What we do
Our association’s core mission is to promote integration through education, socialization, and inclusion. We design programs that blend modern formal and non-formal educational approaches, creating supportive environments where vulnerable groups can grow and realize their full potential. We collaborate closely with local specialists and professional educators to deliver tailored programs that address the specific needs of our beneficiaries—both at the individual level and within grassroots communities.
Running projects
Cultural and Educational Center for Integration "Arms Wide Open"
The Cultural and Educational Center for Integration “Arms Wide Open” was established under the project DFPO-1.008, funded by the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021, in partnership with Oborishte District, Sofia Municipality, and Prios Kompetanse (Norway). The newly renovated center provides a safe and inclusive space for learning, creativity, and community engagement.
Since September 2022, the association has offered speech therapy and creative classes in dance, music, and singing, attended by over 100 children. Led by experienced Bulgarian and Ukrainian educators, the program promotes empowerment, informal education, and civic values.
The center also runs Preparatory courses in Bulgarian language and literature and Mathematics for external assessment exams. For students in grades 4 and 7, supporting both children and parents in understanding the education system.
Through art, education, and mentorship, the center strengthens integration, intercultural dialogue, and personal growth for refugees, migrants, and local children and youth — fostering a more cohesive and empathetic community.
"The Five" Youth Programme
The program is designed to empower youth by providing access to valuable resources, fostering personal growth, and offering informal learning opportunities to develop new skills. It aims to expand knowledge across various life domains while promoting civic education, tolerance, and democratic values through collaborative programs with local youth and organizations.
By mid-2025, 134 young people will have participated. Participants are taking part in educational projects,cultural and social initiatives, summited mountain peaks, and explored several cities. Additionally, they attended preparatory course for state exams, with three students receiving support for their graduation exams and university entrance.
Three young people, aged 17 to 24, completed internships at the association, where they designed and led educational programs for younger students and actively contributed to the planning and delivery of the summer program.
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, art, and singing in our partners’ spaces, which over 100 children have attended.
Our creative workshops are led by professional teachers from Ukraine who have many years of experience and have won numerous local and international awards. The result of these activities is a series of performances and exhibitions of socially engaged art, showcasing children’s creativity, resilience, and the power of inclusion through artistic expression.
Courses for preparation for external assessment exams
Preparatory courses in Mathematics and Bulgarian language and literature, with a primary focus on preparation for the compulsory exams and external assessments in grades 4 and 7.
The most serious preparation is for the 7th-grade students, who have the difficult task of getting acquainted with a huge volume of Bulgarian literature and writing a retelling in a foreign language.
In addition to the lessons, we focus on introducing parents and children to the meaning of external assessment.
In 2024, we successfully worked with two 7th-grade groups. The first group completed the course with exam results above the national average.
Previous projects
„AWO“ Summer School vol.4 /June-August 2025/
For the fourth consecutive year, we organized a Summer School for the children of Sofia.
Our goal was to create a safe and supportive environment where children had the opportunity to learn new things, explore Sofia’s cultural and historical heritage, get to know one another, and discover their talents through music and dance.
The program included visits to the Sofia Planetarium, the Zoo, the Earth and Human National Museum, Kvadrat 500 Gallery, the Sofia Fire Safety and Civil Protection Directorate, and more. Art workshops were also part of the program at no additional cost. Once a week, we organized day trips to Vitosha Mountain. Children received lunch every day, provided by Beryozka stores.
The school ran every weekday from June 16 to August 31 at the Sredets Cultural Center and brought together 124 children from 10 different nationalities, promoting friendship, understanding, and cultural exchange.
We worked with children of all backgrounds from 1st to 4th grade.
ONLINE LEGAL CONSULTATIONS FOR WOMEN /November 2024-April 2025/ Funding Organization: Urgent Action Fund
In the spring of 2024, a mother reached out to us with a request to issue a letter of recommendation for her son, who had been attending our programs. Through this contact, we learned about her difficult personal situation—after surviving domestic violence, she was granted permission to see her 2-year-old daughter only once a week and was engaged in a difficult legal battle for custody rights.
