Time for Action Forum 2026: Digital Defence for the Defenders
BlueLink 21-10-2026.
Time for Action 2026: Digital Protection for Defenders
. | The Steps, 12 Bratya Miladinovi Street, Sofia
How can we protect people and organisations defending the right to a clean environment, climate justice and human rights when they face digital threats, disinformation and public smear campaigns?
This is the focus of the international forum “Time for Action: Digital Protection for Defenders”, organised by the BlueLink Foundation on 22 October 2026 in Sofia.
The forum will bring together representatives of civil society organisations, international networks and institutions, alongside experts, to discuss the growing pressure on environmental, climate and human rights defenders, and opportunities for joint action.
The “Time for Action: Digital Protection for Defenders” 2026 forum is a European Citizens’ Initiative event. BlueLink is an ambassador for the initiative in Bulgaria.
The “Time for Action: Digital Protection for Defenders” 2026 forum is a European Climate Pact event. BlueLink is a partner of the Pact in Bulgaria.
Programme
17:00 – Introducing a new tool for protecting environmental rights
The BlueLink Foundation will present the environmental complaints support portal being developed under the BeLIFE project. The tool is designed to guide citizens and environmental defenders in cases of suspected breaches of environmental law, helping them identify an appropriate complaints mechanism or legal remedy.
The BeLIFE project is supported by the European Union’s LIFE programme.
International roundtable – Digital Protection for Defenders
The discussion will explore online threats, disinformation, public smear campaigns, legal and institutional pressure, and restrictions on civic participation and access to justice.
Invited participants include representatives of the international Association for Progressive Communications (APC) network, including its Executive Director Chat Garcia and members of its Executive Board, alongside representatives of Bulgarian organisations and institutions.
Participants will discuss opportunities for joint action and more effective protection of civil society activists in the digital environment.
18:30 – Free Electron 2026 Awards Ceremony
Following the forum, the BlueLink Foundation will present its annual Free Electron 2026 awards, recognising civic initiatives, journalism and the use of digital technologies in the public interest.
19:00 – Reception for award winners and guests
Participation and registration
The forum will take place in person. The international discussion will be held in English.
Advance registration is required as places are limited. The form allows you to indicate whether you would like to attend the forum, the awards ceremony and the reception.
Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
Start: 17:00
Venue: The Steps, 12 Bratya Miladinovi Street, Sofia.
Voting for the Free Electron 2026 Audience Award
Voting for the Audience Award remains open until 23:59 Bulgarian time on 20 October 2026. Everyone is welcome to explore the nominations and support their favourite.
Further information about the awards and voting is available on the official Free Electron website.
Further information
About previous editions of the Time for Action forum.
About BlueLink.net: BlueLink.net is a network for civic thinking and action, supporting the strategic use of digital communications by citizens and their organisations to protect the environment, strengthen democracy and uphold European values.
This publication was prepared as part of the BeLIFE project, which is co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme. All project publications are available here.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
This publication is also co-funded by the DiEHaRD – Digital Advocacy for Environmental Human Rights Defenders project, implemented by the BlueLink Foundation with support from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC). The project strengthens the community of environmental and climate defenders in Bulgaria and develops practical tools for collective digital advocacy, access to information and the protection of environmental rights.
Support BlueLink
BlueLink.net is a network for civic thinking and action, supporting the strategic use of digital communications by citizens and their organisations to protect the environment, strengthen democracy and uphold European values. The BlueLink Foundation is a full member of the international Association for Progressive Communications (APC) and supports and coordinates the work of Climate Coalition Bulgaria.
The BlueLink Foundation maintains the network and works in the public interest to promote:
• free access to information and knowledge;
• free and independent media and quality journalism;
• the protection of nature, the climate and human rights;
• an active civil society and democratic governance.
If you share our mission and would like to support our independent work, you can make a donation to BlueLink. For further information or other ways to support us, please get in touch.
