Manol Peykov, Dobro Foundation Win European Citizen's Prize 2023

Diana Dukovska

EU Commissioner Iliana Ivanova (left), Manol Peykov and Parliament Deputy Chair Rositsa Kirova at the European Citizen's Prize ceremony, September 29, 2023 (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

29.09.2023 14:21

(BTA)

Bulgarian publisher and translator Manol Peykov and representatives of the Dobro Foundation Friday received the European Citizen's Prize 2023 of the European Parliament. The prize was given to Peykov for the Generators for Ukraine project, and to the Dobro Foundation for the Dobro Hub, an adaptation and integration centre for Ukrainian and Bulgarian children.

Bulgarian MEPs Andrey Kovatchev and Tsvetelina Penkova, members of the international jury which assessed the projects, presented the prizes at the National Assembly in the presence of Parliament Deputy Chair Rositsa Kirova, European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, Boyko Blagoev, Acting Head of Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, and Ukrainian Ambassador Olesya Ilashchuk.

Teodor Stoychev, Head of the Bureau of the European Parliament in Bulgaria, said the European Citizen's Prize had been presented in this country since 2012.

Rositsa Kirova congratulated the winners, noting that theirs is a high moral cause.

Peykov, who is an MP of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, thanked for the recognition. He said over BGN 2 million had been raised for the Ukrainian cause. Money has also been raised for the Turkiye-Syria earthquakes.

Oleksandr Chaika, President of the Dobro Foundation, thanked all volunteers and citizens of Bulgaria, all people who opened their hearts and supported the Ukrainians. Thanks to the joint efforts, Ukrainian children in Bulgaria are safe, receive psychological support, develop and continue their education, he said. Chaika noted that they were able to help more than 1,300 children continue their education in the 2022/2023 school year with the support of UNICEF.

European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova expressed her admiration for the dedication and determination of citizens who, in difficult situations, take matters into their own hands and manage to organize supporters and donors. "The crises of recent years - the coronavirus and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine - have faced us with unprecedented trials, but they have turned Europe into a home of solidarity, and the willingness of Bulgarians to help has been taken to another level," she said. The Bulgarian Commissioner noted that this prize is a recognition of the example of European citizens in Bulgaria.

/RY/