Through crowdfunding efforts, we managed to raise the necessary funds to cover the legal fees for her defense. This case prompted us to reflect on how we could better support and protect women facing similar challenges in the future.
In 2023, we launched a Viber group for mothers who gave birth in Bulgaria. Based on the data we collected, approximately 10% of women in such “mixed” families (with Bulgarian spouses) reported experiencing domestic violence.
This initiative aims to provide accessible online legal consultations to women in vulnerable situations, empowering them with information, support, and pathways to justice.
"MASTER ART CLASSES “eqUAlity”
/November 2024-February 2025/
Funding Organization: Bulgarian Fund for Women
The program offered a series of master art classes led by Ukrainian and local professionals with many years of experience in their respective fields. Over the course of three months, we conducted weekly creative sessions for children, youth (ages 15–29), and adults.
The initiative aimed to develop personal and social skills, while also providing a safe space for communication, interaction, and growth. The target group included approximately 40% Ukrainian refugees and 50% local residents interested in either professional or amateur development in the fields of vocal, performing, and visual arts.
By bringing these groups together, the program sought to foster inclusion and smooth integration in a safe, supportive, and non-discriminatory environment.
The program concluded with an interactive exhibition-concert hosted at the space of our partners, RCCA “Toplocentrala”.
PROJECT “TEAM CAPACITY-BUILDING TRAINING” /July 2024 – September 2024/
Funding Organization: Bulgarian Fund for Women
For the first time, we received targeted support aimed at strengthening the development of the Association’s team, increasing organizational capacity, and preventing burnout.
A total of 16 training sessions were conducted for the core team, including teachers, specialists, and experts involved in the Association’s various programs — a team consisting of 33 people. We also held our first-ever team-building event.
By organizing targeted trainings, we ensure that the organization continues to operate at an optimal level in delivering meaningful, relevant, effective, and high-quality programs to our beneficiaries — a key priority.
Thanks to the opportunity for both group and individual development sessions, we succeeded in motivating and uniting the team in a new and meaningful way. Each team member was given space in a safe environment to share their experiences, concerns, difficult situations, ideas, and challenges they had encountered, while also encouraging mutual support and shared learning.
IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION “FACEBOOK CHOREOGRAPHY” /March 2024 – October 2024/
Funding Organizations: The CIVICS Innovation Hub and Porticus Amsterdam C.V.
The Russian art collective Mira Zimka and Ukrainian director-choreographer Roman Blazhkiv, in collaboration with Bulgarian artists and performers, presented the first joint Russian-Ukrainian performance in Bulgaria since the beginning of the war. The production explores the complex dialogue between two nations involuntarily drawn into a global conflict.
Social media—serving as a metaphor for our globalized society—offers a lens through which to reflect the breakdown of communication, ongoing destruction, and increasing censorship on both sides. The project draws directly from the words and experiences of individuals on both sides of the conflict, who find themselves trapped in a state of powerlessness and trauma.
Art cannot end wars. But with this work, we sought to lay the groundwork for an impossible but necessary dialogue—here and now—beyond the distorted and censored narratives of social networks and media.
"Integration, cultural and educational center for refugees and migrants “Arms Wide Open”
/January 2024-April 2025/
Funding Organization: EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021
The Integration Centre is a collaborative initiative between the Arms Wide Open Association, Sofia Municipality – Oborishte District, and the Norwegian company Prios Kompetanse, supported by the EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021.
The Centre is specifically designed to meet the needs of refugees, third-country nationals seeking or receiving protection, displaced persons from Ukraine, as well as members of the local community.
Its mission is to provide a comprehensive range of services, including social support, counseling, legal assistance, and welfare resources, all aimed at supporting successful integration into Bulgarian society and helping individuals build a dignified and stable life in the country.
