In April 2026, the Rights and Values project officially came to an end. Through the project’s two funds, sixty-five initiatives by civil society organizations and community centers were supported. Sixteen initiatives at the national and regional levels were successfully implemented under the “Action” fund. Forty-nine initiatives supported by the “Together” fund were carried out primarily outside major urban centers for specific communities.
The independent external evaluation of the Rights and Values project shows that it not only meets its objectives but also creates a sustainable foundation for the development of civil society in Bulgaria.
Over the course of 40 months, the project has contributed to translating the European Union’s strategic priorities into practical actions—through support for organizations, community engagement, and capacity building.
The results of the assessment reveal a trend toward the increasingly concrete application of European values in the work of organizations, institutions, and local communities.
The first key finding relates to the impact of the supported initiatives. The data show that the results go beyond the number of activities carried out and include changes in the way organizations communicate, build trust, and reach their audiences.
As shown in the chart below, the reported effects include increased awareness of European values, improved communication, and the creation of new partnerships.
These data indicate that the project’s impact has both quantitative and qualitative dimensions and is linked to changes in the organizations’ operations and their interaction with communities.
The evaluation also notes significant results regarding the development of the organizations. Participation in the project is associated with changes in both internal processes and their external role.
The organizations are expanding the scope of their activities, developing skills, and building partnerships, as reflected in the following chart.
The most clearly evident outcomes are a better understanding of the needs of the target groups, increased trust within communities, and team development. These results show that the support contributes not only to the implementation of activities but also to the development of organizational capacity.
At the community level, the evaluation also notes visible effects. The initiatives reach various regions, including smaller towns where access to resources and information is more limited.
The data show that the activities with the greatest impact are those that combine awareness-raising with active public participation.
This approach, which combines knowledge, participation, and partnership, has proven to be key to achieving real change at the local level.
According to the evaluation, another important factor in the results achieved is the project model, which combines various support tools. Through the two funds—targeted at both local and broader initiatives—a balance is achieved between the scope and depth of impact.
The analysis shows that this combination creates the conditions for a sustainable effect, as the supported activities lead to the creation of resources, networks, and working models that continue to be used even after the funding has ended.
The training materials, partnerships, and forms of cooperation developed remain a resource for the organizations and communities with which they work.
In summary, the independent external evaluation shows that the project goes beyond the scope of individual initiatives and contributes to the development of an environment in which organizations strengthen their capacity and citizen participation expands.
The results outline a process of change aimed at more active participation, better awareness, and more sustainable development of civil society.
The Rights and Values project is implemented in partnership with: the Open Society Institute – Sofia (OSIS) Foundation, the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF), and The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS). The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values (CERV) Program.
The authors are solely responsible for the content herein, which does not necessarily reflect the official positions of the European Union or the European Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the funding agency can be held responsible for it.
