Reading Foundation

Every Bulgarian child has the right to unlock their full potential.

We support children by developing their literacy through reading!

About Us

We are dedicated to transforming lives through literacy and positive environmental change.

Currently, in Bulgaria, a newborn child can only access a mere 61% of their true potential. This figure can only be reached if they are granted the opportunity to complete the full cycle of top education and receive the best healthcare.

Is this a concerning statistic? Absolutely, but we have a solution.

We firmly believe that reading is the cornerstone of functional literacy, and that literacy serves as the bedrock for the development of thriving, democratic societies.

Every child has the fundamental right to the best possible chance for personal growth, to thrive in nurturing conditions, and to realize their full potential in life.

The development of functional literacy through the act of reading is of paramount significance in our mission.

Let’s change the current situation TOGETHER!

Our mission

The skills of extracting and analyzing information, which form the foundation of functional literacy, begin to develop through reading from the earliest stages of life.

We are dedicated to supporting both families and professionals in the field, providing them with access to books and valuable insights on the effective use of reading.

Our goal is to empower them to nurture children’s skills and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities that life presents.

Our goals

We aspire to ensure that every child born in Bulgaria has access to books that empowers them to unlock their full potential.

We are committed to help equip every family with a home library, along with the awareness of the profound impact of reading aloud to even the youngest children.

Our aim is for every kindergarten and school to boast a well-stocked library brimming with high-quality books, complemented by proficient professionals who actively foster a culture of reading for pleasure and personal growth.

Our solutions

To drive meaningful change in our society, it is imperative to make strategic and efficient investments in literacy development, starting from youngest age, through the childhood stage and continuing to the teenage years.

We are committed to crafting science-based programs and initiatives that ensure every child in Bulgaria has access to books.

Simultaneously, we provide resources and training for adults to actively engage in nurturing the child’s journey toward becoming a proficient and avid reader.

Mission

Promoting Literacy through Reading

Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘The child doesn’t have time to read because they have to study’? It’s a common sentiment among adults raising children in Bulgaria.

Our team has been deeply involved in the literacy field for years, and we understand that without the ability to read well one cannot study effectively. Without strong reading skills, one cannot extract and analyze information from various sources, process it, and make objective decisions.

The Reading Foundation Bulgaria is dedicated to building upon the work of the Children’s Books Foundation, with a particular focus on supporting adults who are caregivers or educators for children.

Our mission is to empower children to think critically, compare and analyze information, identify trustworthy sources, and make informed decisions, free from manipulation and disinformation.

We are committed to nurturing a new generation of knowledgeable and capable adults who can confidently and creatively address challenges they encounter throughout their lives.

More about our mission

Our work

Programs and Campaigns

The promotion of reading extends far beyond the confines of a classroom. It’s a multifaceted endeavor that demands a holistic approach.

Aiming to break the vicious circle of functional illiteracy, we focus our efforts on a few streams. Our activities are based on scientific results and adapted to Bulgarian conditions.

Who do we work for?

Families with children from 0 to 7 years old
Kinder gardens and schools
School and public libraries

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We foster family bonding

Reading is about building connections. It nurtures critical and creative thinking while enhancing emotional intelligence. We are dedicated to assisting families in making the best investments in their children’s future. This involves providing access to the right books and offering science-based guidance to support their child’s growth.

In collaboration with kindergartens, schools, and libraries, we work to cultivate a culture of reading. We contribute by donating books that span the spectrum of science, art, emotional intelligence, and functional literacy. These resources are carefully chosen to aid in children’s development, ensuring a well-rounded education. Through these initiatives, we aim to strengthen the family unit, empower caregivers, and create an environment where children can flourish intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

Reasons for Developing Literacy

Family environment

Creating a family atmosphere that fosters the development of functional literacy is crucial for a child’s future success.

Education

Literacy is at the core of a good education. Without well-developed skills for extracting and analyzing information the ability to accumulate knowledge and apply it will remain underdeveloped.

Good health and well-being

Functionally literate people can take better care of their health, receive timely care and have greater opportunities for fulfillment.

A better environment

Functionally literate people strive to live in harmony with nature and take care of the development of the environment around them, which increases the general well-being of the entire society.

Development and growth

Functionally literate people think critically and approach creative problem solving, directly influencing development and growth in every sphere of public life.

A stable civil society

Functional illiteracy is at the root of misinformation and manipulation; it encourages corruption and the undermining of democratic values. We want to put an end to these processes by preparing children and adults to think critically.

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National Reading Pact

To ensure that all children and young people have the best chances for life fulfilment by learning to read effectively and think critically, we need a broad alliance.

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