site.btaBulgaria Adopts National Programme to Counter Human Trafficking and Protect Victims

The Council of Ministers on Wednesday adopted the National Programme for Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking and Protecting Victims for 2025. The document pools the efforts of institutions, international partners and NGOs in implementing policies for prevention, victim protection and law-enforcement measures.

The programme contains seven sections: institutional and organisational measures; prevention; training and qualification; protection and reintegration; research and data analysis; international cooperation; and legislative measures.

A strong focus is placed on vulnerable groups, including youth, members of the Roma community, migrants and asylum seekers. The activities will be carried out in strategic partnership with competent institutions, civil society and international organisations, and, where possible, with the private sector and local authorities.

The 2025 programme emphasises training and qualification of professionals, including law enforcement, judiciary representatives, social and healthcare workers, mediators and volunteers. In addition to identification, referral and support for victims of trafficking, the training covers prevention of the culture of impunity for traffickers, with a focus on parallel financial investigations and asset confiscation.

Victim protection remains a key and non-negotiable responsibility of the state. The National Mechanism for Referral and Support of Trafficked Persons in Bulgaria continues to be the main tool for interinstitutional coordination, timely response and targeted support. The programme provides for the sustainable operation and further development of specialised services for victims in Sofia, Varna and Burgas, as well as long-term recovery, social and labour reintegration measures, including voluntary return and post-return support. These measures aim to safeguard the rights and dignity of every victim, in full compliance with human-rights standards.