The event will include presentation on how the EU institutions work and stages where different stakeholders could get involved, including business, NGO and government representatives and ways of building coalitions. An open discussion will be encouraged, followed by a cocktail networking.

The side event, focused on social entrepreneurship, held as part of the Advocacy Academy, offers participants a deep dive into the intersection of business and social change. This interactive session discusses the fundamentals of social entrepreneurship, exploring how innovative business models can be harnessed to address pressing social and political issues in Bulgaria. The event may provide practical tools and inspiration for participants to develop their own socially-driven ventures, emphasizing the power of entrepreneurship as a vehicle for sustainable impact. The event is followed by a cocktail networking.

This side event is held online and will focus on Advocacy practices in North America which are usually characterized by a strong emphasis on grassroots mobilization, public engagement, and leveraging the power of democracy to effect change. Advocacy in the U.S. often involves organizing communities, lobbying policymakers, and using the media to amplify voices and influence public opinion and is deeply rooted in the tradition of free speech and the right to petition the government. Even though the event will take place online, there will be opportunity for Q&A session and open discussion.

The 2nd retreat of the Advocacy Academy serves as a critical opportunity for participants to solidify their connections and deepen their networks. This retreat focuses on fostering relationships that will support their future activism, networking events and opportunities. Through a series of workshops, collaborative projects, and informal networking sessions, participants are encouraged to share ideas, gain insights and build a strong support system that will sustain their efforts long after the program concludes.

The Advocacy Academy closure event is a celebratory gathering, marking the culmination of an impactful journey for its participants, organizers and lectors/ speakers. The event will highlight the incredible achievements of its participants who have been empowered through the program and the lessons learnt, which they will integrate into their future advocacy work. Speeches by AUBG management and BESCO, as main implementing partner to the program, as well as reflections from guests and participants will fill the evening, showcasing the skills and passion the participants developed during the program. The event will serve both as a farewell of the first edition of the program and a launching pad of the program’s alumni network. Moreover, the closure event will be part of the AUBG Annual Ambassador’s day, where participants of the Advocacy Academy will have the chance to meet with Ambassadors to Bulgaria and AUBG students and faculty members.

Module 1: Advocacy in Bulgaria and the EU: Key Concepts and Definitions of Lobbying and Advocacy.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The module starts at 9 a.m.

Module 3: Public Policy Development in a Multi-Level Governance System.

Module 4: The Business Case of Advocacy

Module 5: Advocacy Strategies. Setting the stage.

Module 6: Advocacy Strategies. Positioning.

Module 7: Evaluating Advocacy Strategies

Module 8: Recap Session: Lessons Learnt