"Arms Wide Open" Summer School vol.3
/July-August 2024/
Funding Organization: EEA and Norway Grants 2014–2021
From July 8 to August 30, 2024, the third edition of the Summer School took place, becoming a tradition and an example of a successful and innovative integration project. The program was spread over 8 intensive weeks or 40 days, and included 121 children. It was carefully designed specifically for each age group, taking into account its characteristics, interests, and needs.
Each week had a theme around which the activities were planned, including Bulgarian language lessons and art workshops.
The goal of these themes was to unite all the children from the school and provide an opportunity for collaborative work across mixed age groups.
The activity is carried out under the project DFPO-1.008 “Cultural and educational center for integration of refugees and migrants “Arms Wide Open” from the “Fund for Bilateral Relations” of the Financial Mechanism of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021, in partnership with Oborishte District, Sofia Municipality and Prios Kompetanse.
“ARMS WIDE OPEN” CHRISTMAS RELAY /December 2023-March 2024/
Donation campaign through Platformata.bg
The most meaningful gifts are often not what’s under the wrapping, but the gesture itself. And just as often, giving can be as joyful as receiving. That’s why we launched a particularly heartfelt initiative: to give both children and people in need the joy of receiving and the fulfillment of giving.
We reached and brought joy to:
- 15 children from the “Karapuz” early childhood group at Open Arms
- 32 young people from “Blagoveshtenie”, a Caritas center for social rehabilitation and integration of people with disabilities
- 80 Ukrainian refugee children supported by the Volunteer Center in Pomorie
- 224 children (including 62 unaccompanied minors) at the Registration and Reception Center in Harmanli
- 50 children aged 4 to 20 from the Complex for Social Services for Children and Families in the town of Roma
Bulgarian language courses for students/February 2022-June 2023/
Funding Organization: Bcause Foundation
The preparatory courses in Bulgarian language and literature were designed primarily to support students in preparing for the compulsory exams and external assessments in Grades 4, 7, and 10. A total of 22 students took part, divided into different groups based on grade level.
The most intensive work was done with 7th-grade students, who faced the particularly challenging task of mastering a broad selection of Bulgarian literary texts while also learning to write retellings in a foreign language. This dual demand required both deep literary understanding and strong language proficiency.
Beyond classroom instruction, the program placed special emphasis on helping both students and parents understand the importance of external assessments and how to approach them with confidence and preparation.
In 2023, the Grade 7 exam results ranged from 35 to 70 points, with an average score of 55.04 points.
English language course/November 2022-June 2023/
Funding Organization: Bcause Foundation
The program was tailored to the individual abilities and goals of each participant, offering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. It reached 30 people aged 16 to 45, organized into two separate 3-month courses. The training was led by a local teacher from 19 Elin Pelin Secondary School and an English-speaking teacher from the First English Language School.
The main objective was to help participants develop their verbal and written communication skills in English and expand their vocabulary. A key focus was preparing students for job interviews requiring English proficiency, language exams, and other practical situations where strong English skills are essential.
Bulgarian Language Course
/December 2022-March 2023/
Funding Organization: Sofia Development Association
The A1-A2 level courses were developed by the expert team at the “Kristina Progress” educational center, who have become not only advisors but also true friends to our students. The program engaged 52 participants, divided into six working groups, each meeting twice a week for a duration of six months.
The course was designed to provide practical knowledge that would help the trainees navigate both their professional and everyday lives in Bulgaria. In collaboration with the Sofia Development Association, we organized workshops focused on key skills such as business Bulgarian, CV writing, job search strategies, understanding employee rights and responsibilities, and employer obligations, among other essential topics.
These sessions were tailored to equip the participants with the tools they need to succeed in the workplace and integrate seamlessly into Bulgarian society.
Psychological support/November 2022-February 2023/
Funding Organization: Bcause Foundation
This program was designed for women aged 18 to 35 and provided a supportive space for healing and personal growth. Over the course of three months, participants took part in both offline and online sessions in small groups of 7 to 12 people, creating a safe and trusting environment.
