Bulgaria

EDPI Partner from Bulgaria: Initiative for Health Foundation

The main activities of Initiative of Health are aimed at reduction of the health and social harm, related to drug use; prevention of HIV/AIDS among out-of-treatment drug users and among especially vulnerable groups, such as sex workers and Roma community; training of professionals and volunteers in HIV/AIDS prevention among injecting drug users;research projects in the field of drug use and HIV area; advocacy efforts for effective policies.

Since 1998 the organization carries out an outreach program for prevention of HIV and other blood transmitted infections among out-of-treatment injecting drug users, and since 2001 – among sex workers.  In 2003 Initiative for Health opened the first drop-in center for drug users in Sofia, and in 2006 – a second one in the Roma community. In 2008 a methadone maintenance program was started in one of the centers. 

The education of professionals and research activities are also an important part of the IHF’s activities. The foundation has completed/participated in nine research projects on the profile, behavior and needs of the target group, thanks to its unique and broad access to non-institutionalized drug users. Educational, advocacy and research activities have resulted in different publications.

IHF has participated in several international projects, mostly with European focus. It is a member of two international networks: the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network and the European Network for Social Inclusion and Health ‘Correlation”. The organization collaborates with a number of European partners, working in the filed of HIV prevention and care, drug use, sex work, Roma communities.

In Bulgaria IHF is a member of the Country Coordinating Committee on HIV/AIDS, the ANTIAIDS Coalition and the National Council for Co-operation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues.