The Compass Network of Protection and Inclusion Centres is a joint initiative between UNHCR and partners Bulgarian Red Cross, Ukraine Support and Renovation Foundation, Energy Association Varna, Caritas Bulgaria, Foundation for Access to Rights and the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee in six refugee-hosting cities in Bulgaria spanning Sofia, Dobrich, Harmanli, Burgas, Varna and Plovdiv.
These are protection and inclusion community centres established to promote collective empowerment, integration, and social cohesion for refugees of all nationalities and vulnerable people among the local host communities alike, through comprehensive support tailored to their diverse needs.
The Compass Network provides crucial context-dependent activities for the well-being of all, as well as it promotes social cohesion between refugee and host communities through regular community events, workshops, and dialogues focused on mutual understanding and acceptance. The centres complement services offered by the national/regional authorities and the municipalities with activities addressing mid-to-longer term needs of refugees, including language, cultural and livelihood.
What are the services provided?
- Legal assistance and social protection
- Legal counselling on international & temporary protection and documentation
- Support with referrals for access to health care services and rights
- Access to social services and labour rights
- Specialized child protection services and child-friendly spaces
- Play and child development activities
- Pre-school groups
- Women empowerment and life skills sessions
- Community activities and safe space
- Support self-organization and leaderships skills
- Recreation, events, and workshops for local and refugee community
- Community mobilization and social cohesion
- Psychosocial support services
- Education
- Language courses
- Providing guidance on education and skills certification
- Mobile services and mainstreaming inclusion of persons with disabilities
- Coordination with municipal services to assist transportation for people with limited mobility (Varna)
- Assistance with social protection benefits, including disability benefits
- Support with referrals for access to health care services and rights
- Livelihood and economic inclusion support – Individual counselling on livelihood opportunities according to specific needs and market requirement (Entrepreneurship, TVET and soft skills training, mentorship programs and job placement support)
| Location | Address | Working Hours | Contact details |
| Sofia | ul. “Prof. Kiril Popov” 19, 1700 Sofia bul. “Evlogi i Hristo Georgievi” 165, 1504 Sofia (Both operated by BRC) | Monday-Friday 08:30-17:00 | (+359) 882 900 896 (Mobile, Viber) |
| Dobrich | zh.k. “Balik”, 9A36, 9303 Dobrich (Operated by BRC) | Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00 | (+359) 886 447 306 (Mobile, Viber, Telegram) |
| Harmanli | ul. “Baucher” 5, 6450 Harmanli (Operated by BRC) | Monday-Friday 08:30-16:00 | (+359) 887 290 487 (Mobile) |
| Burgas | ul. “Tsar Samuil” 11, 8016 Burgas (Operated by BRC) | Monday-Friday 10:00-17:00 | (+359) 895 540 619 https://t.me/+Uy11AklhqDgxODQ0 |
| Varna | ul. “Lyuben Karavelov” 4A, 9002 Varna (Operated by ENERGY) | Monday-Friday 09:00-12:00 13:00-16:00 | (+359) 884 553 494 https://t.me/communitycentrevarna |
| Plovdiv | bul. “Knyaginya Maria Luiza” 47, 4000 Plovdiv (Operated by USRF) | Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00 Saturdays 10:00-16:00 | (+359) 882 977 523 (Mobile, Viber, Telegram) |
Services are free of charge, and humanitarian workers are not permitted
to request or accept any payments or favours.