2025 was a year of challenges — but also of significant achievements

We will remember 2025 not only for its challenges, but also for the unprecedented public support for Marriage Week in Bulgaria. More than 45 municipalities, including Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna, Russe, became involved in various initiatives supporting families. The campaign reached over 1,000,000 Bulgarian families, received an official greeting from the President, and was supported by the Holy Synod.

Most Significant Achievements of the Year

Protecting the Rights of Children and Families

We helped stop dangerous amendments to the Family Code that would have created legal grounds for the legalization of same-sex parenthood and adoption. In doing so, we defended the right of children to have a relationship with both of their parents.

Together with partner organizations, we prepared a joint report to the UN Human Rights Council defending the rights of children and parents in relation to restrictions on propaganda promoting non-traditional sexual orientation and ideological messaging on gender identity in kindergartens and schools.

Our efforts, together with more than 70 organizations from 5 continents, contributed to the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls calling for a ban on so-called “gender transition” procedures for children — including puberty blockers, hormones, and surgical interventions with severe and irreversible consequences.

An important victory for the protection of the family, parental rights, and the sovereign right of nations to uphold their values was the adoption of an amendment to a UN resolution removing the term “sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).”

Highlights of Our Work Throughout 2025

January

We prepared three expert opinions on proposed legislation concerning so-called “shared parenting,” emphasizing that the interests and well-being of children must remain the highest priority.

February

We coordinated the 14th edition of Marriage Week in Bulgaria and supported the organization and implementation of numerous events and initiatives across the country.

We also participated in a lecture at a university in Sofia titled “Truth in Relationships,” aimed at young people and the importance of building healthy relationships.

We sent a letter regarding the candidacy of attorney Yonko Grozev for Constitutional Court judge in light of publicly available information concerning a conflict of interest in ECHR cases. Following public debate, the candidacy was rejected.

We participated in the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference in London together with more than 3,000 leaders and professionals from 96 countries.

March

The European Commission withdrew the Equal Treatment Directive from its work program — the result of long-term joint efforts with others.

We joined over 70 international organizations in a declaration to the UN Human Rights Council opposing dangerous “gender transition” procedures for children.

April

Together with nine Bulgarian organizations, we submitted a joint report to the United Nations calling for the protection of parents’ rights to raise their children according to their values and for the effective implementation of the amendments to the Preschool and School Education Act adopted in 2024.

Together with March for the Family, we initiated a petition calling for urgent measures against pedophilia.

May

Through our petition, supported by over 35 organizations and 3,000 citizens, we urged the government to reject dangerous amendments to the Family Code.

We participated in a public discussion at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” where we demanded accountability from the authors of the proposed amendments.

We submitted a position paper on the general “shared parenting” bill defending children’s rights and best interests.

We also called on the European Commission to ensure the protection of freedom of expression in the implementation of the Digital Services Act.

June

We supported the organization of Family March events in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna, as well as the Family Procession in Sofia.

Together with 36 organizations and nearly 3,000 citizens, we presented our position and petition during the parliamentary legal committee working group discussing amendments to the Family Code. Our opposition to expanding the scope of the Code was also shared by representatives of the judiciary, prosecution, Supreme Court of Cassation, Sofia City Court, and leading legal experts.

Our international efforts contributed to a key UN report calling for a ban on “gender transition” procedures for children.

July

We initiated a petition for the protection of freedom of expression in relation to the review of the Digital Services Act.

We participated in a roundtable discussion in Parliament on protecting children from pedophilia.

We attended the “Cyber Defenders” event dedicated to online child protection.

August

We submitted a position paper on the Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030, calling on the European Commission to respect biological reality, parental rights, marriage, and the role of the family as a factor for social stability.

September

We sent a letter to the Minister of Transport concerning provisions in the Digital Services Act that restrict freedom of expression.

Together with more than 40 European organizations, we sent a joint letter to the European Commission defending freedom of speech.

October

We called for amendments to the Social Security Code that prioritize the health and well-being of children over employers’ financial interests.

We held discussions with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and met with the Communications Regulation Commission regarding the need for Bulgaria to protect freedom of expression in relation to the review of the Digital Services Act.

We submitted a position paper on the Digital Fairness Act, advocating for the protection of freedom of expression and parental rights.

We joined an international initiative of more than 100 experts warning about the risk of censorship through the Digital Services Act.

November

We informed institutions about risks to parental rights and children’s health in the proposed LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030.

December

The UN General Assembly adopted, by a vote of 81 to 77, an amendment removing the term “sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)” from a UN resolution — an important victory for the protection of the family, parental rights, and the sovereign right of states to uphold their values.

We requested information from public institutions under the Access to Public Information Act regarding the appointment of lecturer Hristo Ptuhin at “Vasil Aprilov” Primary School No. 38, seeking transparency about inspections carried out and measures taken to guarantee a safe environment for children.

Throughout the Year

We supported the organization and coordination of the international Marriage Week in Bulgaria.

We participated in numerous meetings, public discussions, hearings, and media appearances.

We prepared position papers and petitions supported by thousands of citizens and dozens of organizations.

Stay Engaged

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What we have achieved together inspires us to continue defending the values that build a healthy society: human dignity and freedom, marriage, and the family.

Every form of support is invaluable. Join us!

Thank you sincerely for your support, trust, and active involvement!

The Team of Society and Values Association