Yoana Terzieva is an accredited psychotherapist in psychodrama and group psychotherapy and a registered analyst within the Bulgarian Psychoanalytic Society. She has managed local, national, and international social projects, and researched and spoken on human rights, rights of the child, rights of women, and prevention and countering of human trafficking.  She has experience working with children in conflict with the law, women and children, victims of violence and human trafficking, children and perpetrators of crimes. 

Yoana is a founder of the Right to Childhood Foundation, a local organization that promotes and protects the rights of children in Bulgaria, and is a member of the core group of RENATE Managing Board and Yes, Bulgaria. In January 2020, she was elected as the leader of the local structure in Ruse and has participated as a candidate and head of the pre-election campaign of the Democratic Bulgaria Union in the Ruse region.

Yoana is a volunteer and activist in support of people fleeing the war in Ukraine. She meets people at border points, provides psychotherapeutic help, organizes donations and humanitarian aid, and leads cultural and protest events in support of Ukraine. 

Yoana completed her master's degree in Social Pedagogy at the University of Sofia, where she actively engaged in social policy, human rights and children's rights.  

IVLP Impact Award Project: Let's Talk on War

The project provoked debate on public issues related to Bulgaria's position on war and on aid to people who have left Ukraine. The discussion was carried out artistically through an exhibition of photographs and journalistic materials presenting the time period from the outbreak of war to the end of July 2022. The exhibition presented personal stories from refugees and volunteers, as well as moments from significant political or public events related to the war. The event was held in Sofia and was announced as a meeting to discuss the war and Bulgaria's position.

" The footage on display captures the first moments of Ukrainian refugees on Bulgarian soil - moments
of fear of the unknown, hope, and gratitude. Thank you Yoana Terzieva for organizing this important event!"- U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria

IVLP Exchange Experience

Yoana participated in the IVLP Project Women in Politics and Civil Society IRP EUR/NEA/AF, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, WorldDenver, World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, Global Minnesota, GlobalJax and Lincoln Council for International Visitors.

Yoana's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "IVLP gave me the opportunity to meet strong and motivated women leaders, whose voices are a strong message coming from the local reality of various nationalities."

U.S. Communities Visited

Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Jacksonville, FL; Louisville, KY; Minneapolis, MN; Lincoln, NE, Salt Lake City, UT

"It was a powerful experience of meetings without borders." -Yoana Terzieva

Country: Bulgaria

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