PARTICIPANTS
Vesy Deyanova
Vesy is a Chairperson of several not-for-profit organizations based in Bulgaria – Amnesty International Bulgaria, Meeting Points Foundation and It’s Up to Us Foundation. Her background is in community and international development, with strong emphasis on humanitarian work and has years of experience working as a facilitator of transformative processes and programs. “As a facilitator, I design and orchestrate events, workshops, and programs that enable individuals to engage in meaningful dialogue. Through carefully crafted spaces, I create an atmosphere where diverse voices are welcomed, valued, and heard. By nurturing a culture of respect and openness, I aim to enable participants to share their perspectives, explore challenging topics, and build genuine connections. I join the program with the desire to explore how hope-based communication can support me in leading cross-political dinners that aim to bridge the political divide in Bulgaria.”
Alexander Kirov
Alex is a Master of Business administration and Digital marketing as well as public relations specialist with degrees from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. Working in the non-profit sector for ten years on topics related to children’s rights, fighting human trafficking, short cinema, his strengths are creating social awareness campaigns, digital marketing campaigns, photography, and visual arts. He also has interests in the arts of crafts, graphic design, and music as a means of communication. Currently Alexander oversees all digital communications, design and marketing initiatives at the Bulgarian Center for Not-for- Profit Law and Shtrak social enterprise.
Kameliya Tomova
Kemeliya is Project Manager at THE CIVICS Innovation Hub and a coordinator for Europe's Network for Civic Education (NECE). She has over ten years international experience in good governance, anti-corruption, and CSO accountability, and serves as a transparency and accountability strategist specializing in Trust, Culture and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “I am passionate about empowering a vibrant community of civic educators and activists who actively uphold democratic values, foster dialogue on social issues, sustainability, inclusivity, and integrity, and advocate for positive societal transformation. I am curious to learn how the various paths of hope-based communication empower individuals to drive meaningful change and create a more just and equitable society.”
Iva Rankovska
Iva is an expert in Digital Communications and Public Campaigns at the Institute for Market Economics, with experience in project management and communications in the public sector. She has a bachelor's degree in International Relations and a master’s in Marketing with specialization in Brand Management. She is a Fellow of the Digital Marketing for Important Causes 2.0 program of the America for Bulgaria Foundation and the International Laureate Program (IPP) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
Anna Hakman
Anna is an accomplished leader and visionary in the non-profit sector, serving as the CEO of Arms Wide Open since its inception in 2021. With over 10 years experience in management in the corporate and private sector, journalist studies and a passion for social work with vulnerable communities, Anna has been instrumental in driving the organization's mission to provide essential integrational services and support to children and families seeking asylum. Under Anna’s guidance, Arms Wide Open Association has grown exponentially, expanding its reach to numerous community members. Her innovative approach to fundraising and partnerships has resulted in sustainable projects supported by private, corporate and international donors.
Krystian Połomski
Krystian is a project leader and program coordinator at Rural Development Foundation in Poland, responsible for implementing programs dedicated to rural communities in Poland. “I believe that democracy begins close to people, at the local level, by making decisions together, working out solutions and engaging in work for local government. For eight years I have been running a program of social participation with rural municipalities. In this program I cooperated with 50 rural local governments. I am involved in designing campaigns, content production and implementation of pro-turnout campaigns addressed to rural communities, using cultural heritage and methods of social participation”
Karolina Rokita
Karolina is a judge at the District Court in Przemyśl, PhD, author of publications on consumer law and unfair competition. At the Iustitia Polish Judges’ Association she is responsible for communication and social media.
Wiktoria Nowak
Wiktoria is a social activist and perpetually cheerful optimist. A senator and parliamentarian at the University of Warsaw, she is co-founder of the association #dziewczynynawybory and a member of the OFF school Foundation. She is passionate about inclusive, civic, and anti-discriminatory education.
Piotr Cykowski
Piotr is a social-change oriented person involved in various movements and organizations for more than 20 years. “I work at Akcja Demokracja where I am in charge of developing podcasts, including my dream about using this medium for time travels into the future. Nowadays I am also oriented toward deep ecology and dealing with climate chaos – podcasting with friends about 'the end of the world as we know it'. Also curious about effective communication.”
Diana Safo
Safo is a digital communications' specialist, content creator, activist, and ethnographer (BA). Active in many grassroots aid initiatives focused on discriminated groups in Poland, mainly transgender people, on a daily basis she works as a Communications Coordinator at For a Change Fund, an NGO supporting local activities for LGBT+ people in Poland.
Fanni Mátyók
Fanni is a children’s rights and participation expert, with a diverse background in law, education, and psychology. With over 8 years of experience working with national and international NGOs and IOs across Europe and beyond, Fanni has dedicated her career to advocating for children’s wellbeing, promoting human rights, and addressing pressing global issues such as climate change. Currently, she’s leading an EU-funded international project on child participation in Budapest's most multicultural district in Józsefváros, where families are facing multiple challenges. Fanni founded her initiative, WellBee – You and your future – in 2021, which is an inclusive summer camp for children about their rights, well-being, and environmental sustainability. She is also a founding member of the Hungarian Children's Rights NGO Coalition, and the leader of its Climate and Children's Rights working group.
Ágnes Bardócz
Ágnes works as an assistant in a small IT company and dedicates her free time to volunteering in various projects. This includes assisting disadvantaged students from the local elementary school in the afternoons and serving as a core member of a local informal organization focusing on establishing civil control over local municipal activities to uphold the rights of residents. She is currently undergoing training as a community organizer at the Civil College Foundation, engaged in both theoretical study and practical application, specifically in the areas of community building and the reinforcement of civil organizations.
“I firmly believe in the influence that one individual can have on shaping people's perspectives. Consequently, I hold a strong belief in the power and capacity of citizens to effect positive change in their communities.”
Zsuzsa Béres-Áfra
Zsuzsa is programme organizer of the Alternative Communities Association (AKE) and coordinator of the community space (HUB). Over many years she has implemented local coordinating of a national network, capacity building, participatory action researching, event/training/workshop organizing and moderating. The priority in her work is to fill the community space with quality civic and cultural projects, reaching out to the widest possible range of people and ages.
Noel Perlaki-Borsos
Noel is a 20 year old student from Budapest, who has taken part in the foundation of two student movements, a student club, as well as organizing dozens of protests for student rights, teacher’s wages, and better education. He was a long-standing presidium member of Egységes Diákfront (United Student Front), now the most important student movement in Hungary. Together they have moved tens of thousands of people, and collected over a hundred thousand signatures for education. He is currently coordinating their next big project, as well as being a member of Esély Közösség presidium.