Running Projects
One of the main goals of the association is integration through education, socialization and inclusion. Our programmes aim to combine contemporary approaches in formal and non-formal education and to create an environment in which vulnerable target groups can develop and fulfill their potential.
We also work closely with local specialists and professional educators, with whom we provide specialized programs tailored to the current needs of the beneficiaries (at individual and grassroots level).
Running projects
"Karapuz" day nursery for children 4-7 years old
All-day kindergarten for children between the ages of 4 and 7, aiming to support Ukrainian mothers and their children in their adaptation, orientation and development in Sofia. By February 2023, 50 children had passed through the day-care centre, 7 of whom entered Bulgarian first grade in 2023 and 5 in local kindergartens.
"Five" Youth Programme
Over the past year, working with many students and families, we have created an informal youth program for high school and college students, sustainably engaging Ukrainian youth between the ages of 14 and 18 and their parents in a variety of activities. The program aims to provide a safe space for communication, sharing, exchange, education and personal development.
„Arms Wide Open“ Summer School
An innovative integration Summer School for refugee children, held for the second consecutive year, covered a total of 218 children from Ukraine and the Middle East (Iraq, Iran, Syria) aged between 5 and 17.
The program provides a safe environment for communication, equal opportunities for development and access to education, socialization, learning the Bulgarian language, adaptation, integration and psychological support for refugee students who have found refuge in Sofia.
"Integration, cultural and educational center for refugees and migrants “Arms Wide Open”
Joint project of Arms Wide Open Association, Sofia Municipality – Oborishte District and the Norwegian company Prios Kompetanse. Supported by the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021. The Integration Centre targets refugees, third country nationals seeking/receiving protection, with the main target group being displaced persons from Ukraine and the local community. In view of the needs, we will provide a broader range of social, counselling, legal and welfare services, as well as continue to work hard for their integration into society and to ensure a decent and normal life in Bulgaria.
Creative activities for children and adults
Since the beginning of September 2022, the Association has provided speech therapy and creative classes in modern dance, music and singing in our partners’ spaces, which have been attended by over 100 children.
Our creative workshops are led by professional teachers from Ukraine, with many years of experience and a number of local and international awards.
Bulgarian language courses
Preparatory courses in Bulgarian language and literature, main focus – preparation for the compulsory exams and external assessments in 4,7,10 grade.
The most serious is the preparation of the 7th grade students, who have the difficult task to get acquainted with a huge volume of Bulgarian literature and to write a retelling in a foreign language.
In addition to the lessons, we focus on introducing parents and children to the meaning of external assessment.
Previous projects
Psychological support November 2022-
January 2023
For women 18-35 years old. Group offline and online sessions of 7 to 12 people, over 3 months.
The main objectives set were:
To help participants recognize and cope with the symptoms of PTSD.
To cope with the effects of cumulative trauma due to war, possible loss of friends and family, separation from loved ones, sudden relocation to Bulgaria, and difficulties in adaptation.
Coping with loneliness and isolation from family members.
Rebuilding and strengthening the personal identity of each participant.
Bulgarian language courses for students
February - June 2023
Preparatory courses in Bulgarian language and literature, main focus – preparation for compulsory exams and external assessments in 4,7,10 grades. A total of 22 students participated in the different groups.
The most serious was the preparation of the students from 7th grade, who had the difficult task of getting acquainted with a huge amount of Bulgarian literature and writing a retelling in a foreign language.
Apart from the lessons, we focused on introducing parents and children to the meaning of external assessment. Results of the Grade 7 exams ranged between 35 and 70 points, with the average result for 2023 being 55.04 points.
English Language Course
November 2022-
June 2023
Tailored to the individual abilities and aspirations of all who wish to participate. It covered 30 people aged between 16 and 45, divided into 2 courses of 3 months each, led by a local teacher from 19 Elin Pelin Secondary School and an English-speaking teacher from the First English Language School.
Objective – participants to develop their abilities for free verbal and written communication, to enrich their vocabulary.
The main task is to help students prepare for job interviews where English language proficiency is required, to take exams, and to prepare students.
„Arms Wide Open“ Summer School
July-August
2022&2023
An innovative integration Summer School for refugee children, which in two consecutive years has covered about 200 children from Ukraine and the Middle East (Iraq, Iran, Syria) and their parents. The program provides a safe environment for communication, equal opportunities for development and access to education, socialization, learning the Bulgarian language, adaptation, integration and psychological support for refugee students who have found refuge in Sofia. Assisting parents in caring for their children during the summer holidays, supporting and motivating them to continue their development in Sofia. As a result of our intensive work with students, about 80% of them entered Bulgarian schools prepared and with self-confidence.
Project „sMysl“ for Ukrainian refugees in Blagoevgrad
June-August 2022
A three month Bulgarian language course, art workshops and speech therapy for over 50 children and adults refugees from Ukraine in city Blagoevgrad.
The teachers have the necessary qualifications and have many years of experience in schools in Blagoevgrad and the South-West University. The speech therapist and one of the art workshop teachers is a Ukrainian refugee.
A three month Bulgarian language course, art workshops and speech therapy for over 50 children and adults refugees from Ukraine in city Blagoevgrad.
The teachers have the necessary qualifications and have many years of experience in schools in Blagoevgrad and the South-West University. The speech therapist and one of the art workshop teachers is a Ukrainian refugee.
Project „sMysl“ for Ukrainian refugees in Blagoevgrad
Project to the call for proposals "We can"- help for Ukrainian youth
November 2022- February 2023
Arms Wide Open activities and projects are developed with a focus on the specific needs of the target groups we work with. After the complex and difficult process of adaptation, through which the people who found protection in Bulgaria went through, the time has come for active support for integration – Bulgarian language courses, education, orientation in the labor market, psychological support, socialization.
In the current project we continue to work purposefully with local organizations, companies, institutions, volunteers and active citizens.
Bulgarian Language Course November 2022- February 2023
A joint course of SofiaLab and Arms Wide Open co-funded by the European Commission’s AMIF program. The course is designed for 30 participants, with a duration of 48 hours, starting level B1.
It is conducted online, with 6 workshops to be organized in addition to the training and a financial literacy course.
The course was attended by Ukrainian refugees from all across Bulgaria who already speak Bulgarian at a basic level.