The PULSE Foundation presented the progress of the implementation of the project “Civic Voices: Empowerment through Participation, Knowledge and Connectivity for More Active Citizens”, funded under the Civil Engagement and Transparency Mechanism (CETM) of the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme.
The press conference presented the activities carried out to date, the results achieved and the next steps of the project. The event was attended by Mariyana Evtimova, Executive Chair of the PULSE Foundation; Julia Andonova, Director “Development and Communications” and Project Manager; Aleksandar Yordanov, leader of the “To Be Friends” Youth Club; volunteers, as well as representatives of partner institutions and organizations.
A special highlight of the programme was the official opening of the PULSE Foundation’s new podcast studio, created under the activity “Civic Media and Digital Infrastructure”.
The studio has been fully renovated and equipped with project funds and is part of the organization’s efforts to develop an accessible environment for civic participation and the creation of multimedia content. The new space will provide opportunities for conversations on important public topics, the presentation of different points of view, and the sharing of civic positions, ideas and personal stories.
Podcasts and video content will be created in the studio with the participation of young people, citizens and representatives of the local community. The aim is to encourage active civic participation, free expression and a broader public discussion of issues that affect people’s lives.
“For us, this project is important because it combines work with people, skills development and the creation of sustainable spaces for civic participation. The podcast studio is one of the visible traces that remain after the project and will continue to operate in the future,” said Julia Andonova, Project Manager.
Young people will play a particularly important role in the development of the new space: they will be able not only to take part in the conversations, but also to get actively involved in preparing, creating and presenting their own content. In this way, the studio will support the development of their communication and digital skills, creative thinking and confidence in expressing positions on issues that matter to them.
“The most important thing is for young people to have a place where they can speak, be heard and turn their ideas into something real. The new studio offers one more opportunity for this to happen in a modern and accessible way,” said Aleksandar Yordanov, leader of the “To Be Friends” Youth Club.
With the opening of the podcast studio, the PULSE Foundation takes another step toward building a sustainable environment for civic participation, dialogue and exchange of ideas. The new space will continue to develop after the project ends, providing opportunities for greater visibility of important public topics and for the involvement of people and communities whose voices often remain outside the public conversation.
Prepared with the support of the Swiss–Bulgarian Cooperation Programme, Civil Engagement and Transparency Mechanism (CETM) 2024–2029. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the governments of Switzerland and Bulgaria.