Representatives of more than 60 organisations, volunteers from all ages from around the country and representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education, State Agency for Child Protection and Ministry of Interior took part in the meeting.

The participants were addressed by Zinaida Zlatanova, representative of the European Commission in Bulgaria.

The meeting marked the beginning of the European Year of Volunteering in Bulgaria. The priorities of the voluntary organisations in Bulgaria were discussed among which a law for volunteering; principles and standards for work with volunteers; development of the capacity of civil organisations for working with volunteers. The themes for the recognition of the volunteering and the cooperation among civil organisations, local authorities and business in encouraging and supporting voluntary initiatives were raised by a number of people.

Ten volunteering practices from various towns were presented during the meeting. Volunteers were telling about their experience in thematic corners.

A debate “Are the citizens and the civil organisations in Bulgaria ready for volunteering” between two teams of young volunteers took place at the end of the meeting. The participants in the meeting got involved in the debate.

The participants agreed that a closing meeting in the end of the year would enable them to summarize the achievements during the year.

Tulip Foundation and NAVA announced a competition for the best voluntary initiative during 2011. The competition is open for all initiatives regardless aim, period of relaisation, participants, sources of funding etc. The award ceremony will take place in December 2011.