For the last two years Ivaylo Madzharov has been the Business Development Representative at Ucha.se, an online educational platform, for schools in Bulgaria. In the last few months he has also been providing Ucha.se as a social benefit to innovative employers. Despite his short work experience and young age, he has shown commitment and skills, which are very relevant for the Advocacy Academy and thus, contributing to a better environment in Bulgaria in this regard.
Participating in the Advocacy Academy will serve as a pivotal step in his professional growth. He is enthusiastic about gaining comprehensive insights into advanced advocacy strategies, refining his communication skills, and developing a nuanced understanding of the dynamic political landscape in Bulgaria.
Ivaylo had the chance to work on this goal as a participant of the AUBG Advocacy Academy, in partnership with the Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association (BESCO), during the spring of 2024.
Read more about his takeaways in his story below:
Takeaways
I plan to use what I’ve learned by organizing roundtable discussions with stakeholders to improve educational access for students in Bulgaria. The training also enhanced my ability to present data-driven arguments to policymakers, strengthening our advocacy efforts. I had a different view on policy-making processes which will help me in the future in my NGO.
This program put me in the place where I understand more about essential skills, fostering a more engaged civil society in Bulgaria.
Now, I am more secure on how to plan and evaluate campaigns that hold the government accountable, enhancing democratic processes and ensuring policies better reflect public needs.
Highlights
We built a supportive community, which is crucial for exchanging ideas and resources. I also had the opportunity to speak with people who are working in the government, which helped me understand the policy landscape better. Also, to understand better what motivated people to work in government and how we can improve them for better administrational services.
