Implementing EU Standards for Combating Gender-Based Violence in Bulgaria

ongoing

IFeelSafe is an initiative build to support quality implementation of Directive (EU) 2024/1385 in Bulgarian law, society and institutions. The goal of the project is to get closer to a future where women in Europe can say with confidence: 'I feel safe'. To work towards this vision, the project pursues the following general objectives: - Advocate for high-quality transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1385 into Bulgarian legislation, by monitoring the process and creating legal tools to identify and address gaps in implementation; - Strengthen institutional support systems for victims by enhancing the capacity of justice, police, and legal professionals to apply the directive in practice, with particular attention to a coordinated, victim-centred approach; - Empower the GBV civil society sector by building their capacity to monitor, respond to, and influence policy related to the directive’s implementation gaps through the IFeelSafe model; - Shift public awareness about gender-based violence and promote reporting by building trust in institutions and improving visibility of rights and available support. The consortium is comprised of four organizations from Bulgaria with complimenting expertise in advocacy, litigation, institutional capacity training and public campaigns, supported by two associated partners with strategic access to frontline professionals.