In April 2025, the LISTEN project conducted a participatory assessment in the municipality of Topolovgrad, Bulgaria, exploring how local organisations and informal community actors address social, economic, and demographic challenges through grassroots civic engagement. Organised by the Policy and Citizens’ Observatory, the initiative combined interviews, focus groups, and on-site observations to map existing strengths, needs, and opportunities.
Despite limited resources and an ageing population, Topolovgrad is a model of everyday solidarity. From charity bazaars and cultural events to volunteer emergency responses and educational mediation, local actors, young and old, play a crucial role in sustaining social ties.
However, the assessment also revealed barriers such as underfunded health services, weak infrastructure, youth outmigration, and a lack of strategic support for volunteers and NGOs.
Read the full report here!