Past Winners – Human of the Year Awards

Grand Prize

Here are the past winners of the major prize, Human of the Year:

2008 – Judges Albena Boneva, Kostadinka Arsova, and Mimi Furnadzhieva, who issued a landmark Supreme Court ruling protecting the rights of people with disabilities
2009 – Teodora Zaharieva and the Center for the Protection of Patients’ Rights, who successfully sued the state for failing to provide life-saving medication, inspiring others to defend their right to healthcare
- Runner-up – Donka Panayatova, for leading a Roma rights organization in Vidin and promoting desegregation of schools;
- Runner-up – the Facebook group “Borderless Voting”, for protecting Bulgarians’ voting rights abroad in EU elections
2010 – Daniela Dokovska, attorney-at-law, for defending justice and the rule of law, opposing restrictive legislation, and advocating for children with disabilities in institutions
- Runner-up – Valeria Ilareva, attorney-at-law, for protecting refugees’ and migrants’ rights;
- Runner-up – “Electronic Border”, an organization advocating for digital rights and privacy protections
2011 – the Union of Judges in Bulgaria, who fought for judicial independence and integrity against political interference and corruption in the judiciary
- Runner-up – Antoaneta Tsoneva, for her work to ensure free and fair elections;
- Runner-up – Petya Vladimirova, for her brilliant, objective reporting on human rights issues
2012 – the protesters at Orlov Most (Eagle’s Bridge), who took part in mass civic protests against amendments to the Forest Act favoring private ski resort interests over public natural heritage
- Runner-up – the Association of European Journalists in Bulgaria, for their dedication to free speech, independent media, and citizens’ right to information;
- Runner-up – Toma Belev, a leader in the Green movement, for his conservationism
2013 – Refugees and the volunteer group “Friends of the Refugees”, who provided emergency support and dignity to refugees amid rising hostility and state unpreparedness
- Runner-up – Judge Kalin Kalpakchiev, for fighting against the status quo to achieve a more transparent judicial system;
- Runner-up – Ivo Bozhkov, a journalist and blogger who broadcast footage from under-reported anti-government protests where he was assaulted by police
2014 – The civilians who stepped in as volunteers and donors to provide life-saving aid and recovery support following devastating floods in Central and Eastern Bulgaria
- Runner-up – Samaritans Association, for their tireless support of disadvantaged children and adults;
- Runner-up – the Initiative for Health Foundation, for their harm-reduction initiatives to help people who use drugs
2015 – Daniela Mihailova, attorney-at-law, for defending Roma families from illegal evictions and publicly advocating against racism
- Runner-up – Victor Lilov, the first openly gay man to run for office in the country, who also advocated for involving minority groups in the political process;
- Runner-up – volunteers from the Refugee Project, for their efforts to integrate refugees in Bulgarian society with language classes and other activities
2016 – Nadezhda Tsekulova, for exposing corruption in the Children’s Healthcare Fund and organizing protests to protect children’s right to medical care
- Runner-up – Judge Kalin Kalpakchiev, a staunch advocate for judicial reform in opposition to political pressure on the Supreme Judicial Council;
- Runner-up – Meral Falik, for openly criticizing Kardzhali Municipality for deplorable conditions in its animal shelter, for which she received death threats
2017 – Father Paolo Cortesi, who sheltered a Syrian refugee family despite threats and worked to preserve the memory of victims of communism in Bulgaria
- Runner-up – Zlatina Staykova and Radoslava Stancheva, for their pedagogical support of hospitalized children in Plovdiv;
- Runner-up – Kristina Kostova, an artist who designed the first Cryillic font for people with dyslexia
2018 – Parents of children with disabilities who led “The System Is Killing Us” protests, leading to legislative changes improving support for people with disabilities
- Runner-up – the Bulgarian Fund for Women, for its systematic efforts to address gendered stereotypes and violence against women
2019 – Journalists Genka Shikerova, Polina Paunova, and Silvia Velikova for defending freedom of the press and the right to report the truth amidst growing threats to media independence in Bulgaria
- Runner-up – the National Network for Children and its director, Georgi Gobdanov, for the enormous efforts to challenge a misinformation campaign against child protection policy led by ultra-religious and far-right extremists;
- Runner-up – Julia Georgieva and the Center for Humane Policy, for a massive fundraising campaign to keep the day center for drug users “Pink House” open
2020 – Medical staff and volunteers, who risked their own health to care for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic, showing courage and sacrifice under extreme conditions
- Runner-up – the national civic initiative “For a Children’s Hospital”, which led a campaign to build a modern facility with transparent construction plans
- Runner-up – Rusi Milev, Dimitar Dimitrov, Vasil Vasilev, and Maria Koleva, who stood up against homophobia and violence in Plovdiv and Burgas after attacks on people who appeared to be non-heterosexual or trans
2021 – Educational mediators who helped thousands of children, especially from marginalized communities, stay in school during the pandemic’s shift to remote learning
- Runner-up – Gloria Filipova, Manuela Popova, and Rainbow Hub, for their activism following a homophobic attack on the LGBTI community center, and Deystvie, an LGBTI rights organization, for their legal advocacy in support of same-sex families, including filing a suit at the EU Court of Justice
- Runner-up – the foundation “Our Premature Babies”, for supporting the most vulnerable children and launching a pilot research program on their care
2022 – Volunteers, activists, and organizations helping the Ukrainian people by providing humanitarian aid and support to refugees fleeing the war, mobilizing a wide network of solidarity
- Runner-up – “Mission: Wings” Foundation and “Voice in Bulgaria” Legal Aid Center, for their systematic efforts to improve the rights of asylum seekers
2023 – Protesters in support of Debora Mihaylova and the Wake Up Foundation who, in response to 18-year-old Debora’s brutal experience of gender-based violence, mobilized huge protests leading to changes in the Protection from Domestic Violence Act
2024 – Judge Vladislava Tsarigradska, for her active role in exposing irregularities thwarting judicial independence and her longtime dedication to upholding the rule of law
- Runner-up – the educators who signed an open letter opposing amendments to the Preschool and School Education Act aimed to backtrack on anti-discrimination policy
- Runner-up – Diana Dimova and Mission: Wings, for humanitarian work with refugees and investigations of migrant deaths after their bodies were found

