By Vanya Zlateva | Executive Director
Dear friends,
The previous school year ended on a high note with an inspiring wrap-up weekend for our Student Leader Program, followed by our BEST coaches nominating the new Student Leaders for the 2025/2026 school year.
Our program empowers Bulgarian high school students who participate in BEST to become team leaders, mentors to younger peers, and active changemakers in their local communities.
On October 2nd, 2025, we hosted our first-ever in-person fundraising event — Impact Jam 2025! We welcomed representatives from some of Sofia’s leading companies to introduce them to the mission and impact of the BEST Foundation. About 60 guests attended, enjoying performances in duo, poetry, and prose by our talented students.
Our alumni and former Student Leaders spoke with heartfelt emotion about what BEST means to them and how their participation in the Foundation’s programs shaped their personal and professional journeys. Guests also had the chance to learn more about some of our most successful community projects.
The evening was filled with fun and energy thanks to icebreakers, raffles, and prizes, and many guests chose to support our cause either with on-site donations or future commitments.
From October 3rd to 5th, 45 out of 49 nominated Student Leaders from 29 schools across 21 towns gathered for an immersive weekend of training at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) in Blagoevgrad. Those unable to join in person participated virtually with the help of our dedicated SL Co-Coordinators.
Throughout the weekend, students explored their new responsibilities, reviewed the yearly program schedule, and discussed key upcoming events — including the Fall and Spring Tournament mini-projects, the Mid-Year Conference Call, and the Wrap-Up Seminar in May. They also learned the criteria for graduating from the program and earning their certificates. Most importantly, they built strong connections with the BEST Management Team and with one another.
Our Student Leaders had the opportunity to learn from several exceptional speakers:
Additionally, Maria and Martina, Student Leaders from High School for Foreign Languages "Y. Radichkov", Vidin, presented their inspiring community project, a charity concert which was organized in support of the children's ward at the hospital in Vidin.
A central focus of the weekend was Community Projects. Through a series of interactive sessions, students worked in teams to develop their own project proposals. Each group was paired with a mentor who guided them through brainstorming, refining ideas, and evaluating feasibility. The atmosphere buzzed with creativity, questions, and collaboration — a perfect reflection of the spirit of BEST!
Despite a busy schedule, our Student Leaders found time to relax, connect, and form friendships that will continue to grow throughout the tournaments and beyond.
As the weekend concluded, they returned home energized, inspired, and ready to make a difference in their schools and communities. We can’t wait to see the results of their first projects in the months ahead!
Dear friends,
To keep our program running and expand the Student Leader community, we need your continued support.
Please consider sharing our GlobalGiving link with your friends and making a monthly donation to help us empower even more young leaders across Bulgaria.
Your generosity directly impacts every student in our Leadership Program — and we’re endlessly grateful to count you among our BEST angels.
Thank you again for your unwavering support, and we wish you a warm and joyful holiday season!
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