Friedrich Naumann Foundation Bulgaria and North Macedonia

12/06/2026

🚨 Democracy is changing. So is the internet. So is politics. Last 4 days left to apply for »GenNow«™ 2026 , do not miss the chance to join this flagship capacity-building in Bulgaria!
⚡ “The Ensh*ttification of Democracy: Politics in the Age of Strongman Gone Mad”
📍 Sofia, Bulgaria
📅 2–6 September 2026
📝 Apply by 16 June 🔗 https://bit.ly/4wOwC3u
❓ Join young changemakers from across East & Southeast Europe to discuss populism, authoritarianism, TikTok politics, digital culture & the future of liberal democracy. No doomscrolling. No despair. Just GenNow™.
🎥 Workshops. Debates. Media Labs. Real Conversations.
TARGET Audience
🎯 Young people active in politics, civil society, media, campaigning, digital communication, or content creation.
🌍 Participants from Türkiye, the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and EU member states in the region — are encouraged to apply.
is organized by FNF East and Southeast Europe and Friedrich Naumann Foundation - Turkey

19/05/2026

🎂 Today we’re celebrating our birthday: 68 years of standing up for freedom.
🎉Since its founding on May 19, 1958, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has not only been a voice for in Germany, but has also worked around the world to promote freedom, human rights, the rule of law, democracy and free markets.
💪 Every day, we work to empower people through scholarships, training programs and educational projects. We encourage people to speak up, get involved and become politically active.
🫶 Thank you to everyone who stands with us and supports freedom every day.

🎂 Today we’re celebrating our birthday: 68 years of standing up for freedom.
🎉Since its founding on May 19, 1958, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has not only been a voice for in Germany, but has also worked around the world to promote freedom, human rights, the rule of law, democracy and free markets.
💪 Every day, we work to empower people through scholarships, training programs and educational projects. We encourage people to speak up, get involved and become politically active.
🫶 Thank you to everyone who stands with us and supports freedom every day.

22/04/2026

❗ A decisive election result ends Bulgaria’s political stalemate of 8 elections in 5 years, but leaves open key questions on governance, reforms, and its role in Europe.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria’s election may mark the end of political deadlock - and the start of a new chapter.
🗳️ A clear majority of 44.6% for Progressive Bulgaria Party, led by Rumen Radev (131 seats, a parliamentary majority) brings the promise of stability, but also uncertainty around reforms, governance, and geopolitical direction.
🇪🇺 The liberal We Continue The Change - Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) ended third with 12.6% (37 seats) and remains firmly in parliament, scoring with slightly higher than in the previous elections, and continues to represent a coherent anti-corruption, pro-European, rule-of-law-oriented electorate.

👀 Read the election analysis by Iva Dralcheva, Project Coordinator for FNF Bulgaria 👉 https://bit.ly/4cULNQB

📷 Rumen Radev, Leader of Progressive Bulgaria Party. ©️ Blagoy Kirilov/BTA (PB)

A decisive election result ends Bulgaria’s political stalemate, but leaves open key questions on governance, reforms, and its role in Europe.

17/04/2026

🇧🇬🇪🇺 Special thanks to Svenja Hahn for her support of the We Continue the Change party in light of the elections on 19 April in Bulgaria. She reiterates that we need a Strong Bulgaria in a Strong Europe! Last night in Sofia, Svenja joined the rally of Продължаваме Промяната

"This election is very significant for Bulgaria and for Europe. The choice is clear: defeat corruption, restore the rule of law, and secure Bulgaria’s European future. Hungarians have shown that change through the ballot box is possible. Bulgarians can too.

The ALDE Party – Liberals and Democrats for Europe continues to stand with Асен Василев / Assen Vassilev , Никола Минчев and Nikolai Denkov for progress, democracy, and a pro-European future." shared Svenja Hahn, the President of ALDE and MEP from FDP, Germany.

08/04/2026

🌍 What can Europe learn from Eastern Europe about defending democracy?
After 5 years as Regional Director of FNF East and Southeast Europe and Project Director for FNF Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Martin Kothé shares that freedom is not abstract — it is lived, felt, and defended every day.
💪 From “cool patriotism” in the streets to the resilience of citizens and civil society, the region offers powerful lessons for all of Europe. In times of growing pressure on democratic values, these experiences matter more than ever.
👀 Read the full interview and discover insights on leadership, democracy, and Europe’s future 👉 https://bit.ly/41g9mgh
🔝We thank Martin Kothé for his vision since 2020. We wish him the best of luck for his new posting as Director of FNF Jerusalem office.

Why is Eastern Europe leading the fight for democracy? Resilience, “cool patriotism,” and the challenges shaping Europe’s future. by Matin Kothé, former FNF ESEE Regional Director.

13/03/2026

💙 After 9 years with FNF, we say thank you to Rossitsa Petrova for her dedication and professionalism, as she moves on to the next chapter!

She started as an accountant and later became an auditor, supporting projects across the Regional Office East and Southeast Europe, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Greece, Moldova, and Romania. What she remembers most are the supportive colleagues, inspiring events, and the strong team spirit — from her first days in the Sofia office to memorable team-building moments in Bansko.

🌍 For her, working with FNF meant contributing to values she deeply believes in: freedom, tolerance, and human rights. Rossitsa leaves proud of this chapter in her career — and grateful for the people she worked with along the way. "The FNF and the will always remain in my heart!' she shared.

04/03/2026

💡 What key lessons did you take away from the AOH 2025 Academy? Learn more from an alumna from Bulgaria
💪 ♀️ 10 women. 8 countries. 3 sessions. 1 goal to empower leaders to lead, succeed, survive and thrive in politics. AOH ignites their political ambition into real political power. Discover more about transformative learning journey. The Alliance of Her (AOH) East and Southeast Europe is our flagship female leadership programme. In March, FNF East and Southeast Europe kickstarts AOH 2026 in Bulgaria - stay tuned.
♀ 💪 The time for women to lead in Europe has come. This is her time. And . AOH is an influential community of liberal women and their allies dedicated to ensuring women are in equal power and decision-making, that female leadership is valued, and that liberal women in European politics can thrive.
👏 The Alliance of Her East and Southeast Europe Academy is fully funded and organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom for East and Southeast Europe FNF East and Southeast Europe

27/02/2026

💡🇧🇬"Completely unexpected, my internship FNF coincided with the most exciting period in Bulgarian politics in years. The government resigned, snap elections expected. I was really in a perfect position to observe this dynamic situation — explained to me and analysed by our political experts at FNF. I couldn’t have chosen a better time to stay here." shares Göran Ladewig, our fellow, who spent 3 months in Sofia, Bulgaria. Thank you for your insightful contributions to the .

🇩🇪 "From a German perspective, Southeast Europe seems almost like a blind spot. As a result, the plan matured in my mind to get closer to the Balkan region one day. Since I don’t speak any local language, the FNF turned out to be the ideal gateway to access the country, its people and its politics."

Find out more

A time of learning, protests, and white cheese: Get to know our intern Göran Ladewig, who spent three months at the FNF Regional Office for East and Southeast Europe in Sofia.