Foster care in Razgrad Region, the challenges faced by foster parents, and opportunities to attract more people willing to open their homes and hearts to children at risk were the focus of a discussion held at the press club of the Bulgarian News Agency in Razgrad.
The forum is part of a national initiative by the Bulgarian News Agency and the Social Assistance Agency to promote foster care in Bulgaria. Representatives of national and local authorities, social services, religious communities, and foster parents took part in the meeting.
“Foster care needs not only a well-functioning system, but also public understanding, support, and trust,” said Razgrad Regional Governor Aylin Basheva. She welcomed the conference and noted that foster care needs to be discussed more openly, responsibly, and with a clear understanding that behind every policy and social service lie the lives and futures of children.
“Foster care requires support for families and a change in public attitudes,” said Margarita Dimitrova, head of the Regional Foster Care Team in Razgrad. She pointed out that some of the main challenges facing foster care are limited public awareness and negative stereotypes about foster parents.
Foster care is an expression of love and compassion for children who, for one reason or another, cannot grow up in their biological families, said Father Georgi, the archpriest of the Razgrad District. He noted that children are a gift and deserve love, attention, and support, and that society must show particular care for those who are deprived of the opportunity to grow up in a family environment.
There are 56 approved foster families in Razgrad Region. Of these, 46 are currently caring for 51 children, said Tatyana Kostova, director of the Regional Directorate for Social Assistance.
The largest number of foster families is in Razgrad Municipality, with 20, followed by Samuil and Isperih municipalities, with 12 each. There are six foster families in Kubrat Municipality, three in Tsar Kaloyan, two in Loznista, and one in Zavet. Kostova stressed that the number of foster families in the region is declining, noting that there were 61 in 2025.
Working with children at risk requires cooperation between social services, foster families, and biological parents, said Gloria Kostova, head of the Child Protection Department at the Regional Directorate for Social Assistance in Razgrad. She emphasized that removing a child from their biological family is a complex process. Before such a decision is made, social workers make efforts to support the parents and assess their ability to care for their children.
Foster parents in Razgrad need support and guidance in caring for children who have experienced trauma, said Petar Vasilev, director of the Community Support Centre in Razgrad. The centre’s work focuses on assisting children and families facing difficulties. In foster care, it is particularly important to identify the trauma a child has experienced and understand their individual needs, Vasilev noted.
“ I have the deepest respect for foster parents,” said Ivelina Rashkova, a foster parent who has been caring for children in a foster family for years. She compared working with children to making bread — a process that requires time, patience, and perseverance. According to her, every child arrives with their own experiences and problems, and the foster parent’s first task is to help them overcome stress and develop a sense of security.
“Let us open not only our homes, but also our hearts to children in need,” urged foster parent Ayshe Bolutova. At the beginning of the meeting, a video was shown featuring Ayshe and Ibrahim Bolutov from the village of Sinya Voda, who have been opening their home for years to children in need of a family environment. The couple also shared their experiences in person, offering a message of encouragement to those considering becoming foster parents but who are still hesitant.
A family environment is the best alternative for children without parental care, while placement in residential social care institutions should be considered only as a last resort, when no other option is available, Mehmed Alya, the regional mufti of Razgrad, said in a statement, sent to the BTA National Press Club in Razgrad. Mehmed Alya had been invited to participate in the discussion on foster care but was unable to attend in person, so he submitted his written statement on the subject.
The discussion in Razgrad is part of a joint national initiative “Adopt Me,” organized by the Bulgarian News Agency, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, and the Social Assistance Agency. Through a series of meetings at BTA press clubs across the country, the initiative aims to raise awareness of foster care, give a voice to people who have already embraced the cause, and encourage more families to learn how they can help.
National Campaign in Support of Foster Care Visits Razgrad THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-12 15:47:19
Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Culture news Bulgaria, Bulgarian culture news, Bulgaria cultural news, latest culture news, breaking culture news, Bulgarian arts news, Bulgarian cultural events. Bulgarian artists, Bulgarian art, Bulgarian literature, Bulgarian books, Bulgarian writers, Bulgarian authors, Bulgarian music, Bulgarian musicians. Bulgarian cinema, Bulgarian films, Bulgarian theatre, Bulgarian actors, Bulgarian directors, Bulgarian festivals, cultural festivals Bulgaria. Bulgarian museums, Bulgarian galleries, Bulgarian heritage, Bulgarian traditions, Bulgarian folklore, Bulgarian history, Bulgarian archaeology. Sofia culture, Plovdiv culture, Varna culture, Burgas culture, Ruse culture, Bulgarian cultural heritage, Bulgaria UNESCO heritage. Bulgarian exhibitions, Bulgarian concerts, Bulgarian performances, Bulgarian cultural institutions, Bulgarian national culture, contemporary Bulgarian art, Bulgarian creative industries. Bulgaria cultural events, Bulgarian cultural news, Bulgarian entertainment news, Bulgaria arts and culture, Bulgarian cultural tourism, Bulgarian historical sites, Bulgarian landmarks.
BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-10-12 15:47:19