Environmental and climate activists train for legal and media defence

Sofia, October 30, 2025. The BlueLink Foundation held a two-day training workshop on "Means and Skills for Legal and Communication Protection of Nature and Climate Defenders" as part of the Be Life project, led by civil society groups EEB, YEE, Guta, and Justice and Environment association members across Europe, including BlueLink. The event brought together over 30 environmental and climate defenders from across the country in Sofia, solicitors, and international experts. 

Co-funding for the event was provided by the British Embassy in Sofia, with the aim of strengthening the preparedness of climate and nature advocates to deal with communication, media, and digital challenges.

A wide range of civic initiatives took part, including: local resistance communities against investment intentions; defenders against industrial and mining pollution; clean groups; established biodiversity conservationists; green politicians; as well as women's, Roma rights defenders, and youth groups. 25 participants presented pressing issues from their regions on Day 1. Among them: the deforestation near Svishtov for the construction of a substation and the local community's fight against plans to build a rock wool factory with an incinerator near Pavlikeni, in the North of Bulgaria.

Participants also shared concerns about a project for a photovoltaic park covering an area of 9 million square meters; concessions for gold mining in Breznik and the associated water shortages and water pollution; as well as overdevelopment in Sofia. Daniela Toneva from the civil association "Za Razmetanitsa" talked about her fight against pollution from the Bobov Dol thermal power plant, which led to heavy fines for the plant, and shared that she had been subjected to harassment.

The main lecture panel on the first day of the training was devoted to the Aarhus Convention. Attorney Summer Kern, Senior Legal Officer, Justice & Environment, and NGO Observer at the Aarhus Convention Bureau, presented the Convention's protection mechanisms and instruments for access to justice. The discussion highlighted gaps in the implementation of the convention in Bulgaria. It was noted that access to justice is highly dependent on the rule of law, and that in Bulgaria, judicial practice and the actions of institutions often serve investor interests.

Renowned environmental lawyers Regina Stoilova and Ivan Velov, shared their experience and presented practical advice on conducting litigation in Bulgaria, including possible pitfalls in the process. Among them, the lawyers noted key aspects such as the legal interest of the appellant and compliance with deadlines for appeals.

The afternoon of the first day continued with the first practical session. In it, participants split into three groups and discussed various tactics for action, including the use of petitions and other local civic initiatives, requests for compulsory administrative measures, and aspects of conducting local referendums.

The second day of training began with a presentation on the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders by Magdi Tot Nagy, Co-Director, GUTA, former Director, Civil Participation and Access to Justice, Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. The presentation was practical in nature, focusing on how to file complaints under the Aarhus Convention.

A central theme in the presentation by attorney Alexander Kashumov (Access to Information Program) was defense against strategic lawsuits aimed at intimidation (SLAPP). The renowned Bulgarian attorney examined examples of such lawsuits in Bulgaria and shared practical advice on defense against similar reprisals. Attorney Kashamov called for creativity and caution when seeking rights through the judicial system.

With great interest and numerous questions, participants welcomed the lecture by leading media law expert Prof. Neli Ognianova, chair of the Journalism Ethics Commission at the National Council for Journalism Ethics. She conducted an in-depth analysis of the media environment in Bulgaria, including mass media, digital disinformation, and methods for combating it, while also examining the role of the media in promoting democratic values and the rule of law. She provided an in-depth analysis of the media environment in Bulgaria, including mass media, digital disinformation, and methods to combat it, while also examining the role of new media regulations in response to these challenges. She also paid special attention to modern fact-checking methods as a key tool in the fight for a clean information environment. She also paid special attention to contemporary fact-checking methods as a key tool in the fight for a clean information environment. Neli Ognianova concluded her presentation with advice to non-governmental organizations: "Be alert, be active, be present."

The panel on digital threats, featuring Pavel Antonov, managing editor of the BlueLink Foundation, and cybersecurity expert Vasil Kanev, offered strategies for protecting against disinformation and digital threats such as phishing, account hijacking, ransomware, data theft, DDOS attacks, supply chain attacks, deep fakes, and coordinated online harassment campaigns.

The training concluded with a second practical session focused on developing response strategies against hostile communication practices, disinformation, and online threats. The training concluded with the presentation of certificates to the participants.

The workshop was held as part of the BeLife project, funded by the European Union's LIFE program. It empowers people to use the law to benefit the environment and climate by improving the resources available for environmental democratic rights, building the capacity of environmental and climate defenders, and improving the quality of environmental rights complaints. The information and views set out on the project website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the EU.

BlueLink co-finances the project activities with financial support from the British Embassy in Sofia, the European Climate Foundation, and its own funds.