Bulgaria

Q1. Have the Member States reviewed their legislation, policies and learning frameworks to ensure that they are aligned with the recommendations, principles and guidance?

Bulgaria has adopted several strategic initiatives and policies since 2017 that align with the principles of the Council of Europe’s DCE Recommendation, even if the Recommendation itself is not explicitly referenced. These efforts reflect the country’s commitment to fostering digital citizenship education through digital skill development, online safety measures, and integration of digital competencies into education systems.

The Digital Bulgaria 2025 National Programme outlines key priorities such as enhancing digital competencies among teachers and students, protecting children’s rights online, and broadening access to digital services. The program integrates principles like safeguarding against harmful online activities and promoting inclusive digital participation, aligning with broader European and international frameworks for fostering a secure and equitable digital society.
The Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030, developed by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), reflects Bulgaria’s intention to embrace technological advancements within the educational sphere. This concept includes provisions for equipping students and teachers with AI-related digital skills, ensuring ethical implementation of AI tools, and incorporating these technologies into the learning process to foster innovation and digital literacy.
The National Education Development Programme: Bulgaria 2030 emphasizes modernising the national education system by integrating digital technologies into teaching and learning practices. It focuses on building a foundation for active citizenship, which encompasses fostering critical thinking, creativity, and an understanding of democratic values. Digital education is considered essential for preparing Bulgaria’s citizens for active participation in both the digital and real-world environments.
Additional measures, such as the Toolkit for Training and Assessment of Digital Skills (2023), have been introduced to promote lifelong learning in digital competencies. The toolkit, designed in alignment with the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp 2.1), provides structured resources for training 660,000 individuals in digital skills by 2027, including online certification opportunities and resources for self-paced learning.
The National Virtual E-Learning Platform, set for completion by mid-2026, is designed to facilitate remote learning for individuals aged 16 and above. This platform is especially focused on providing flexible opportunities for disadvantaged groups, such as persons with disabilities or those with low education levels. The initiative is supported by the establishment of 760 digital clubs that offer free access to internet and computers, along with mentorship services.
Collectively, these policies reflect Bulgaria’s strategic efforts to align its digital and educational frameworks with principles of digital citizenship, inclusivity, and equitable education.

Sources

Original https://www.mtc.government.bg/sites/default/files/uploads/it/09-12-2019_programa_-cifrova_bulgariya_2025.pdf
Info in English on the website https://www.mtc.government.bg/en/category/85/national-program-digital-bulgaria-2025-and-road-map-its-implementation-are-adopted-cm-decision-no73005-12-2019
https://www.mtc.government.bg/sites/default/files/conceptforthedevelopmentofaiinbulgariauntil2030.pdf
https://www.minfin.bg/en/1394
Online survey with national authorities
Online survey with national authorities

Q2. Have the Member States promoted the implementation of the Recommendation in formal, non-formal and informal education settings?

Bulgaria has taken a multidimensional approach to implementing digital citizenship education (DCE) in formal, non-formal, and informal education settings, utilizing various programs and initiatives to enhance digital skills and citizenship awareness. In formal education: The initiatives under the Digital Bulgaria 2025 National Programme and the National Education Development Programme: Bulgaria 2030 include integrating digital competencies into the curriculum at all levels of education. Efforts are focused on ensuring students acquire the digital skills necessary to navigate and contribute responsibly to the digital world. In non-formal education: a) Organizations like the Digital Skills Academy conduct summer schools where students gain advanced knowledge and skills in digital technology. These programs are designed to prepare participants for further education, training, and employment in the digital sector. b) Similarly, initiatives like Teach for Bulgaria, in partnership with European Schoolnet, provide specialised training for teachers to enhance their digital literacy and equip them to deliver effective digital education. c) The informal education sector is also vibrant, with the Bulgarian Safer Internet Centre actively participating in global initiatives like Safer Internet Day. This annual event includes discussions and workshops on topics such as cyberbullying, online safety, and misinformation, engaging parents, educators, and students. The Centre also develops educational materials and organizes campaigns to promote safer and more responsible internet use among children and adolescents. Moreover, the Institute of Strategic Dialogue’s “Young Digital Leaders” Curriculum focuses on teaching children aged 12–15 about their online rights and responsibilities, equipping them with the knowledge to act responsibly in digital spaces. These activities are complemented by national conferences on media literacy and critical thinking, organized in collaboration with educational stakeholders, and the Coalition for Media Literacy’s efforts to map and promote media literacy initiatives across Bulgaria. d) The Coalition for Media Literacy held an event dedicated to the media and information literacy with the support of the |Ministry of Education and Science, where it presented an interactive map of media literacy in Bulgaria.

