site.btaYoung Bulgarian Journalists Complete EU-Focused Training Organized by BTA and European Parliament

The Head of the European Parliament (EP) Office in Bulgaria, Teodor Stoychev, and journalism professor Georgi Lozanov presented certificates to participants in the fourth training programme for young journalists, organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in partnership with the European Parliament. Ten young journalists took part in the programme.

Over the course of the three-day training, participants explored topics related to the work of European institutions, disinformation campaigns, and the role of the media. They also took part in practical exercises aimed at learning how to communicate European issues in an accessible way.

“The European Union offers enormous opportunities, but you need to know how to make use of them and how to influence the many small levers in the decision-making process. This training is about helping you understand those levers better,” Stoychev said at the certificate ceremony.

He added that it is time to stop repeating that Bulgaria is a small country with little influence in the EU. “That narrative is part of a long-running hybrid war and propaganda effort. Bulgaria is a medium-sized country in the EU, both in terms of population and territory. It’s up to us, as Bulgarians, to recognize our place—and to aim higher. There are countries much smaller than ours that punch above their weight. It’s up to us, and to you, to do the same,” Stoychev said.

He thanked the ten journalists for their participation, as well as Bilyana Tsarnorechka and Kalina Varbanova from the EP Office in Sofia. “We are always happy to help or guide you—whether you need information, sources, or contacts useful in your work. I hope we will continue to collaborate and support each other,” Stoychev concluded.

Certificates were awarded to Aleksandar Iliev of Bulgarian National Television, Viktor Topalov of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), Elya Izetova of the OFFNews news site, Erik Borozenkov of Nova TV, Ivan Dolev of BTA, Kalina Stoyanova (BNR), Mihaela Dimitrova (BTA), Nikolay Djambazov (BTA), Stella Stoyanova (bTV Media Group), and Todor Draganov (Euronews Bulgaria).