Rise Bulgaria Foundation works to ensure that every child in Bulgaria has access to quality, inclusive and developmental services in the most important period of their lives – early childhood.
Our approach combines practical fieldwork, vocational training and active advocacy for long-term systemic change in the field of early childhood development and learning. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that play is the most powerful tool for learning, connecting, and developing at an early age.
Our mission is to create the conditions for learning through play, development and care from an early age, supporting children, their families, teachers and communities. We strive to be a bridge between good practices on the ground and sustainable policies at national level.
Fieldwork: access to quality services for every child
We work in communities with limited access to educational and social services for the youngest by applying the partnership model. We provide programs, support and resources in over 40 spaces for early childhood development – kindergartens, family centers, community centers and community homes in small settlements.
- We support children from 0 to 7 years old, including those from vulnerable groups and bilingual children.
- We apply the game programs The Game Element® and Six Bricks, which develop language, social and cognitive skills.
- We promote inclusive education and building positive child-adult relationships.
Training and professional development of specialists
The Foundation trains teachers, educators, resource specialists and professionals in the field of early childhood in the application of game methods, new approaches and tools. We develop the capacity of institutions so that good practices become sustainable.
- We conduct trainings under the Element of Play® and Six Bricks programs of our partners in order to develop and increase capacity.
- We conduct certified trainings with qualification credits for teachers, principals and specialists.
- We provide models for applying the Game® Element and Six Bricks in everyday practice.
- We create learning and exchange communities that connect professionals from different backgrounds.
- We demonstrate good practices and approaches through practical sessions, events and demonstrations.
Advocating for sustainable policies in early childhood
The Foundation is an active participant in the processes of policy change in the field of early education and care. We work for systemic solutions that ensure sustainability and fairness.
- We participate in the development and piloting of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science, the European Commission and UNICEF.
- We advocate for the transition of nurseries to the educational system – for early support and development from 0 to 3 years old.
- We promote cross-sectoral coordination between education, social services and healthcare.
- We are working to integrate play-based learning into education policies and to increase investment in early childhood.
Our vision
To build a system in which every child in Bulgaria – regardless of their background – has access to a safe, supportive and inspiring environment for play and learning from their first years.