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Q3. Have the Member States assessed the impact of the legislation and policies implementing the Recommendation at regular intervals?

Bulgaria has implemented structured mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress of its digital and education-related strategies, although specific information about their alignment with the DCE Recommendation is limited.

The Digital Bulgaria 2025 National Programme employs indicators sourced from official national and European institutions, including the Digital Agenda for Europe Scoreboard and reports on digital progress. These indicators assess the effectiveness of the program in enhancing digital skills, expanding internet access, and safeguarding online spaces. The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology, and Communications oversees this evaluation process.
The Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030 outlines a detailed monitoring framework that assesses compliance with budgets, timelines, and planned outcomes. Key performance parameters include the effective use of resources, regulatory compliance, and adherence to ethical standards. Monitoring is coordinated by a designated body or council under the Council of Ministers, which includes representatives from academia, government, and civil society.
The National Education Development Programme: Bulgaria 2030 includes a robust framework for monitoring progress toward its strategic goals of economic development, demographic growth, and reduced inequalities. The program’s Coordination Committee manages the assessment process, ensuring that objectives are met through targeted interventions.
Despite these frameworks, the Ministry of Education and Science has indicated gaps in information specific to monitoring and evaluating DCE-related activities. However, broader digital transformation efforts are regularly assessed, reflecting the government’s commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive society.

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Q4. Have the relevant stakeholders been involved in the design of DCE legislation and policies at the country level?

The Digital Bulgaria 2025 National Programme. Stakeholders involved in design: Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications (MTITC): The primary body responsible for the design and overall coordination of the strategy. Council of Ministers: Provided recommendations and helped shape the strategy through CM Decision №730/05-12-2019. Expert Groups and Advisory Bodies: Various expert groups and advisory bodies within the government provided technical expertise and strategic insights.
The Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030 by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). Its design involved public consultation with state institutions and interested stakeholder experts from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications (MTITC).
National Education Development Programme: Bulgaria 2030. Stakeholders Involved in Design: Council of Ministers: Provided the vision, goals, and priorities for the National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2030 and approved the strategic framework. Ministry of Finance: Played a crucial role in designing the financial aspects and overall coordination of the strategy. Expert Groups and Advisory Bodies: Various expert groups and advisory bodies within the government provided technical expertise and strategic insights.

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Q5. Have the relevant stakeholders been involved in the implementation of DCE legislation and policies?

According to the national authorities responding to the online survey, the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) ensures stakeholder involvement through broad consultations whenever policies, legislative acts, or initiatives are introduced. These consultations occur both internally at the Ministry and publicly via the government Portal for Public Consultations (strategy.bg).

Although there is no specific DCE legislation, the principles of the DCE Recommendation inform the implementation of actions and measures related to the broader priorities of the digital society, economy, and future development. This inclusive approach highlights the recognition of DCE as an underpinning framework in shaping related policies.

The Digital Bulgaria 2025 National Programme. Stakeholders involved in implementation: Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications (MTITC): Oversees the implementation of the strategy. Municipalities and Regions: Responsible for implementing digital initiatives at local levels, ensuring that digital services are integrated into public services. Public and Private Sector Partners: Collaborate to deploy digital solutions, enhance cybersecurity, and promote digital literacy across various sectors. Educational Institutions: Implement digital literacy programs and integrate digital competencies into the educational curriculum.
The Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030 by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). Stakeholders involved in the implementation of this strategy include The Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications (MTITC), the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES), the State Agency for Research and Innovation (SARI), Ministry of Economy (MoE), State e-Government Agency (SEGA), Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP),Ministry of Health (MH), Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MAFF), Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW), Ministry of Energy (ME), Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Interior (MI), and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). It is proposed to establish an Interdepartmental Working Group, which will include representatives of key state institutions, district administrations, academia, business and professional associations, as well as related non-governmental organizations. Its task will be to analyse the overall state of the sector and to prepare an operational National Plan / Roadmap for the implementation of the Concept, which will determine the specific measures, deadlines, responsible institutions and organizations, expected results and indicators, sources of necessary financial resources and organization for performance reporting and periodic updating.
National Education Development Programme: Bulgaria 2030. Stakeholders Involved in Implementation: Ministry of Education and Science: Oversees the implementation of educational initiatives and reforms outlined in the strategy. Municipalities and Regions: Responsible for implementing educational initiatives at local levels, ensuring that educational services are effectively integrated into public services. Public and Private Educational Institutions: Collaborate to deploy educational solutions, enhance educational infrastructure, and promote digital literacy across various sectors. Teacher Training Institutions: Implement teacher training programs to ensure educators are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the strategy’s goals.

