Awards

Ms. Gergana Jouleva, AIP executive director, and Prof. Valeriy Dimitrov, President of the NAO

AIP recognized by the Bulgarian National Audit Office for the contribution to greater publicity and transparency of the institutions

On January 15, 2013 the President of the Bulgarian National Audit Office Prof. Valeriy Dimitrov presented to Access to Information Programme Executive Director Ms. Gergana Jouleva the Symbol of the National Audit Office and a Diploma for AIP contribution to the enhancement of the publicity and transparency of the institutions in Bulgaria and to the development of an informed society.

Ms.Yana Buhrer Tavanie presents the award to Ms. Gergana Jouleva, AIP executive director. Picture by Bulgarian Helsinki Committee

Access to Information Programme was recognized with the 2011 Human of the Year Special Award
Access to Information Programme was recognized with a special award for outstanding contribution to the protection and strengthening of human rights in Bulgaria on 9th December 2011, in the eve of the International Human Rights Day. The annual awards for contribution to human rights are given by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee to recognize and celebrate human rights activism since 2008. The winner and the two runner-ups are selected by a six-member jury. An “Audience/Public Choice Award” is also given. In 2011, the jury also bestowed two special awards.

AIP was recognized with the 2011 Human of the Year Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights for its 15-years work to assist the exercise of the right to information, to encourage public demand for government held information, and to advocate for enhanced transparency in the work of public institutions at central and local level. In 2011, as well, AIP is providing legal help in hundreds of cases in which the right of access to information has been restricted.
AIP was selected out of 33 nominees in 2011, among which human rights activists, journalists, doctors, bloggers, judges, and artists. Eight organizations have also been nominated.

Mr. Filipov presents the award to Ms. Gergana Jouleva, AIP executive director. Picture by bulFoto

AIP recognized for contribution to the development of civil society in Bulgaria
On March 31, 2011, at a ceremony in Studio 5 – Sofia, Access to Information Programme was recognized with a Vidko award for contribution to the development of civil society on Bulgaria. The awards are presented by the Civil Association Vidovden and the Civil Movement DNES. The co-chairpersons of Vidovden Ms.Anjelika Tsokova and Mr. Vasil Filipov presented the awards in four categories: Person Involved in Public Matters, Model Citizen, Non-governmental Organization, and Work in Public Interest.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr. Evtim Kostadinov, presents the award to Ms.Gergana Jouleva, AIP Executive Director

Bulgarian Committee for Disclosing the Documents of the Former State Security Services Awarded Access to Information Programme for Contribution to the Opening of the Archives
On April 8, 2010, in the New Conference Hall of the Sofia University Kliment Ohridski, on its third anniversary, the Committee for Disclosing the Documents and Announcing Affiliation of Bulgarian citizens to the State Security and the Intelligence Services of the Bulgarian National Army gave awards to two nongovernmental organizations and two journalists. Access to Information Programme (AIP) was recognized with a plaque for contribution to the opening of the archives of the communist secret services and a diploma for strengthening the reputation of the Committee.

Alexander Kashumov, Head of the AIP legal team, was recognized as the 2008 "Attorney of the Year" by the Legal World magazine
It is the second time the magazine presents such awards. The nominations are based on the results from two public opinion polls among judges and lawyers from the country. The magazine also performed a survey among journalists who cover the judiciary. Alexander Kashumov was nominated on the base of the results from that survey. The awards ceremony was held on December 2, 2009. Interview with Alexander Kashumov in Bulgarian is published in the November issue of AIP FOI Newsletter.

AIP Executive Director, Ms. Gergana Jouleva, receives the awards from Mr. Alejandro Chafuen, President of Atlas Economic Research Foundation (left) and Mr. Leonard Liggio, Executive Vice President

In 2005, the Atlas Economic Research Foundation recognized Access to Information Programme with two of the most prestigious awards for establishing and promoting the principles of democracy and market economy: The Templeton Freedom Prize for Ethics and Values and The Templeton Freedom Award for Institute Excellence. The Awards were presented to AIP Executive Director, Gergana Jouleva, PhD at the Fifth Freedom Forum, organized by the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, USA on April 27, 2005.