The main goals of the program were to help participants recognize and cope with symptoms of PTSD, and to address the cumulative trauma caused by war, the possible loss of friends and family, separation from loved ones, sudden relocation to Bulgaria, and the many challenges of adapting to a new life. The sessions also focused on overcoming loneliness and the emotional impact of being isolated from family, as well as on rebuilding and strengthening each participant’s personal identity.
„Arms Wide Open“ Summer School vol.2
/July-August 2023/
/July-August 2023/
Funding Organization: Cargills Bulgaria
An innovative Summer Integration School for refugee children, this program has supported nearly 200 children from Ukraine and the Middle East (including Iraq, Iran, and Syria) over two consecutive years, along with their parents.
The initiative creates a safe and inclusive environment where children can access education, socialize, and adapt to their new surroundings. It offers equal opportunities for development through Bulgarian language learning, psychological support, and activities that foster integration and a sense of belonging. Beyond supporting children, the program also assists parents by providing reliable care during the summer holidays and encouraging their continued involvement in their children’s growth and education in Sofia.
Thanks to this intensive and holistic approach, around 80% of participating children successfully transitioned into Bulgarian schools, entering with confidence and readiness for the school year ahead.
„Arms Wide Open“ Summer School vol.1
/July-August 2022/
A total of 96 children participated in the program, including 80 school-age students. The core focus was the intensive study of the Bulgarian language to help prepare participants for the upcoming school year and support their smooth integration into the local school system.
The project was delivered by a dedicated team of around 30 professionals, including primarily Ukrainian teachers, young facilitators who led group activities, Bulgarian philologists, and volunteers. All team members were fairly compensated for their work and played a key role in supporting the children’s learning and development.
By the end of the program, approximately 50 children were successfully enrolled in local Bulgarian schools, entering the academic year with intermediate-level proficiency in Bulgarian and increased confidence in their ability to adapt and thrive.
Project „sMysl“ for Ukrainian refugees in Blagoevgrad/June-August 2022/
Funding Organization: Bcause Foundation
A three-month program in Blagoevgrad offered Bulgarian language courses, art workshops, and speech therapy to more than 50 refugee children and adults from Ukraine. The initiative aimed to support both linguistic integration and emotional well-being through creative and educational activities.
The courses were led by qualified teachers with extensive experience in local schools and at South-West University. Notably, the speech therapist and one of the art instructors were Ukrainian refugees themselves, bringing both professional expertise and personal understanding to the program.
Project to the call for proposals "We can"- help for Ukrainian youth
/November 2022-February 2023/
Funding Organization: Bcause Foundation
“Arms Wide Open” develops activities and projects that address the specific needs of refugees and displaced people who have found protection in Bulgaria. After going through the complex and often painful process of adaptation, many are now ready to take the next steps toward full integration.
This project provides targeted support through Bulgarian language courses, access to education, labor market orientation, psychological assistance, and opportunities for socialization. We work in close collaboration with local organizations, companies, institutions, volunteers, and engaged citizens to build a strong, supportive network for those starting a new life in Bulgaria.
"Karapuz" full-day nursery for children 4-7 years old
/July 2022-February 2024/
Funding Organization: Cargills Bulgaria
Full-Day Childcare Center “Karapuz” for children aged 4 to 7, aimed at supporting Ukrainian mothers and their children in their adaptation, orientation, and development in Sofia.A total of 50 children have attended the center, with 7 enrolling in Bulgarian first grade and 5 joining local kindergartens in 2023.
The center was self-sustaining, with parents actively involved in its organization. We emphasized both formal and non-formal education, offering instruction in both Bulgarian and Ukrainian languages.
The main educators were Ukrainian refugee teachers, whose own children also attended “Karapuz.”
Bulgarian Language Course
/November 2022-February 2023/
Funding Organization: Sofia Development Association
A joint course by SofiaLab and Arms Wide Open, co-funded by the European Commission’s AMIF program, was designed for 30 participants and included 48 hours of instruction, starting at Bulgarian language level B1.
The course was conducted online, with six additional workshops and a financial literacy module complementing the main training.
Participants were Ukrainian refugees from across Bulgaria who already possessed basic Bulgarian language skills.