Special Awards

Each year, apart from the Human of the Year and Runner-Up awards, the jury also selects categories where other nominees who have made a strong impression can be distinguished:

Special Awards for Bravery & Courage

2009 – Kalina Pavlova, for her work to expose illicit business ties to government
2015 – Magdalina Genova, for promoting human rights and discuss topics that are less frequently covered, such as hate speech and LBGTI rights, via social media
2015 – Father Raphael-Rosen Stefanov, for opposing the Holy Synod’s position against more refugees being admitted and encouraging inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue
2016 – Lilia Makaveeva, for her steadfast efforts to better integrate Roma citizens through the ROMACT Programme in 12 municipalities
2017 – Pol Naidenov, for years of LGBTI activism and becoming the first intersex person to successfully change their assigned sex on identity documents
2018 – National Civic Initiative “7000”, for its advocacy for the dignity and legal rights of people with intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions
2018 – Andriyan Hristov, a school principal in Harmanli, for successfully integrating refugee children into a Bulgarian public school
2019 – Georgi Georgiev and the civic movement “BOETS”, for filing complaints against corrupt senior officials and organizing protests against the Prosecutor General
2019 – Roma activists and organizations, for rejecting and protesting a racist proposal for integration, mobilizing over 1,000 people from Roma neighborhoods to send letters
2020 – Julia Georgieva from the Center for Humane Policies, for running the only support center for people with substance use issues entirely with donated funds
2020 – Prof. Asena Serbezova, Chair of the Bulgarian Union of Pharmacists, for informing the public about possible medication shortages in the face of censure
2021 – Hristo Nikolov, a Roma activist, for his anti-discrimination work and particularly complaints against a professor’s racist, xenophobic and anti-Semitic speech
2021 – Natasha Dobreva, attorney-at-law, for her years of advocacy for LGBTI people and people with substance use issues
2022 – Sarah Perrine, for her years of dedicated and active work towards equal rights and access for Roma communities in Bulgaria
2022 – the initiative “You Choose”, for collecting parallel vote counting results and encouraging volunteer observers to look out for election fraud in at-risk areas
2023 – Darina Koylova and Lilia Babulkova, a married couple who brought a case against the government for failing to recognize their marriage, registered in the UK
2024 – Kalin Angelov, attorney-at-law, for supporting patients’ access to medicinal marijuana and volunteering to protect the rights of those wrongfully prosecuted for cannabis use

