Engage 1000 Bulgarian students in public speaking

Dear Friends,

The new school year is off to an exciting start, and the BEST community continues to grow stronger! While summer is often a time to slow down, our work never stops. The past few months have been filled with learning, collaboration, and new opportunities for students and coaches alike. From our first-ever Debate Summer School to the preparation of our coaches for the year ahead, we have been working hard to ensure another inspiring and successful season for the BEST community.

A Summer of Learning: Our First Debate Summer School

This summer, we proudly launched our first Debate Summer School, organized in two consecutive sessions: June 22–26 and June 29–July 3, 2026. The programme brought together ten enthusiastic students from 5th and 6th grades who were eager to strengthen their critical thinking, communication, and public speaking skills.

Throughout the sessions, students explored the fundamentals of debate, learning how to distinguish facts from opinions, build persuasive arguments, collaborate effectively in teams, and ask thoughtful, analytical questions. By combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on exercises, interactive discussions, and regular speaking opportunities, the programme helped participants develop their skills and grow more confident in expressing their ideas. Learning extended well beyond the sessions themselves. Outdoor debate games, friendly competitions, a picnic, and other recreational activities created a lively summer atmosphere while encouraging teamwork, creativity, and meaningful connections among participants.

The summer school was further enriched by the contributions of inspiring guests from the debate and public speaking community. Students had the opportunity to learn from Tereza Todorova, BEST Project Manager and course lead; Rosen Razpopov, judge and Team Manager of the Bulgarian National Debate Team; Adelina Galabinova, a member of the team that helped Bulgaria achieve second place at the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) in 2024 and eighth place in 2025; Nadezhda Kancheva, multiple BEST Public Speaking champion and BEST Foundation Volunteer Public Speaking Coordinator; and Tsvetelina Boynova, an experienced BEST judge and member of the Debate Department.

Each session concluded with an open final debate attended by parents, friends, and guests. Students put their newly acquired skills to the test by discussing two engaging motions: whether zoos should continue to exist and whether children under the age of 16 should be allowed to use social media. The final debates highlighted the participants’ progress in argumentation, teamwork, public speaking, and critical thinking, bringing two successful weeks of learning and collaboration to a memorable close.

Preparing for a New Year of BEST: Coach Training 2026

As summer came to an end, our focus shifted to preparing for the new school and competition year. We began the season by bringing our coaches together for the annual BEST coach training, held in person on September 26–27, 2026. For the first time, the training took place simultaneously in three cities—Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna—making it easier for coaches to participate without the need for extensive travel and allowing the entire programme to fit into one weekend.

Following last year’s online training, the return to an in-person format generated considerable interest. A total of 70 coaches from 45 schools across 30 cities joined us, reflecting the continued growth and engagement of the BEST community. Sofia welcomed 32 coaches from 21 schools across 12 cities, including four new schools and one returning school. Plovdiv brought together 15 coaches from 11 schools across 10 cities, including two new schools. Meanwhile, 23 coaches from 13 schools across eight cities participated in Varna. The training also welcomed 27 English Teaching Assistants (ETAs), including 26 new participants and one returning member.

The training aimed to equip both first-time coaches and those returning for their second year or beyond with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to guide their teams throughout the BEST programme. Participants explored BEST’s mission, values, and key events, along with registration procedures, scholarship applications, effective coaching strategies, team management, student recruitment, fundraising, and ongoing support and evaluation.To help new coaches become familiar with the different competition categories, the programme featured live demonstrations of Duo Acting, Poetry, and Prose. Participants also received an introduction to debate, supported by question-and-answer sessions that helped them better understand the various competition formats. More experienced coaches and judges took part in practical judging exercises with feedback, allowing participants to apply evaluation criteria and strengthen their decision-making skills. The sessions also included a review of the Tournament Rulebook to ensure a shared understanding of the rules and standards that guide our tournaments. The training concluded with a discussion of fundraising ideas and strategies to help more students access opportunities to participate in upcoming competitions.

Beyond the knowledge and practical experience gained, the training was an important opportunity to strengthen connections across our community, welcome new members, and align our goals for the year ahead. With our coaches prepared and our teams getting ready, we are looking forward to the first tournaments of the new season with great excitement. We cannot wait to see students take the stage, challenge themselves, discover new talents, and put their hard work into practice!

Help Us Make an Impact

Dear friends, thank you for your incredible support! The work we do would not be possible without your generosity, encouragement, and belief in the potential of young people.

As BEST continues to grow and reach more students, your support matters more than ever. We would be truly grateful if you shared our GlobalGiving fundraising page with your friends and considered making a monthly donation. Regular contributions help us plan ahead, strengthen our programmes, and create more opportunities for students to learn, grow, and participate in our tournaments.

Every contribution makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the students who take part in our programmes. Thank you for standing alongside us, believing in our mission, and being an essential part of the BEST community. We are proud to have you among our champions!

With gratitude,

Vanya Zlateva

Executive Director

BEST Foundaton