Bilyana Wegertseder, representative of the Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives (BILI), recently joined Dr. Dimitar Keranov from the Transatlantic Foundation in the latest episode of the FOREST Podcast Series, published by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF).
The discussion, titled Civil Society in Bulgaria: Challenges and Resilience, explores the current state of Bulgaria's civic sector and the growing pressures faced by civil society organizations. Throughout the conversation, Wegertseder shares valuable insights into the political, legal, and administrative obstacles affecting NGOs, while also highlighting the importance of resilience, collaboration, and public trust.
Drawing on her experience in democratic governance and civic participation, Bilyana emphasizes that independent civil society remains a cornerstone of democratic development in Bulgaria. She discusses how organizations continue to adapt to increasingly complex environments, including digital security challenges, limited resources, and attempts to restrict civic space.
The podcast also examines broader trends across Central and Eastern Europe, demonstrating that many of the challenges facing Bulgarian organizations are shared throughout the region. At the same time, the conversation underlines the importance of cross-border cooperation, informal networks, and strategic partnerships in strengthening democratic resilience.
Bilyana Wegertseder's participation in the podcast contributes to an important international dialogue about the future of civil society and reinforces the role of Bulgarian experts in shaping discussions on democracy, rule of law, and civic engagement at the European level.