The search for the new "Person of the Year" is underway.

The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) is accepting nominations for the annual human rights awards "Person of the Year" for 2023 until November 15, 2023. Anyone can submit their suggestions for volunteers, activists, and organizations that, between November 15, 2022, and November 15, 2023, have contributed to the preservation and promotion of human rights, protection of animals, and conservation of nature in Bulgaria.

Nominations are accepted through the nomination form on the campaign's website at https://humanoftheyear.org/nominiraite/.

By honoring citizens and organizations with causes, you express gratitude and support for the efforts of individuals who are changing our society for the better. This year, the initiative focuses on women's rights and the fight against domestic violence.

In recent years, awardees have included volunteers, activists, and organizations assisting the Ukrainian people; doctors and volunteers in COVID departments; protesting mothers of children with disabilities; organizers of the Burgas Pride and the LGBTI Equality March in Plovdiv; initiatives to repeal bans; Yulia Georgieva for her work at the Pink House, and many other worthy organizations and activists. This year, the initiative highlights women's rights and the fight against domestic violence.

BHC organizes the event and the award ceremony. An independent jury will determine who among the nominees will receive the major award and several special prizes dedicated to the activities of activists, journalists, and individuals with specific achievements in the field of human rights.

This year's jury includes:

• Krasimir Kanev – Jury Chair and Chair of BHC
• Alek Alexiev – Actor and producer, advocate for numerous socially significant causes
• Alexander Dunchov – Environmentalist, forester, and activist
• Boriana Jambazova – Freelance journalist, Pulitzer Prize winner
• Nikola Rahnev – Inspirational figure and driving force behind causes for environmental protection and people in need
• Georgi Bogdanov – Chair of the National Network for Children
• Lawyer Denitsa Lyubenova – Founder of the legal program of the youth LGBTI organization "Action"
• Petko Petkov – Judge
• Kremena Kuneva – Civil activist
• Teodora Krumova – Program Director of the "Amalipe" Center
• Tihomira Metodieva – Volunteer in COVID departments in Sofia, recipient of the "Person of the Year" award for 2020
• Yana Tavanie – Founder and Executive Director of the socially engaged art platform Fine Act

The awards do not have a financial component. Their goal is to provide symbolic recognition and encourage people and organizations active in promoting human rights, protecting animals, and conserving nature. The criteria can be found on the official awards website: humanoftheyear.org.

The awards will be presented on December 12, marking International Human Rights Day, celebrated on December 10.

The unique design of the 2023 campaign is the work of the illustrator Borislava Karadjova. Once again, numerous media and organizations are partnering to promote the nomination campaign and the honored citizens and organizations.

Nominate your "Person of the Year" by November 15 at https://humanoftheyear.org/nominiraite/. Ignite someone else's goodness!

For more information:

Mario Gavrilov,

Director of the Campaigns and Communications Program

Bulgarian Helsinki Committee

Email: bhc@bghelsinki.org

02 943 4876