Officla Peace Corps Programs in Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Post-communist Bulgaria has encountered significant challenges in its transition to a decentralized and market-oriented economic system. Inflation and unemployment are high, and shortages of food and fuel have been common. Environmental degradation is prevalent, as concern for economic recovery and growth have outpaced efforts to protect and restore the environment. The Peace Corps is helping to address these issues with projects in community economic development, environmental education, and English language instruction, which Bulgarians believe will help them integrate into international business and commercial activities.
Business Development
The Peace Corps business program was developed to help Bulgarians adapt to their rapidly changing economic and political environment. Volunteers work with small business owners, micro-entrepreneurs, and students to develop skills in business administration and management. They also assist in strengthening the capacities of Bulgarian business-assistance organizations to provide technical services and access to business resources and information. Eighteen Volunteers are assigned to business resource centers and local and regional economic development agencies. They also serve in secondary schools as business educators. The Peace Corps works closely with the Junior Achievement Program in schools throughout the country.
Education
As Bulgaria continues its economic reforms and attempts to expand into the global marketplace, the need for English language fluency has increased significantly. Instructors face shortages of educational resources and proper training on how to use the limited resources they have. Peace Corps Volunteers work within the Bulgarian school system to improve students' and teachers' English language skills and to develop and enhance English language resource centers.
Environment
Bulgaria's environment has experienced increasing pressure and stresses resulting in deforestation, wetland destruction, and general degradation. In response, the Peace Corps began its environmental management and training project in Bulgaria in 1995. Currently, Volunteers work with schools, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), national park administrations, local governments, youth centers, and forestry units to educate and empower communities to understand and address environmental problems and to develop and implement community-based environmental initiatives. Volunteers facilitate cooperation between NGOs and local, national, and international environmental organizations to develop a dynamic network for environmental information exchange and technical assistance.