Activists of the Year

2010 – Petar Kichashki, a law student who successfully advocated for disability accommodations in public space
2011 – Dimitar Dimitrov, a prominent LGBTI rights activist, for his civic initiative in solidarity with Sofia’s Muslim community after an attack on the Central Mosque
2012 – Radoslav Stoyanov, for his steadfast and successful legal efforts to protect vulnerable groups, including the LGBTI community, and advocacy against hate speech
2013 – Boryana Borlakova, for her contributions to the fight for cancer patients’ rights to life-saving treatment in the face bureaucratic delays
2014 – Ruslan Trad, for promoting intercultural dialogue and covering migrants’ rights issues during the refugee crisis
2015 – a group of environmental organizations for the protection of Karadere on the Black Sea coast, preventing overdevelopment and promoting nature conservation
2016 – Stana Iliev, for her active role in Sofia Pride, feminist causes, and an initiative to promote welcoming spaces for marginalized groups within the local business community
2017 – “Campaigns and Activism for Animals in Industry”, for the organization’s work towards ethical treatment of animals in factory farming, particularly European mink
2018 – Deystvie, Bilitis, and GLAS, for creating Rainbow Hub, the country’s first LGBTI community center, as well as advocating for the legal recognition of same-sex marriage
2019 – “Pernik, Breathe”, a volunteer collective advocating for citizens’ access to clean air and fighting against pollution in the city
2020 – Denitsa Zarichinova from “For the Earth”, for standing up against the effects of coal-fired power, increasing public awareness about a clean and healthy environment
2021 – Borislav Borisov, for his initiative in protest of overdevelopment on the Black Sea coast in Sinemorets
2022 – Vanya Dobreva and Antoaneta Ivanova, for their volunteer work with adults and children fleeing the war in Ukraine who suffer from severe disabilities
2024 – Maya Doneva, for her “Be disappointing” campaign after facing discrimination by her employer and advocating for equal pay among men and women in the workplace

Journalists of the Year

2012 – Spas Spasov, for his publications denouncing racism and hate speech in media
2013 – Zornitsa Stoilova, for advocating for the rights of vulnerable groups and encouraging public discourse about human rights
2014 – Rosen Tsvetkov, for his investigative reporting on corruption by guards in refugee and migrant reception centers near the border with Turkey
2015 – Lora Fileva, for her reporting on migrants’ rights issues in neighboring Macedonia and Serbia, as well as judicial reform and anti-corruption efforts
2016 – Teodor Spasov, for his bold coverage of issues affecting marginalized groups in Bulgaria, confronting hate speech against women, LGBTI people and Roma
2017 – the Association of European Journalists in Bulgaria, for protecting free speech and fighting against fake news and undue pressure on journalists
2018 – Dimitar Stoyanov, for defending freedom of expression and exposing illegal activities by law enforcement agencies
2020 – Maria Tsantsarova, for her professional and objective reporting on protests against the ruling party GERB and Prosecutor General
2021 – Alexander Nikolov and Dimitar Panayotov, for their documentary about organ donation, “A Person’s Final Gift”
2022 – Georgi Totev and Georgi Kozhuharov, for their series of publications titled “Notes from Ukraine”
2023 – Maria Cheresheva, for her coverage of illegal acts carried out by border authorities before returning migrants to Turkey, which led to verbal attacks against her
2024 – Velina Popova, for her contributions exposing voting fraud in Galabovo Municipality and overall journalistic work supporting human rights and the rule of law

Inspirations of the Year

2013 – “The Early Risers” student group and other protesters at the Council of Ministers, for their civic spirit and steadfastness
2014 – Boyana Petkova, for advocacy in hospital settings regarding parents’ right to bury their stillborn or miscarried children
2016 – the Zebra Midwives, for centering women in healthcare, changing attitudes towards the father’s role in childbirth, and reforming obstetric medicine in Bulgaria
2017 – Victoria and Zahari Nedyalkovi, for their dedication to instilling a love of nature in children and adults with motor difficulties and helping them to scale mountain peaks
2018 – Loveguide, an online portal for sexual education that pushes past taboos and encourages young people to get informed and communicate with their partners
2019 – Manuela Popova, for her project combatting stereotypes and stigmas against people with disabilities and health problems or coming from different backgrounds
2020 – Yana Rupeva, founder of “Project Northwestern”, which provides services and support for elderly adults in the poorest region of the European Union
2022 – Lyubomila Krivoshieva and the Wild Animals Foundation, for a campaign to create a veterinary clinic for wild animals
2023 – Mira Stefanova, a survivor of domestic violence who spoke up and advocated for other victims, as well as helping dozens of children living in poverty
2024 – Dimitrinka Georgieva, for her efforts to desegregate schools in Varna Municipality and ensure access to quality education for Roma children there

