Our Approach
Our approach to community empowerment focuses on cultivating the leaders of the future through comprehensive leadership training. By educating and inspiring individuals, empowering entrepreneurs, fostering civil participation, strengthening democracy and the rule of law, and championing issue advocacy, we aim to create a lasting impact aligned with the sustainable development goals.
OUR MISSION
We believe that real change begins in our communities. Our mission is to cultivate leaders!
We believe that real change begins in our communities. Our mission is to cultivate the leaders of the future by providing leadership training that educates and inspires individuals, empowers entrepreneurs, strengthens civil participation, and defends democracy and the rule of law. Through these efforts, we aim to create a lasting and sustainable social impact aligned with sustainable development goals.
In Bulgaria, and especially here in Veliko Tarnovo, we see an extraordinary opportunity for community empowerment, to connect our rich traditions with new ideas, and to build bridges between the local and the global. By encouraging technology transfer and introducing innovative solutions, we want to open doors for local businesses, particularly in rural areas, so they can grow, thrive, and offer new possibilities to their communities. Our vision is one where small villages and towns are not left behind but become vibrant places of opportunity, creativity, and better living.
Our work is also about connecting people—linking the citizens of Veliko Tarnovo and the surrounding region with the wider European Union. We want to ensure that local voices are heard, local talent is recognized, and local businesses are supported so that Bulgaria’s rural communities can benefit from European opportunities and contribute to Europe’s shared future.
This mission is deeply connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We focus on creating access to quality education (SDG 4), generating decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reducing inequalities between urban and rural areas (SDG 10), and building stronger, more inclusive institutions (SDG 16). And we know that true progress comes through partnerships (SDG 17)—by joining hands with people, businesses, and organizations across Bulgaria and Europe.
Our dream is simple but powerful: to see Veliko Tarnovo and Bulgaria’s rural communities shine as examples of how education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement can transform lives. Together, by connecting the local with the European and the global, we are building a brighter, fairer, and more sustainable future.
“Inspiring leaders, empowering people, and lighting the path to a better tomorrow.”
Our vision is to see Veliko Tarnovo and Bulgaria’s rural communities thrive as vibrant centers of innovation, leadership, and sustainable growth, where young leaders are inspired, entrepreneurs are empowered, and cutting-edge technology transforms local businesses and communities. We imagine a future where civic participation and democracy are strong, where forests are protected, the air is clean, and renewable energy and recycling are woven into daily life. By driving green economic development, creating jobs, and improving quality of life, we aim to build resilient communities that are deeply connected to the opportunities of the European Union and the wider world. Together, we envision a Bulgaria where every village and town flourishes, people collaborate across regions, traditions, and innovation coexist, and the environment is cherished, ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, and inspiring future for all.
Our project proposals
LUNAR - Programme ERASMUS2027 - 2022
The project aims to develop a groundbreaking educational model that enhances the importance of reskilling and upskilling of teachers and staff in the VET sector and the Aerospace industry, contributing to community empowerment. By promoting innovative educational methods, the project will address specific areas such as earth observation and geolocation, while also focusing on leadership training for the leaders of the future. The training programs will tackle the shortage of skilled professionals resulting from rapid technological advancement and limited training opportunities. Furthermore, the project will highlight the Aerospace educational field, which has not been extensively popularized. By establishing a clear, methodology-based educational framework for the Aerospace industry, the initiative will identify stakeholder needs for upskilling and reskilling professionals and workers, thus supporting sustainable development goals. Collaboration and networking among stakeholders—including VET trainers, labor market actors, and industry organizations—will be encouraged to ensure program effectiveness and sustainability. Target groups include the workforce from the industry, labor market actors, workers from relevant Aerospace verticals, and VET trainers and administrative staff. The project will foster collaboration and innovation through partnerships with academic and industry leaders, creating new pathways for knowledge-sharing and professional development. It will identify resilience-related Aerospace market needs and emerging professions by engaging with industry leaders and designing training programs to address these needs. The Aerospace industry, a vital component of modern society, offers services such as satellite-based communication, weather forecasting, and earth observation. Despite its significance, there is a considerable shortage of skilled professionals, especially in emerging economies, largely due to rapid technological advancements and insufficient training opportunities. The project aims to alleviate this shortage by providing upskilling and reskilling programs.
