Sofia, December 14, 2017
A bill on volunteering is submitted by a group of MPs on December 14, 2017 for consideration and voting in the National Assembly. The initiative was launched by the Public Council of Citizens of the Commission for Interaction with NGOs and Complaints of Citizens to the Parliament.
In the motives the law is submitted it is shown that the fundamentals of the volunteering activities are regulated within it. Definitions of ‘voluntary organization’, ‘voluntary activities’ and ‘volunteer’ are given. Appropriate prerequisites to provide the participation of volunteers are introduced. The necessary conditions for determining their legal status are established. The relations concerning training and qualification of volunteers are also regulated. Reimbursement of the costs made by the volunteer during or in connection with various activities is foreseen.
The Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) has been working with a network of volunteers from its establishment up to now. Our volunteers, many of them young people, participate in or lead trainings for peers on topics connected with health and sexuality education, such as puberty, reproductive health, methods of contraception, sexually transmitted infections etc. They work in and outside schools; they are involved in campaigns, collaborate for giving publicity of different initiatives, connected with BFPA’s projects. They give ideas and actively participate in governance of youth initiatives and developing educational materials.
BFPA not only has great young volunteers, but also valuable resource of more experienced people with different interests, education and professional careers, united by the common value to realize the goals of the organization. For us it is an honor to have volunteers that have been with us 25 years already that continue to support the Association.