Within this objective, the European Year will promote and support the efforts of member states, their regional and local authorities, social partners, civil society and business, including small and medium enterprises in their efforts to promote active aging of elderly people and to exploit the potential of the rapidly growing share of the population aged 50+.

The official opening of 2012 - European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations in Bulgaria was held on 2 March 2012 in Sofia. The conference was attended by over 150 participants. Official greetings and speeches addressed Mr. Totyo Mladenov, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and National Coordinator of the Year; Mr. Ognian Zlatev, Head of "Communication Activities" Directorate General "Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion" European Commission; Ms. Zinaida Zlatanova, Head of European Commission Representation in Bulgaria; Mr. Kaare Janson, Ambassador of Denmark in Bulgaria; Mrs. Petya Evtimova, Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Science.

Ambassadors of the Year - Ingrid Shikova, Petko Bocharov, Enio Boyadjiev, Bistrishkite babi and children from the National Training Complex in Culture - Gorna Banya greeted the conference participants.

Maria Petkova read the statement - an appeal to declare a Bulgarian Coalition for the European Year 2012 (in Bulgarian) on behalf of Tulip Foundation, members of the European Platform AGE - Charity Association "Donka Paprikova", Bulgarian Red Cross and the "Third Age" Foundation and supported by the National Network for Children. The coalition is open to all who accept the objectives of the Year.

The conference program can be found here (in Bulgarian).