site.btaUNICEF Praises Bulgaria’s Efforts to Strengthen Child Protection and Access to Justice

UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria Christina de Bruin said that UNICEF is proud of Bulgaria’s efforts to strengthen child protection and access to justice. She spoke at an event marking the 20th anniversary of the Legal Aid Act and the Protection against Domestic Violence Act, held at the Museum of the Revival and Constituent Assembly in Veliko Tarnovo on Saturday.

De Bruin highlighted that one of the cornerstones of UNICEF-Bulgaria’s work over the past decade has been the development of the Zakrila model – an advocacy and support system providing integrated and specialised services for children who have experienced or witnessed violence, including domestic violence, as well as their families. Since its launch in 2015, Zakrila has supported more than 5,000 children and parents. The model is now expanding to eight more municipalities, with the ultimate goal of reaching all 28 regions in the country. The broader vision, she said, is to ensure that justice and child protection are not just legal concepts but lived realities for every child.

In 2024, UNICEF signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Justice and the National Legal Aid Bureau, committing to guarantee that every child and every survivor of violence has access to free, quality legal aid and support. De Bruin noted that this has included specialised training for lawyers, with a dedicated module addressing the vulnerabilities of unaccompanied and separated children.

Looking ahead, UNICEF’s partnership with Bulgarian institutions will continue with joint efforts to overcome challenges and improve coordination, ensuring adequate assistance and hope for those who need it, she added.