Financial literacy and ecology are the focus of the 12th “Conference on Democracy” in Varna

The 12th edition of the civil forum “Conference on Democracy” focuses on financial literacy and ecology. The event kicks off on February 28 (Saturday) at 10 a.m. in the Nikotea Hall – Warehouse for Culture with a presentation on the state of the country’s economy and the next multiannual financial framework of the European Union. For the first time, the forum will make a connection between the financial literacy of the population and the democracy index with a presentation of expert advice for non-professional investors.

As every year, the conference will focus on civic initiatives from Varna and the country. In two of them, the questions are directed at the local authorities, namely: “How many days does it take for the Municipality of Varna to repair an elevator?” and “How many months does it take to obtain a permit to plant 10 trees?” .

The national initiatives are related to the presentation of food banking in Bulgaria, as well as the link between transport poverty and the Social Climate Plan.

The 12th edition of the forum will see the return of the “World Café” format, during which guests in the hall will be involved in the joint creation of future-oriented solutions for a sustainable environment.

Two exhibitions will be presented during the event. Dr. Nadia Stamatova and Dr. Bozhana Heinzler from the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria will present “Augmented Reality as a Mediator of Collective Memory and Cultural Heritage in Varna.” Greenpeace will participate with an exhibition entitled “Mission Green Embassy at School.” Greenpeace will participate with an exhibition entitled “Mission Green Embassy at School.”

The Democracy Conference has been organized annually since 2015 by the Public Center for Environment and Sustainable Development (PCESD) on the initiative of architect Kalina Miteva (Pavlova). This year’s edition is co-organized by the Ecological Association “For the Earth” and the Association of Bulgarian Black Sea Municipalities (ABBSM).

Admission is free. The conference will also be broadcast online on Ecovarna.info’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

PROGRAM
09:30 Registration
10:00 Opening.
Presentation of the exhibition “Augmented Reality as a Mediator of Collective Memory and Cultural Heritage in Varna” – Dr. Nadia Stamatova, Dr. Bozhana Heinzler, Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria, Union of Architects in Bulgaria 10:30 a.m.

10:20 a.m. Panel “Ethical Economy”
“Presentation of European campaigns and the debt crisis” – Todor Slavov, Za Zemata Association
“The Bulgarian economy in 2025 as a basis for the development of democratic processes in the country” – Nikolay Ivanchev, economist, member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Tax Advisors in Bulgaria
“The Next Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU (2028-2034) – Significant Changes, but also Opportunities for Citizen Participation” – Petko Kovachev, Green Policy Institute
“A Handbook on Investing for Non-Professional Investors” – Nikolay Ivanchev, economist, member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Tax Advisors in Bulgaria
Questions and answers
12:15 p.m. Panel “Citizen Initiatives from Around the Country”
“A Kilogram of Kindness, or What Food Banking in Bulgaria Is All About” – Gavrail Gavrailov, Bulgarian Food Bank
“Transport Poverty in the Social Climate Plan” – Daniel Popov, Petko Kovachev, “For the Earth”
Questions and answers
Presentation of the exhibition “Mission Green Embassy at School,” Eng. Ivanka Stankova, Greenpeace
1:50 p.m. Panel discussion: “World Café”
“Joint creation of future-oriented solutions for a sustainable environment” Elena Simeonova (ABCHO), Ilian Iliev, (OCOSUR)
“The process of jointly designing solutions and planning actions” – Elena Simeonova and Mariana Kancheva (ABCHO), Ilian Iliev (OCOSUR)

Questions and answers
4:00 p.m. Panel discussion: “Citizen initiatives from Varna”
“Citizen initiative for reforestation in Varna in 2025” – Dr. Nina Pancheva-Kirkova, Milostiv Association
Presentation of a study: “The impact of certain plastic products on the environment – between consumer rights and commercial practices” – Alexander Asenov, lawyer “The Elevator” (How many days does it take for the Municipality of Varna to repair an elevator?) – Ilian Iliev, Public Center for the Environment and Sustainability
“The Elevator” (How many days does it take for the Municipality of Varna to repair an elevator?) – Ilian Iliev, Public Center for Environment and Sustainable Development
Questions and answers
5:50 p.m. Panel: “Democratic Rights and Politics”
“Municipal Ordinance on Public Discussions – Presentation, Problems” – Dr. Valko Stanev, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee “Consistency in Politics – Analysis of the Example of Great Britain” – Ivan Popov, Union of Scientists
“Human Rights in the Russian Federation, Inconsistencies with the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Example” – Mikhail Oreshnikov, blogger, citizen
“Human Rights in the Russian Federation, Inconsistencies with the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Example Mikhail Oreshnikov, Blogger, Civil Activist, Initiative “Chuvash-Atalji Balhar Council of Envoys – Diplomatic Council of Chuvashia in Volga Bulgaria,” Republic of Chuvashia – Russian Federation.
Questions and answers
7:20 p.m. Open discussion

This event is co-funded by the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of the organizers and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.