On September 25, 2024, the opening 1st meeting of the WIN Innovation Group in Radomir took place at the Youth Center “Europe.” The gathering brought together representatives from local institutions, organizations, and community leaders to discuss challenges facing women in the region and to chart a path toward meaningful solutions.
The meeting began with an introduction to the WIN project, a transnational initiative aimed at enhancing women’s employment opportunities across the Danube region. Participants learned about the goals of the project and the unique role the Radomir group would play in addressing local issues while contributing to the broader mission. The project leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in tackling these challenges and achieving tangible results.
Each participant introduced themselves, sharing their roles and aspirations for the project. The group included a diverse range of professionals from the community:
- Yonko Bushnyashki, National Management School (NMS)
- Lachezar Afrikanov, National Management School (NMS)
- Kristiyana Rangelova, Head of the “Humanitarian Activities” Department, Municipality of Radomir
- Teodora Marinkova, Culture Specialist, Municipality of Radomir
- Milena Ivanova, Director, Kindergarten “Osmi Mart”
- Desislava Stoyanova, Health Mediator, Municipality of Radomir
- Teodora Adamova, NGO Representative
- Nikoleta Stoyancheva, Chief Specialist for Education, Municipality of Radomir
- Karina Vasileva, Youth Employment+ Project Associate, Municipality of Radomir
- Violina Ivanova, Secretary of the Local Commission for Combating Juvenile Delinquency, Municipality of Radomir
The core of the discussion revolved around identifying key challenges for women in the local community. Among the pressing issues highlighted were the difficulties of balancing motherhood with employment, the limited capacity of childcare facilities, and the gendered nature of employment in the region, where large enterprises predominantly employ men, leaving women engaged mostly in humanitarian work and trade. The group also noted a lack of access to programs and funding for starting businesses, as well as cultural barriers and limited education opportunities, particularly among minority communities.
As the discussion unfolded, participants shared insights into broader trends in the municipality, such as the return of young families with children, the migration of childless young adults to larger cities for better opportunities, and the relatively low unemployment rate. These observations underscored Radomir’s potential as a family-friendly community while also highlighting areas for improvement in women’s career development and social inclusion.
The meeting concluded with a plan for the group’s next steps. Participants agreed to conduct further research into the challenges faced by women in Radomir to validate and expand upon the issues identified during the session. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for October 31, 2024, to discuss their findings and begin formulating solutions.
This first gathering of the WIN Innovation Group in Radomir laid a strong foundation for future efforts. Through collaboration, shared insights, and a commitment to change, the group aims to create opportunities and innovative solutions that will make a lasting impact on the lives of women in the community.
