EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOUNDATION - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Dissemination and Communication Expert

Apostol Apostolov was born in the city of Sofia. He has a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Sofia University of Mining and Geology "St. Ivan Rilski". He started working at the European Institute (EI) in 2003. Apostol Apostolov's responsibilities in the EI are related to: communication and dissemination; and data protection. Through the years, he has gained solid expertise and experience in the development, testing and subsequent development of various technology tools and modules. Apostol actively participates in the projects the EI implements by coordinating the conduct of quantitative research and database processing. He is also responsible for the preparation of promotional materials and visualization, the maintenance of various online-based resources and the EI's pages. Apostol coordinates the development of the EI's partners' network on a national and an international level. He serves as a communications expert interacting with international projects and partner organizations of the EI, and also represents the EI at various forums in Bulgaria and abroad.

Job Titles:

• Programme Director
• Program Director and Senior Researcher at EI

Borislav holds a PhD degree in Modern and Contemporary History from the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridsky. He specialized at the Galway National University of Ireland. As a young researcher, Mr. Mavrov has participated in numerous European Commission Research Programs. Before joining the European Institute (EI) in 2007, he worked as an adviser at the European Parliament in Brussels (2007) and served as International Secretary of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria Political Party (2004-2007). Currently, Dr. Mavrov is Program Director and Senior Researcher at EI. In parallel, he serves as an associate lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy at Sofia University. Since 2008, Borislav has been actively involved in the EC's Europe Direct network, subsequently serving as the manager of Europe Direct's centres in Sofia and in Varna. Dr. Mavrov has a proven expertise in managing wide-scale EU-funded research projects. He is a regular contributor to scientific publications, handbooks, and reports.

Job Titles:

• Projects and Programmes Expert

Job Titles:

• Programmes and Projects Expert

Irina Yordanova was born in 1976 in Ruse. She graduated from French Language High School, Ruse. In 2000 she received a master degree in European Studies at Ruse University "Angel Kanchev". Since March 2008 she has been working as an expert in the European Information Relay "Europe Direct" - Ruse. She has worked as a Public Relations Expert in projects under the program for Cross Border Cooperation Romania - Bulgaria 2007 - 2013. In 2013, she joined the European Institute as an expert in international projects and programs. In the same year is the manager of the Europe Direct Information Center- Ruse. She works on projects primarily in the field of providing information and communication on EU related issues; participates in the development of analytical materials and reports, and in the organization of diverse public events. Irina Yordanova is fluent in French and English.

Job Titles:

• Director

Mrs. Lubov Panayotova is the director of the European Institute since september 2009, after eight years being its programme director. Since 1992 in the Ministry of Industry she is involved on different aspects of international activities and in the process of Bulgaria EU accession. She was part of the teams negotiating the Central Free Trade European Agreement, the European Free Trade Agreement, and many bilateral agreements related to trade investment. Mrs. Panayotova was Former Deputy Minister of Economy 1999 - 2001, Member of the Core Team for Negotiations of Bulgaria to EU - responsible for the following 4 Chapters: Free Movement of Goods, Industrial Policy, Small and Medium Size Enterprises, Consumer Protection. She is qualified in acquis communautaire, international relations and possesses extensive experience in the work with different Branch Chambers and Economic Unions, media and NGOs on EU matters. Mrs. Panayotova is a part-time lecturer on European Integration in the University for National and World Economy of Sofia. She holds Master Degree in Electrical Engineering and has a specialization in Effective Management in Administration, as well as diploma for Financial Management.

Ralitza Ivanova is fluent in English. She has worked as an accountant in the European Institute Foundation since March 2006. During the period January - March 2006 she was intern in the TAIS Accounting and Consultancy Company. Between 2002 and 2005 she had a maternity leave. From 1999 to 2002 Ralitza Ivanova was a consultant in the REEBOK Representation Office.

Job Titles:

• Financial Expert

Mrs. Ralitza Ivanova has a Degree in Economic Managment at Southwest University "Neophyte Rilski" Blagoevgrad (1999 - 2003). She is a Specialist in banking, health and social insurances, has Degree in Vocational School on Economics "Vasil Levski", town of Montana (1994 - 1999).

Job Titles:

• European Integration Expert

Svetlana Yordanova was born in 1995 in Dupnitsa. In 2014 she graduated from the "St. Paisiy Hilendarski", Dupnitsa, profile with an extended Spanish language study. In 2018, she obtained a bachelor's degree in "European Studies" at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". Svetlana Yordanova also has a master's degree in "Business Administration" from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". She worked as an associate in the management of European projects and programs. Since October 2019, she is an Information Service expert at the European information centre "Europe Direct" and a European Integration expert at the European Institute. The main projects she works on are in the field of youth and EU-related issues. As an expert, Svetlana Yordanova participates in developing various analytical materials and reports, and in organising and holding public events. Svetlana is fluent in Spanish and English.

Job Titles:

• European Integration Expert

Victoria Baramova was born in 1984 in Sofia. She graduated from Spanish Language High School "M. de Cervantes", Sofia. In 2007 she received a bachelor degree in European Studies at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". Since 2007 she has been studying Master in Business Administration (Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"). Before that she worked as translator with Spanish language. Since May 2008 she has been working as assistant in the European Information Relay "Europe Direct" - Sofia. In September 2008 she joined the European Institute Foundation as an expert in "European integration". Victoria Baramova is fluent in Spanish and English.