Urgent children's rights concerns for Bulgarian children raised at the UN Human Rights Council

Concordia Bulgaria brought the voices of Bulgarian children growing up in poverty to the United Nations in Geneva, highlighting challenges such as inadequate housing, segregated schools, and a lack of community-based services.

Concordia Bulgaria is our partner in the project "Leveraging EU influence to deliver change for families in adversity in Bulgaria" and part of Concordia's office in Austria and the National Network for Children, which are members of Eurochild.

Concordia participated in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council, which provides a unique opportunity for civil society to present evidence on the human rights situation in each Member State. During the Pre-sessions, NGOs from across the world share their observations with diplomatic missions and international organisations, helping shape the recommendations that states will later address in the official review.

Representing CONCORDIA Bulgaria, Executive Director Stanimir Georgiev emphasised the urgent need for systemic measures to guarantee the rights of children in Bulgaria. His intervention focused on four key areas:

• Adoption of a National Strategy to reduce child poverty
• Effective measures to prevent school dropout, segregation and bullying
• Acceleration of the deinstitutionalisation process, alongside access to quality alternative care
• Development and implementation of a National Housing Strategy

“Too many children in Bulgaria are trapped in a cycle of generational poverty. Without safe housing, access to education, and community-based social support, they are denied the foundation of a dignified childhood. Bulgaria must step up its commitments and invest in long-term solutions that break this cycle,” Georgiev stated in his address.

Concordia Bulgaria’s recommendations are rooted in their everyday work with children and families in Sofia and the village of Malki Iskar. We witness first-hand the challenges faced by children living in inadequate housing, struggling in segregated schools, or lacking the support of community-based services.

Placing children’s rights at the centre of national policy is not only a matter of justice, but also an investment in Bulgaria’s future. Every child deserves a safe home, quality education and the chance to thrive.

By contributing to the UPR, Concordia Bulgaria ensured that the realities and rights of children were placed firmly on the international agenda. They remain committed to advocating for sustainable solutions that break the cycle of poverty and open pathways to a better future for every child.