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Q6. Have the relevant stakeholders been involved in the evaluation of DCE legislation and policies?

According to the national authorities responding to the online survey, the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) ensures stakeholder involvement through broad consultations whenever policies, legislative acts, or initiatives are introduced. These consultations occur both internally at the Ministry and publicly via the government Portal for Public Consultations (strategy.bg).

Although there is no specific DCE legislation, the principles of the DCE Recommendation inform the implementation of actions and measures related to the broader priorities of the digital society, economy, and future development. This inclusive approach highlights the recognition

1. The Digital Bulgaria 2025 National Programme: No information was found

2. The Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030 by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). The monitoring of the implementation of AI-related activities in the relevant sectoral and regional policies to be carried out by a Coordinating Body / Council appointed by the Council of Ministers. The Council should involve representatives of all stakeholders and establish a model and mechanism for coordination at the strategic, political, operational and technical levels.

3. National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2030. At operational level, the Coordination Committee for the management, monitoring, control and reporting will continue to perform its functions in relation to BULGARIA 2030.

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Q7. Have the Member States supported the creation of frameworks for cooperation between public, private and civil society actors and education institutions?

National and Regional STEM Centres: These Centres are part of a broader initiative to modernize education through the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This project includes one national and three regional STEM Centres. These Centres are tasked with developing content, tools, methodologies, and supporting the training of teachers and students. Additionally, more than 2,200 STEM laboratories are being established in schools to enhance digital literacy and teaching methods in STEM subjects
Learning one-on- one, a website training students and teacher digital skills
A blog dedicated to sharing insights and resources on digital education and skills
The “Ericsson Educate: 5G University” program, a collaboration between Ericsson and the Technical University of Sofia. Bulgaria is the first country where Ericsson implements its global 5G University program as an optional subject in the curriculum of 3rd and 4th year bachelor students, as well as 1st year master students. It provides a 64-hour in-depth training on 5G technology and standards.
“The Bulgarian Safer Internet Centre collaborates with teachers and parents to raise awareness about internet safety through campaigns, training sessions, and YouTube videos.
The Digital National Alliance Bulgaria is a non-governmental organization founded in 2013. It operates as part of the European Commission’s Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition initiative. It aims to encourage cooperation and exchange of ideas on improving digital skills in Bulgaria among its members from various sectors of the economy for example the private sector, academic institutions, and public administrators. It is part of the European Commission’s Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition (DSJC) initiative. Finally, on its website, visitors can take a quick test to evaluate their digital skills through an online test. It has launched programs to improve digital skills in Bulgaria, such as the National Program “Digital Qualification which aims to upskill teachers with digital skills at all levels of education”
The Coalition for Media Literacy, along with its associated organisations, plays a key role in advancing digital citizenship education (DCE) in Bulgaria. This partnership focuses on media literacy initiatives and collaboration with public institutions.
In 2022, the UNESCO Chair on Media and Information Literacy was established at the University of National and World Economy, supported by the Ministry of Education and Science. This initiative strengthens academic and research capacity in DCE-related topics, focusing on media literacy education and fostering public-private collaboration.

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Q8. Have the Member States ensured that the cooperation frameworks between stakeholders align with standards for equitable quality education?

No information found

Q9. Have the Member States been involved in cooperation between the Council of Europe and international organisations in designing and implementing strategies, policies, programmes and research on DCE?

Member of INHOPE / INSAFE (Centres from BIK+)
The INHOPE network
Media literacy expert group (E02541)
Working Group on Digital Education: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (DELTA) (E03787)
Commission Expert group for Digital Education Content (E03942)
Commission Expert Group – Expert group on Safer Internet for Children
EDMO Hubs – EDMO
Member of ADMO – Adri Digital Media Observatory
Member of Commission Working group on Schools

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Additional questions on the DCE Recommendation

Training on DCE to teachers and other professionals:
Yes, according to the national authorities responding to the online survey, the Ministry of Education and Science has recommended topics related to DCE to be included in the in-service training curricula for future and professional teachers.

Translation and dissemination of DCE Recommendation:
Yes, according to the national authorities responding to the online survey, the Ministry of Education and Science has translated in 2019 and disseminated the Recommendation among a wide range of education stakeholders. It was communicated via the regular channels and contact lists of the Ministry as well as via the relevant experts dealing with topics related to DCE.

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