европейска езикова рамка и подготвя участниците за сертифициране на ниво B2 или по-високо, подобрява комуникацията с пациенти и колеги и подпомага реалната им професионална реализация.

27/01/2026

📈 Our in-person Bulgarian language courses in Sofia move forward from Level A1 to Level A2 — and this step is even more meaningful. The same group, the same people, the same shared commitment.

💡 Learning doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows through trust, consistency, and human connection. By meeting face to face, participants build confidence not only in the language, but also in themselves — step by step, word by word.

From first greetings to real-life conversations, this course is more than grammar and vocabulary. It’s about belonging, integration, and opening doors to new opportunities in Bulgaria.

🇪🇺The project “Bulgarian language training for legally residing migrants”, funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027 with the financial support of the European Union.

23/01/2026

📽️ Watch the story of Nataliya Vasylieva – a powerful account of hope, solidarity, and a new beginning. 🇺🇦

Since the beginning of 2025, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bulgaria has been working in partnership with the Bulgarian Red Cross to support the integration of newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in the country.

🏠The support includes financial assistance for housing, access to employment opportunities, Bulgarian language training, and other key measures aimed at fostering successful integration and self-reliance.

Български Червен кръст (Bulgarian Red Cross)


🇪🇺 The project "Integration Support for Refugees from Ukraine" funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027 with the financial support of the European Union.

22/01/2026

🌱 Bridging Worlds, Healing Lives🌍

🏠What does it mean to feel safe again after a difficult journey? In IOM's Safe Zones in Sofia, the cultural mediators Samar and Roula help unaccompanied children rebuild trust, learn new languages, express themselves through art, and take their first steps toward a new future.

✨Through everyday moments — from creative workshops and language classes to medical visits and simple conversations — they become bridges between cultures, between fear and belonging.

Read the full story and spend a day with IOM Bulgaria’s cultural mediators here 👉
https://bulgaria.iom.int/stories/bridging-worlds-healing-lives-inside-bulgarias-safe-zones-unaccompanied-minors

🤍

🇪🇺IOM Bulgaria’s cultural mediators operate within the framework of the project “Provision of Support to Asylum Seekers in Bulgaria”. IOM’s Safe Zones in RRCs in Sofia are managed within the framework of the project “Support for Unaccompanied Minors Accommodated in Safe Zones”. IOM’s Safe Zone in RRC Harmanli is managed within the framework of the project “Establishment of a residential-based environment for comprehensive social care for UAMs in Bulgaria,” These projects are funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021–2027, co-financed by the European Union.

15/01/2026

🏠In the Safe Zones managed by IOM Bulgaria in the Registration and Reception Centres in Sofia, everyday activities become opportunities for growth, connection, and well-being for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors (UAMs).

🤝Together with IOM Bulgaria's social workers, a dedicated cultural mediator supports the children through a variety of non-formal and recreational activities designed to meet them where they are.

🎯A game of darts helps build concentration and confidence, 🎨colouring sessions offer calm moments for creativity and self-expression, 🎮while digital board games like Ludo on a tablet encourage cooperation, strategic thinking, and shared enjoyment.

🧩🎨 These activities create a safe and inclusive space where children can relax, interact, and regain a sense of routine. The presence of a cultural mediator also helps bridge language and cultural differences, ensuring that every child feels understood, included, and able to participate fully.

Beyond play, these moments strengthen trust, support emotional resilience, and contribute to the holistic care provided to UAMs in the Safe Zones — alongside continuous social, psychological, and legal assistance.

🇪🇺 These activities are implemented within the framework of the projects “Support for Unaccompanied Minors Accommodated in Safe Zones” and “Provision of Support to Asylum Seekers in Bulgaria”, funded under the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021–2027, with the financial support of the European Union.

14/01/2026

🎲📚 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning and Play in Harmanli’s Safe Zone

Every child deserves a space where they can feel protected, supported, and simply be a child. 💙

At the Safe Zone for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the Registration and Reception Centre in Harmanli, IOM Bulgaria’s social workers work every day to ensure that children feel safe, engaged, and supported.

Through non-formal educational activities, board games, and creative sessions, the team creates a structured yet welcoming environment where children can relax, learn, and connect with one another. Whether it’s watching a favorite TV show together, building focus and teamwork while playing Jenga, or taking part in interactive, non-formal lessons, these moments help restore a sense of normalcy and routine.

👧🧒 Such activities are more than just play — they support emotional well-being, encourage social interaction, and help children develop important skills in a safe and caring setting. Alongside these sessions, the IOM experts provide continuous social, psychological, and legal support tailored to the individual needs of each child.

🇪🇺 The activities are implemented within the framework of the project “Establishment of alternative arrangements for comprehensive social care services for unaccompanied refugee children in Bulgaria”, implemented by the State Agency for Refugees and funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021–2027, with the financial support of the European Union.

07/01/2026

📣 МОМ оголошує набір на безкоштовні очні курси болгарської мови – рівень A1 у Бургас! 🌟

💡 Хочете покращити мовні навички та легше інтегруватися в Болгарії? Це ваша можливість!

📅 Початок: 12 січня
📍 Місце проведення: Бургас, вул. «Райна Княгиня» №11

🕒 Групи:
🔹 Група 1: 10:00 – 12:30
🔹 Група 2: 12:30 – 15:00

⏳ Тривалість курсу: приблизно 2 місяці
📚 Заняття: з понеділка по п’ятницю

📝 Після завершення курсу:
✅ Підсумковий іспит
✅ Сертифікат
📌 Мінімальна відвідуваність — 70%

📩 За додатковою інформацією та записом – звертайтеся в приватні повідомлення iombglearn@iom.int
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🔈 МОМ България набира курсисти за безплатни присъствени курсове по български език – ниво A1 в гр. Бургас! 🌟

💡 Искате да подобрите езиковите си умения и да се интегрирате по-лесно? Това е вашата възможност!

📅 Начало: 12 януари
📍 Място на провеждане: гр. Бургас, ул. „Райна Княгиня“ №11

🕒 Групи:
🔹 Група 1: 10:00 – 12:30
🔹 Група 2: 12:30 – 15:00

⏳ Продължителност: около 2 месеца
📚 Занятия: от понеделник до петък

📝 В края на курса:
✅ Финален изпит
✅ Сертификат
📌 Минимум 70% посещаемост

📩 За повече информация и записване – пишете ни на iombglearn@iom.int

🇪🇺 The project "Integration Support for Refugees from Ukraine" funded by the National Programme of Bulgaria under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027 with the financial support of the European Union.

24/12/2025

✨ Season’s Greetings from IOM Bulgaria ✨
As the year comes to a close, we extend our sincere thanks to all partners and colleagues for your trust, support, and cooperation throughout the year.
May the holiday season bring peace, warmth, and renewed hope to you and your loved ones. Together, let us continue working toward a more inclusive and compassionate future for all. 🤝🌍
🎄✨ Wishing you joyful holidays and a successful year ahead.