For two days, the area in front of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia became a meeting point for causes, ideas, diverse perspectives, and people who believe that civic participation has the power to change the world around us.
The fourth edition of “Democratic Mosaic: A Stage for Civil Society” brought together more than 50 civil society organisations from across Bulgaria, with over 25 participating in the festival for the first time. Organisations, volunteers, activists, experts, and citizens came together not only to present their work, but also to engage in dialogue, exchange experiences, and demonstrate the many faces of an active civil society.
This is precisely the mission of “Democratic Mosaic” – to bridge the gap between citizens and the non-governmental sector. The festival gives people the opportunity to meet organisations first-hand, learn about the causes they champion, and discover the concrete solutions they develop every day.
The programme featured more than 20 workshops and a series of panel discussions addressing some of the key issues facing society today. The conversations explored how schools can foster active citizenship, polarisation and divisions within society, the role and relevance of the non-governmental sector, art as a form of civic expression, and the place of young people in the processes that shape their own future.
Different generations and perspectives came together on the festival stage. Participants in the discussions included Parvan Simeonov, Dr Alexander Simidchiev, Atanas Radev, Maria Salabasheva, Vasilena Kiara-Dimitrova, as well as representatives of civil society and various sectors of public life.
In 2026, “Democratic Mosaic” also created new opportunities for partnerships. Together with the Bulgarian Book Association and the “Book Alley” festival, Democratic Mosaic connected civic participation with reading and critical thinking. Visitors also had the opportunity to donate books to youth centres across the country.
Four years after its first edition, the Mosaic continues to grow. Yet its most important purpose remains unchanged – bringing people together. Civil society is not an abstract concept, nor does it exist only within institutions, documents, and organisations. It comes to life through encounters, conversations, volunteering, initiatives, and the willingness of each of us to participate.
The fourth edition was organised by the Civic Participation Forum and the National Youth Forum within the framework of the “Networks in Action” project, with the support of the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. The festival was held under the patronage of the Mayor of Sofia Municipality.