MigraC4WOMEN - Programme AMIF2027 - 2023
MigraC4WOMEN empowers and integrates migrant and refugee women in Europe within the circular economy, addressing challenges like discrimination, limited financial access, and exploitation. Aligned with EU strategies, it promotes economic empowerment and integration of migrant and refugee women, contributing to community empowerment and the sustainable development goals. The target group includes immigrant and refugee women aged 18 to 68 with legal status in Europe. The project recognizes their potential in entrepreneurship and provides resources, support, leadership development, and leadership training for the leaders of the future, along with employment opportunities. Social workers and professionals in NGOs working with migrant and refugee women are also engaged. MigraC4WOMEN strengthens the support network and fosters a culture of entrepreneurship and social inclusion within these organizations. The objective is to support socio-economic integration through entrepreneurship and employment, aligning with the Integration and Inclusion at the Regional and Local Level call. It aims to enhance skills, increase employment rates, education, training levels, social and cultural integration, and entrepreneurship among migrant and refugee women. The project's impact is measured through indicators such as changes in employment rates, education levels, social integration, and entrepreneurship. It strives to increase successful businesses started by women, improve access to legal labor advice, promote sustainable housing, enhance community participation, reduce environmental impact, raise awareness of sustainable practices, involve women in decision-making, and establish integration and empowerment partnerships. Additionally, it develops a digital Job Bank and provides legal advice and eMentoring for women migrants and refugees. MigraC4WOMEN aligns with EU strategic documents, including the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion, Gender Equality Strategy, and AMIF Call for Proposals 2020. It adheres to relevant legislation, addressing specific needs while protecting rights.
CulTour-4All - Programme Interreg Danube Region - 2023
CulTour-4All - Programme Interreg Danube Region - 2023
CulTour-4All - Programme Interreg Danube Region - 2023
The Danube region is characterized by significant disparities that impact the equal distribution of economic development, social inclusion, and social innovation, particularly through culture and tourism activities. The challenges have been further emphasized by COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, which have drawn attention to issues related to the forced migration of the population from Ukraine, affecting their living and working conditions. In light of these circumstances, community empowerment is crucial. Therefore, the main objective of the project is to analyze current social problems faced by smaller communities in rural and remote areas, identify and propose innovative models and solutions, and pilot them with the support of a newly established network of Hubs for culture and tourism. This initiative will also include leadership training aimed at nurturing the leaders of the future, all while aligning with the sustainable development goals.
EnFo Danube - Programme Interreg Danube Region - 2023
CulTour-4All - Programme Interreg Danube Region - 2023
CulTour-4All - Programme Interreg Danube Region - 2023
DemocracyEU will serve as the European partner network to DemocracyGlobal, a dynamic and evolving network specifically designed to support and connect research, development, and progress in democracy, the rule of law, and civic participation worldwide. Rather than replacing existing networks, DemocracyEU will enhance community empowerment by linking various research bodies, platforms, databases, and knowledge repositories across the EU through a distributed place-based infrastructure similar to a blockchain. Each organization, institution, and research body in the network will feature a place-based community page and wiki that connects to a shared-content database, providing quick access for researchers, policymakers, citizen assemblies, students, and the public. This consortium will harness the power of the network and place-based infrastructure to foster independent citizen assemblies that co-develop pathways enhancing civic education and participation, while also focusing on leadership training for the leaders of the future. Additionally, this initiative will encourage further exploration of innovative methods to evaluate and improve deliberative processes throughout the Union, aligning with the sustainable development goals.
Who We Are
Leaders of the Future
Bulgarian Registration
Bulgarian Registration
Our name translates in English to: Leaders of the Future! We are dedicated to community empowerment through effective leadership and leadership training. Our original name is Сдружение "Лидери на Бъдещето" (Lideri na Budeshteto), reflecting our commitment to shaping leaders of the future who are aligned with sustainable development goals.
Bulgarian Registration
Bulgarian Registration
Bulgarian Registration
Our registration in the Bulgarian trade register, under the number ЕИК 206957504, reflects our commitment to community empowerment and sustainable development goals. Registered on 30.05.2022, we aim to foster leadership and provide leadership training for the leaders of the future.
EU registration
Bulgarian Registration
EU registration
Our PIC Number, which reflects our commitment to community empowerment, is 885499227. We believe in fostering leadership and providing leadership training to develop the leaders of the future who will contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.
Our Chairman
Bulgarian Registration
EU registration
Our chairman, Krasimir Trufev, leads a dedicated Board of Directors committed to community empowerment and fostering the leaders of the future. The board includes Desislava Petkova and Marian Kanev, who are both passionate about promoting sustainable development goals through effective leadership and leadership training.
