Empowering Women’s Circle by Dignita Supports Ukrainian Refugees in Varna

On June 27, 2023, Dignita Foundation, in partnership with Ukrainian Home Varna and with the support of the French Embassy in Bulgaria, held a second empowering women’s circle focused on Ukrainian refugees in Varna. The main objective was to prepare participants for successful integration into the Bulgarian labor market and to protect them from potential exploitation schemes.

The event brought together 20 Ukrainian women from the local community who received guidance on essential aspects of job-seeking in Bulgaria, including:

• Key platforms for job search;
• Creating a competitive CV;
• Preparing for a successful interview;
• The rights of Ukrainian refugees on the Bulgarian labor market;
• Important details to be aware of when starting a job.

Meeting with Potential Employers

The women had the opportunity to meet directly with employers offering open positions, ask questions, and arrange interviews. Aldo Supermarkets, KUB Corporation, and Nathalie Leather Design were among the companies showing their readiness to provide job opportunities to those in need.

Preventing Exploitation and Trafficking

A major part of the women’s circle was dedicated to raising awareness about the risks of exploitation and human trafficking. Participants were informed about key safety elements, including:

• What human trafficking is and its different forms;
• Key “red flags” to watch for in suspicious situations;
• Specific risks when seeking employment in Bulgaria;
• Recognizing suspicious job advertisements;
• Who to contact for help if they face risk or find themselves in a trafficking or exploitation situation.

This women’s circle was held as part of the project “Ukrainian Women in Bulgaria – Access to the Labor Market and Prevention of Exploitation 2,” supported by the French Embassy in Bulgaria, aimed at supporting the integration and protection of Uk