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The BHC’s 2025 Human of the Year is Boyan Yurukov

Boyan Yurukov was awarded “Human of the Year”, and ten other individuals and organizations were honored during the 18th edition of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee’s annual human rights awards. The ceremony on December 10th, Human Rights Day, coincided with one of the country’s largest pro-democracy protests in recent decades, a fact that only raised the spirit of celebration and unity among its attendees. A day later, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov announced that the Bulgarian government would resign. No clearer message could be drawn about the absolute necessity of perseverance and active engagement in order for democracy to flourish. Join us. Help us continue to platform the people who put human rights first by making a donation to our ongoing campaign.

We are proud to announce the winners of the Human of the Year Awards for 2025, a year marked by turbulence. The jury awarded 11 individuals, civic groups and organizations who demonstrated their commitment, solidarity and sustained efforts to protect human rights and democratic values. In 2025, the Human of the Year campaign was organized in partnership with the Danish Presidency of the European Union.

The evening’s grand prize, “Human of the Year”, was presented by the jury’s chair, BHC Co-Chair Adela Katchaounova, to blogger and open data activist Boyan Yurukov. Yurukov was commended for his work in publishing an easily accessible database of over 4,400 state-owned properties planned to be sold by the government, as well as for his dedicated efforts to analyze and publicize information for the public good. “The jury today is not merely rewarding a single blogger or activist. We are rewarding the idea that civic bravery is a form of service and that real change starts with awareness and persistence. It can start with just one person — with competence, patience and a sound moral compass”, Katchaounova said in her speech.

Boyan Yurukov expressed his gratitude for the award, sharing that it was an honor to be “among people who go out of their way to help others.” “I have always been afraid that knowledge can lead to fear. But looking at this hall and the people [protesting] in the square, I already think that is not the case. People are taking action, asking for more, pursuing responsibility, and this creates civic energy and leads to change,” he added.

The ceremony was kicked off by BHC Co-Chair Radoslav Stoyanov and H.E. Flemming Stender, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Bulgaria. “During the Danish EU Presidency, the Danish Embassy in Sofia has given special priority to engage in dialogue with young Bulgarians in high schools and universities not only in Sofia but in particular around the country. And it’s been a pleasure for me to witness the keen interest among young people towards the European agenda and their support for our common European democratic values. It gives me hope and optimism for the future,” said Ambassador Stender.

A new prize category, “Children’s Rights Defender”, inaugurated this year with the support of UNICEF Bulgaria, was awarded to Irina Manusheva and her initiative, The School We Want, a leading voice in the fight against educational inequality. The award was presented by Ms. Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative for Bulgaria: “Irina, thank you so much for all of your mobilization, all of your advocacy. You have reached so many people through open letters, petitions, to really focus on the fact that education is not just a policy. It is real action, every day, for every child.”

Here are the other award winners:

  • Runner-up prize: “Human of the Year” — ATD 4th World and the volunteers in Zaharna Fabrika were recognized for their tireless activities in support of the families whose homes were destroyed right before Easter, leaving many homeless. Zaharna Fabrika is a predominantly Roma neighborhood in Sofia where the district mayor ignored ECtHR interim measures in sweeping forced demolitions of illegal structures.
  • “Civic Bravery” — the protesters supporting Blagomir Kotsev were awarded for defending the Varna mayor’s right to a fair trial. Mayor Kotsev was arrested in July and stands accused of embezzlement, a charge he denies. He was released on bail after five months of pre-trial detention. 
  • “Awakeners of the Year” — Dr. Kalina Bozhilova, Vasilena Dimitrova and the national healthcare protest “Future for Bulgaria” were honored for their courage in standing up against the status quo in healthcare and mobilizing civic support for a more equitable healthcare system.
  • “Advocate of the Year” — the For Nadezhda Foundation was recognized for its work serving Roma children in the Nadezhda neighborhood of Sliven, Eastern Bulgaria, as well as aiding in an investigation into drastic violations against the rights of children placed in the socio-pedagogical boarding school in the village of Varnentsi. 
  • “Activist of the Year” — environmentalist Daniela Toneva of the For Razmetanitsa Association was awarded for her fight against the pollution coming from the Bobov Dol Power Plant. She installed a pollution monitoring device in her own yard and regularly signals the authorities about hazardous levels of toxic pollutants, for which she has received threats and harassment.
  • “Digital Enlightener” — actress Boryana Yovcheva was recognized for her active involvement with human rights advocacy, popularizing a variety of topics and causes connected with human rights and democracy. Her videos on Instagram and TikTok have over 50,000 followers.
  • “Journalist of the Year” — Vidka Atanasova of RFE/RL was awarded for a series of articles exposing improprieties and financial abuse on the part of Bulgarian Teachers’ Union Chair Yanka Takeva.
  • “Ray of Light” — Katerina Ivanova and the Endometriosis and Reproductive Health Foundation were honored for their campaign popularizing the discussion of endometriosis, a painful chronic illness affecting at least 1 in 9 women, as well as promoting the importance of better awareness about the problem.
  • “Perseverance and Courage” — Yana Rupeva and Project Northwest Foundation were recognized for their tenacity to work in one of the poorest regions in the European Union with some of its most forgotten citizens, elderly individuals living in small, depopulated areas.

The Human of the Year awards have no monetary value. They represent the symbolic recognition of dedicated work, civic bravery and significant achievements in human rights. 

This year’s campaign received 130 nominations, among which 70 were chosen as finalists. The unique graphic design was the artistic vision of Angelina Mikova. Our host for the ceremony was Mimi Shishkova, influencer and winner of last year’s “Digital Englightener” prize. Professional photography was provided by Iliyan Ruzhin. 

A video recording of the entire ceremony can be found on our YouTube channel (please check your settings for automatically translated subtitles).

The Human of the Year awards in 2025 were organized by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee in partnership with the Embassy of Denmark in Bulgaria. We would also like to extend our gratitude for the long-term support of the OAK Foundation as a core sponsor. UNICEF Bulgaria additionally sponsored this year’s event and established a new award category for defending children’s rights. Thank you to all our partners and supporters!