In these times when democratic values are under pressure, making the defence of fundamental rights and freedoms an increasingly difficult task, we’re calling on you to help us find the people who refuse to give up. The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee’s campaign for the 2026 Human of the Year awards is now underway. You can nominate individuals, organisations or initiatives defending human rights and democratic principles through courage, perseverance and solidarity.
For the 19th consecutive year, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) will accept nominations for its annual awards for human rights defenders, Human of the Year. The initiative honours citizens, activists, organisations and informal groups whose actions contribute to promoting human rights, the rule of law and democratic values in Bulgaria.
The 2026 campaign pays special attention to efforts at safeguarding democracy, as well as fundamental rights and freedoms, in the face of growing hostility both in Bulgaria and around the globe. Here, as in many other countries, civil society now faces mounting pressure, human rights work is being discredited, hate speech is spreading, and attempts are being made to restrict citizens’ role and participation in governance. Ever more frequent are political attacks on the independence of institutions, freedom of expression and the rights of vulnerable communities, which have also become a populist rhetorical tool.
In this context, the defence of human rights requires both consistency and courage. Behind every effort to uphold freedom, prevent injustice or effect positive social change, there stand people who have chosen to take action rather than remain indifferent.
It is precisely their efforts that the Human of the Year 2026 campaign aims to highlight. Let’s hear their stories!
You are very welcome to submit a nomination. Nominate the people and organisations that, over the past year, have defended the rights of others, stood up against discrimination or the abuse of power and injustice, who have worked to uphold the independence of institutions, freedom of speech, the rights of vulnerable communities, animal welfare and the protection of nature.
A special “Children’s Rights Defender” award, inaugurated at last year’s ceremony, will be supported once more by UNICEF Bulgaria.
Nominations may be submitted to the BHC via the online form at https://humanoftheyear.org/nominiraite/ or by post to the following address: Sofia 1504, 7 Varbitsa Street.
The winners will be selected by an independent jury comprising human rights defenders, civil society activists and public figures. The awards will be presented on International Human Rights Day, 10 December.
The awards have no monetary value, offering instead public recognition of civic courage, solidarity and perseverance, as well as encouraging the work of individuals and organisations towards a fairer and more democratic society. The eligibility criteria for nominations and the award rules are published on the campaign’s official website.
Since its inception in 2008, Human of the Year has established itself as a platform to bring human rights work into the public eye. Over the years, the initiative has raised the profile of hundreds of civil society causes, honouring individuals and organisations whose work has made a difference: changing public attitudes, legislation and people’s lives in Bulgaria for the better.
You can find out about all the past nominees and winners at humanoftheyear.org/en. Photo albums from the ceremonies and further information are also available on the initiative’s Facebook page.
This year’s campaign is organized with the support of the British Embassy in Sofia, the Embassy of Denmark, the Embassy of Finland, the Embassy of Switzerland, and UNICEF Bulgaria. We deeply appreciate your commitment to platforming human rights!
We’d also like to thank the media and organisations helping to bring this information to you:
Ireland in the EU Presidency 2026, the Embassy of Ireland;
NGOs and activists: Amalipe, BlueLink, the WakeUp Foundation, the Bulgarian Fund for Women, GLAS, LGBT Deystvie, Emprove, MultiKulti Collective, the National Network for Children, Workshop for Civic Initiatives, @boryanaangelova, @prokletajena;
Media: BOYSCOUT, VijMag, Darik Radio, Den.fm, Dnevnik, Off Air, NGObg.info, Kaldata, Proud.bg, the Superhuman Podcast, Momichetata.com, Deutsche Welle Bulgaria, Club Z.
