On 31 October 2026, a training session for citizens of Iskar District was held at the Vazrazhdane Conference Centre in Sofia. The program focused on developing practical skills for effective communication, presenting opinions in public and using digital tools to encourage active civic participation.
The first session, entitled “How to Speak Successfully in Public”, was led by Assoc. Prof. Valeria Kardashevska, actress and lecturer in stage speech at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA) “Krastyo Sarafov”. Participants were introduced to techniques for confident and persuasive public speaking, voice control and effective presentation. During the subsequent group exercises, they had the opportunity to put what they had learned into practice.
The afternoon session focused on “Digital Citizenship: From Expressing an Opinion to Taking Action”. The topic was presented by Prof. Desislava Boshnakova, Head of the Department of Media and Communications at New Bulgarian University. Through the lecture and practical activities, participants explored how digital tools and social media can be used to express civic positions, encourage dialogue, bring communities together and achieve meaningful change.
The training combined expert presentations with practical exercises, enabling participants to enhance their communication skills and explore practical ways to become more actively involved in public life and local decision-making processes.
The training is part of the project “Together for Iskar District: Participation, Dialogue and Solutions”, implemented with the financial support of Sofia Municipality – Europe 2026 Program by the Bulgarian School of Politics “Dimitry Panitza”, in partnership with Iskar District and the “Elin Pelin – 1926” Community Centre in Busmantsi.
