Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 20.12.2021
The team of Access to Information Programme wishes you health and successful initiatives in 2022!
6th Alumni Access to Information Class 17.12.2021
On December 17, 2021, the Access to Information Programme (AIP) presented certificates to the students from professional program “Public Communications and Information Sciences” at the New Bulgarian University for successfully passing the practical course “Access to Information Public Communications.” The AIP delivered the course for a sifth consecutive year - and for a second year online. It was held in November – December 2021 with the financial support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation within the project "Transparency of Administrative Justice".
6th Practical Course "Access to Information and Public Communication" begins 05.11.2021
On November 5th, 2021 the practical course "Access to Information and Public Communication" has begun. It is being held by Access to Information Programme for students enrolled in journalism and internation business communication at New Bulgarian University and with the partnership of "Media and Communications" department.
Every Friday morning for two months the students will attend lectures online covering the most important aspects of access to information. The course is organized within the project "Transparency in Administrative Justice" with the financial support of America fro Bulgaria Foundation.
First Active Transparency Rating of Administrative Courts 2021 27.10.2021
AIP has performed its furst survey on the Active Transparency of Administrative Courts.
The aim of the audit is to evaluate how the courts within the administrative justice system in Bulgaria fulfill their obligations for proactive disclosure of information online and how they follow legal regulations regarding transparency and accountability.
25 Years AIP! 25 Years Access to Information Advocacy 23.10.2021
October 23, 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the Access to Information Programme!
10 citizens, journalists, NGOs and institutions received AIP's annual Right to Know Day awards 04.10.2021
The Access to Information Programme presented its annual awards for contributions to the field of freedom of information on the occasion of the International Right to Know Day. The ceremony was held for the 19th consecutive year, but for the first time online. It happened with the participation of 80 citizens, journalists, representatives of civil society organizations and government institutions and with the support of Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria under the EEA Financial Mechanism. ➨
Implementation of the APIA based on the data published in the government reports 25.08.2021
The AIP published updated analyses and comparative information on the implementation of the Access to Public Information Act based on the data published in the government reports "The State of the Administration" 2001 - 2020.
The analysis and graphs were prepared by Gergana Jouleva, PhD, Executive Director of the Access to Information Programme. The data is up to date as of June 2021.
Active Transparency Rating 2021 12.05.2021
On May 11, 2021 during an online press conference, the Access to Information Programme (AIP) presented the Results from the 2021 audit on institutional web sites.
The aim of the audit is to evaluate if the executive bodies fulfill their obligations for proactive disclosure of information online under the Access to Public Information Act (APIA) and other legal regulations and to assess how they respond to electronic requests.
In the lack of a public body to coordinate and control the implementation of the APIA, including the obligations for proactive publication of information, the AIP Audit serves as a model publication scheme for public bodies to increase their active transparency.
Letter of support for Ivan Pavlov, Russian lawyer and human rights activist 07.05.2021
As founder and member of the International Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIANET), the AIP has joined an open letter in the supportof Russian lawyer and human rights activist Ivan Pavov.
He was detained by Russian authorities on April 30, 2021 and accused in disseminating classified information, but it remains unclear to which of his court cases this accusation is related. He was later released from detention and currently has no access to his mobile phone or Internet.
Ivan Pavlov is a longtime member of FOIANET and is considered among the bravest lawyers in Russia. Below you can read the official letter of support published by FOIANET.