Sofia
The Sofia office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is responsible for the activities of the Foundation in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Our mission is to facilitate the promotion of the principles of liberal democracy, the rule of law, political pluralism, and free markets, in a collaborative partnership with local and international partners.
Our standard instruments include political education, policy support, and political dialogue, realised through regular events and publications.
News
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How to Become a Tyrant: The Populist Playbook
How can modern populists transform democracies into authoritarian regimes? In the “Populist Playbook” Sven Gerst examines the real threats posed by contemporary populists, contrasting them with historical tyrants. He outlines how populists identify societal grievances, polarize communities, and centralize power, ultimately undermining democratic institutions and consolidating control.
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Liberal Communicators Network (LCN): Non-Profit Academy 2025
The LCN-Non-Profit Academy will empower liberal communicators to adapt cutting-edge communication strategies, innovation, and marketing trends for the specific context of the mission-driven sector. Apply by April 21, join this professional community of non-profit communicators from civil society organizations, foundations, think tanks, change-makers, working on liberal topics in Europe. By innovating non-profit communications, liberals will be better equipped to win the hearts and minds, influence shifts in values and behaviour.
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Understanding Populism vs. Authoritarianism: Why the Distinction Matters
Is Donald Trump a dictator? What differentiates autocrats and dictators from populists? Let’s map them all on a populism spectrum. Discover more in the new Populist Playbook Explainer Series.
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Networks of Power: Russia’s Shadow Influence in Germany
Despite efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy, Germany remains vulnerable to Russian influence. Deep networks and political entanglements continue to threaten the country’s independence.
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Reshape Europe – The Future of Ukraine: SPRINTS Creative Bootcamp for Artists
15 Artists, 10 Countries, 2 Days, 1 Goal - Let‘s Reshape Europe and The Future of Ukraine Together! Learn more about the creative bootcamp for artists, SPRINTS, in cooperation with Fine Acts, a global nonprofit creative studio for social impact. Download for free hope-based communications and artwork for causes.Amplify your visual language and messaging/advocacy/campaign/educational work with these socially engaged artworks. Discover the Collection on TheGreats.co.
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Strategic Decoupling: Phasing out russian economic influence in Germany
The study by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) examines the continuing entanglement between the German and Russian despite Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. The Russian corporate presence in Germany is highly concentrated in around 40 larger firms, which specialize in oil refining, natural gas supply and distribution, metal and plastic products manufacturing, glass production, and transport. Russia’s war upended European peace and security and intensified global power competition. The study shows that the Kremlin's long arm extends far beyond Germany's misguided Ostpolitik.
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Think Freedom: Freedom is an Action
The Premiere of the short documentary ‘Think Freedom: Freedom is an Action’ gathered more than 100 people on Friday, 17 June, in the Steps in Sofia, Bulgaria. The short documentary tells the story of Denitsa Lyubenova, a human rights lawyer and LGBTI activist. The film shows the process behind and the emotional journey of one of the most prominent legal battles. The screening of the film was followed by a discussion .
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Премиера на Черната книга на правителственото разхищение в България за 2022 г
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Debate on Digitalization: There is a Basis for Fully Electronic Services, but Much Remains to Be Done
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#FreedomFightsFake: Media Literacy In Bulgaria - What have we learned from the crises
The keynote speech of Irina Nedeva from AEJ Bulgaria at the opening of the national conference “Media Literacy In Bulgaria - What have we learned from the crises” addresses the issues of disinformation and media literacy in Bulgaria. The conference is part of the global FNF’s campaign #FreedomFightsFake, which empowers citizens around the globe to think critically and “pre-bunk” disinformation.
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On the Path Towards The EU: Effective and Transparent Administration in Service for the Citizens
On 25th March 2020, the European Council adopted a decision to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia, a veteran EU candidate country of 16 years. As the opening negotiation chapters 23 and 24 cover the European fundamental principles and rights as well as the judiciary, the topic of ensuring effective and citizen-centric public services and good governance gradually evolves to a priority reform agenda.
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Next Level Participation: Citizen-driven e-Democracy Tools
In a time where trust in traditional ‘political actors’ is in decline; the digitalisation of democratic participation provides new opportunities for citizen engagement with politics. In this effort, citizens and citizen groups all over Europe have developed digital tools to enhance political participation through deliberation, transparency, and wider participation.
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Expressing Civil and Political Liberties in Times of Crisis
The lessons learnt from the first wave of the pandemic could provide a key as to how to adapt to the second wave. The manifold clashes of governments with their obligations to preserve individual rights and the critical public response, will surely lead to a more reasoned and citizen-oriented addressing of the issue in the future.
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Polarization is a lethal threat to democracy
Find the interview with Martin Kothé for for the Premiere of Black Book of Government Waste 2020 for the Bulgarian daily newspaper, Dnevnik. Again, we at FNF were able to compile 15 stories of inefficient or questionable spending of Bulgarian citizens’ money, including indications of corruption or conflicts of interest. By pointing out these cases, we invite Bulgarians to demand transparency and accountability from the authorities. We believe Bulgarians have a right to know how their money is spent, and the people’s money should create welfare.
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Black Book’s Media Coverage in bTV Show '120 Minutes'
Watch the TV interview of Martin Kothé about the premiere of the Black Book of Government Waste 2020 for the highly respectable political talkshow “120 Minutes” with the journalist, Svetoslav Ivanov in the biggest private TV channel, bTV. FNF has published so far 6 editions of the Black Book in Bulgaria. We remain committed to continuing this investigative project.
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