Support Access to Rights for Refugees in Bulgaria

Building on the support of partners and donors, the FAR team worked diligently from January to April 2025 to provide vital legal aid, essential information, and crucial social and emotional support to asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and stateless persons across Bulgaria.

During this period, 1,255 individuals received clear and accessible legal information and support, helping them navigate complex asylum procedures and address other critical legal issues. This included detailed guidance on their rights and obligations, as well as legal representation. Our digital legal aid team was particularly active, responding to a high volume of requests for assistance.

As a key component of our legal aid strategy, 419 refugees and asylum seekers received direct legal assistance via our digital legal aid tool.

Between January and April, FAR’s cultural mediators—fluent in Ukrainian/Russian, Arabic, Farsi, and Pashto—engaged in meaningful two-way communication with 583 beneficiaries. These dedicated mediators provided not only practical information on housing, education, healthcare, and social security but also much-needed social and emotional support. Their deep understanding of the challenges faced by displaced individuals in Bulgaria—often shaped by their own lived experiences—enables them to deliver empathetic and impactful assistance.

Our commitment to accessible, trustworthy information was further demonstrated through our self-help platform, Refugeelight.bg, which was visited by 138,934 users during the reporting period. The platform continues to empower individuals with clear, reliable resources to better understand their rights and available services.

Links:

• FAR's Information Platform