Queer Varna Foundation
Varna, Bulgaria
About
Founded in 2024, Queer Varna Foundation is a non-governmental organisation based in Varna, Bulgaria working on lgbtq+, human rights, arts & culture +2 more.
Queer Varna Foundation is a non-governmental organisation based in Varna, Bulgaria, working to create a safer, more visible and supportive environment for LGBTI people in Varna and the surrounding region, and to some extent across Bulgaria. It runs the Varna Queer Fest festival, a community lending library, and projects on violence prevention, online hate speech, nightlife safety and the impact of anti-LGBTI policies. It also provides legal, informational and emotional support, including to teachers and civil society groups affected by legislative changes, and offers a volunteer programme. The foundation grew out of a 2024 leadership academy and was registered later that year as the first LGBTI organisation in Varna.
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Varna Queer Fest
Arts & Culture · Bulgaria
Annual queer culture, art and community festival in Varna, expanded in 2025 into a month-long programme of films, concerts, drag shows and workshops.
Queer Library
Education · Bulgaria
Community-created lending library of novels, biographies, activist literature and resources, available free of charge in Varna.
Safe Nightlife
Human rights · Bulgaria
Awareness project and online platform on risks such as drink spiking, harassment and assault in Bulgaria's nightlife, with guidance for visitors, staff and venue owners.
The Courage to Speak Out
Human rights · Bulgaria
Project preventing violence against LGBTI people and supporting survivors, including peer support groups and an exhibition of community stories.
No Space for Hate
Human rights · Bulgaria
Project combating online hate speech against vulnerable groups, through training, reporting guidelines and public awareness campaigns.
Ripple Effect
Human rights · Bulgaria
Research and advocacy project assessing the broader societal impact of anti-LGBTI policies through interviews, focus groups and evidence-based messaging.
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Partnerships
ReBonkers, Pogled Foundation, Bilitis Resource Center Foundation, Kikimora Foundation, Open Society Institute Sofia Foundation
People
Management & team (4)
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