On June 23 2016, the Chairman of Sozopol Foundation, Mr. Kiril Arnautski, and Dr. Ivan Karagyozov, Chief Adviser to the international NGO regarding the provision of accessible environment and inclusion of people with disabilities, visited the office of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area in Brussels, Belgium. The representatives of the Foundation were welcomed by Mr. Zsolt Toszegi, Senior Country Officer for Bulgaria and Romania, Financial Mechanism of the EEA, and Mr. Sheamus Cassidy, Senior Coordinator and Secretary of the Cultural Heritage Sector to the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area.
From left to right: Mr. Kiril Arnautski, Mr. Zsolt Toszegi and Mr. Sheamus CassidyAt the office of Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area
in Brussels, Belgium
The meeting was very constructive, as it lasted nearly two hours. It was beneficial for both sides. Mr. Arnautski acquainted the representatives of the EEA Financial Mechanism with the active international work of Sozopol Foundation concerning the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage. Dr. Ivan Karagyozov, consultant at Sozopol Foundation, as well as Regional Director of the Center for Psychological Studies, Burgas, Secretary General of MENTAL LEAGUE and chief adviser of the Movement of People with Disabilities in Washington, acquainted the hosts with activities and opportunities for providing accessible environment for people with disabilities and support their integration through the implementation of a number of projects.
Mr. Toszegi and Mr. Cassidy emphasized on their impression by the extremely active work of international non-governmental organization from Bulgaria. They wished success in future plans and activities of Sozopol Foundation and acquainted the representatives of the NGO with extremely active work of the EEA Financial Mechanism and the prospects for development of future programmes. In addition, Mr. Zsolt Toszegi and Mr. Seamus Cassidy shared with Mr. Arnautski and Dr. Karagyozov that the EEA Financial Mechanism expected huge support from NGO sector and civil society. In detail was discussed the development of pilot projects in Bulgaria and especially in Vidin – “Baba Vida” Castle, the building of Vidin Synagogue and “Kaleto” Fortress in Sozopol – Archaeological reserve “Ancient city of Apollonia” and in Melnik – Archaeological reserve “Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance town of Melnik”. In all of these pilot projects active participation and leading role as an international non-governmental organization has Sozopol Foundation.