Strategic cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway in support of Bulgaria’s international commitments to combating antisemitism and preserving Jewish heritage

On 21.07.2021, the National Focal Point, Managing Authority of the Fund for Bilateral Relations under the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria signed an agreement for the implementation of the project initiative “Strategic cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway in support of Bulgaria’s international commitments to combating antisemitism and preserving Jewish heritage”.

The Initiaitve will be implemented with the partnership of the The Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies (CHMS) on the donor side and the State Cultural Institute and Diplomatic Institute, both to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, on Bulgarian side.

The total budget accounts for €199 950 (BGN 391 068), completely provided by the Fund for Bilateral Relations.

Name of the initiative: “Strategic cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway in support of Bulgaria’s international commitments to combating antisemitism and preserving Jewish heritage”

Number of the project initiative: DFPO-1.004-0001

Beneficiary: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria

Partners: Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies (CHMS), Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bulgarian State Cultural Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Budget: €199 950 (BGN 391 068)

Start of the implementation: 21.07.2021

Period of implementation:  24 months

Project description: The project is aimed at supporting the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to implement the commitments of Bulgaria as a member of the EU and of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) for integration of measures dedicated to prevent antisemitism into relevant national strategies and action plans, in particular the elaboration and implementation of the first National Action Plan on combatting antisemitism. The following activities will be carried out within the pre-defined initiative:

  1. Public opinion analysis providing information on public attitudes towards antisemitism in Bulgaria;
  2. Establishing a thematic research network on the Holocaust and antisemitism to share good practices and scientific results;
  3. Publications on initiative-related topics;
  4. Setting up an integrated digital platform of the project;
  5. Opening and closing events introducing and showcasing the project;
  6. Elaboration of the first National Action Plan on Combating Antisemitism;
  7. Cultural and educational programmes and activities in the elaborated NAP on Combating Antisemitism.

 By implementing the mentioned activities, the project will seek to enhance the institutional capacity and expertise of the BMFA and other relevant authorities, increase the interest and knowledge of the Bulgarian citizens, raise the public awareness on Jewish culture, strengthen the academic research on Holocaust, as well as develop a sustainable cooperation and transfer of expertise between Bulgaria and Norway.