Advocates of the Year

2017 – the Bulgarian Fund for Women, for the organization’s tireless work to fight misogyny and domestic violence and to promote gender equality in all spheres of life
2018 – Wild Animals and Four Paws, two animal rights organizations, for rescuing two lion cubs and providing care for other animals living in poor conditions in zoos
2019 – Kalin Angelov, attorney-at-law, for his prisoners’ rights advocacy and active work against police brutality and abuse of power
2020 – Ivan Burgov from “Vzaimno”, the voice of deaf people in Bulgaria, who played a key role in passing the Bulgarian Sign Language Act
2021 – Olga Mineva, founder of EMPROVE, for supporting women and children affected by domestic violence
2022 – the informal civic initiative “Breathe, Dimitrovgrad”, for organizing protests and advocacy efforts against pollution from a local power plant
2023 – Bridges, for the organization’s contributions towards a better life for people with special needs, as well as securing financial reimbursement for patients with malnutrition
2024 – Toma Belev, for investigating water resource management in the first-ever collection and summary of data on access to clean drinking water in Bulgaria

Audience Choice

2009 – Boryana Kirilova and Krasimira Velichkova, for their crowdfunding campaign to give children life-saving medical care
2010 – journalist Ivo Indzhiev, for his journalistic integrity and high professionalism
2011 – Dr. Mila Bobadova, a veterinarian, for leading a successful campaign for the criminalization of cruelty to animals
2013 – Alberta Alkalay, for her efforts to recognize Bulgarian citizens’ protection of 50,000 Jews during WWII; and Ivo Bozhkov, runner-up Human of the Year recipient
2014 – Lyubomila Krivoshieva, founder of the Wild Animals Foundation, for rescuing and caring for injured or sick wild animals, as well as increasing public awareness
2015 – Svilen Cheshmedzhiev, for his work with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds to protect rare species and promote education about conservation

Special Awards for Overall Contribution

2009 – Kakpa Panayatova of the Centre for Independent Living, for her disability rights activism
2011 – the Access to Information Programme, for encouraging government transparency and providing legal assistance in access to information cases
2012 – Rosen Bosev, for his publications encouraging discussion of and respect for rule-of-law, human rights, and justice
2014 – the Roma Matrix Project, for combatting discrimination against Roma and facilitating access to education and healthcare
2016 – Boyan Petrov and Andrei Kovachev, for their longtime conservation efforts in the Kresna Gorge and in opposition to negative effects of highway construction in the area
2017 – Kristian Takov (posthumous), a lecturer who inspired thousands of students to fight for justice and, in spite of a difficult illness, continued to speak out against corruption and a variety of societal problems

An Army of One

2016 – Milena Ilieva-Momchilova, for her tireless and successful battle against bureaucratic indifference in support of a single unhoused person
2020 – Silvia Stoycheva, who rescues stray or abandoned animals and re-homes them in Bulgaria or abroad, even in the face of challenging circumstances due to the pandemic
2021 – Dr. Adil Kadam (posthumous), for her advocacy in support of pediatric medicine and children’s right to access quality healthcare
2022 – Tanya Hristova, for her initiative to collect and distribute gift boxes for children living in poverty in a small village near Sofia, along with her other charity work
2023 – Prof. Petar Shurulinkov (posthumous), for his work to establish protected natural areas, including the periphery of Durankulak Lake, and his forestry conservation efforts
2024 – Dimitar Ploshtakov, whose methodical research proved that air quality data is purposely tampered with, obscuring the fact that it causes 10,000 deaths per year

Light in the Tunnel

2021 – Kabinet.bg, an online platform for psychotherapeutic and emotional support available in several formats to vulnerable adults and adolescents
2022 – “Nomad Classroom”, an initiative to teach children about equality, tolerance, and non-discrimination

Knights of Truth

2023 – Hristo Grozev, who exposed Russian state’s hunting down and assassination of political opponents and, as a result, had to flee Bulgaria due to threats from Putin’s regime
2024 – the Anticorruption Fund, for taking part in the “Eight Dwarves” investigation, shedding light on large-scale corruption, and advocating for the rule of law

Special Awards for Remembrance

2019 – “Belene Island” Foundation, for commemorating the socialist-era labor camp and creating a memorial there for visitors to experience what it was like in the 1950s

Lionheart Award

2021 – Kakpa Panayotova (posthumous), founder of the Center for Independent Living, who fought for the rights of people with disabilities until her dying breath

Awakeners of the Year

2019 – “Support Pediatrics”, a collective of young medical professionals challenging the status quo and protesting the lack of adequate care for pediatric patients

Influencers of the Year

2024 – Mimi Shishkova, for using her social media platform to popularize democratic values and what good governance looks like