Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation was established in 2013 as a non-governmental organization in public interest. It is a successor to the objectives and results of the Program “Bulgarian Libraries – a place for access to information and communication for everyone" *, realized in Bulgaria between 2009 and 2013, after funding was provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – USA.

The Foundation includes the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, the “13 Centuries Bulgaria” National Endowment Fund, the National Association of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Library and Information Association and the National Chitalishte Union.

The mission of the Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation is to support the integration of Bulgarian citizens in the global information society, to improve their quality of life and to encourage civic participation.

Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation works with a network of more than 1000 public libraries (regional, municipal and in community centres) covering 260 municipalities in the country, which in many cases are the only place for access to information resources and services for the population.  Foundation has signed partnership agreements with the libraries from the joint activities network in order to:

• Creating conditions for free and equal access to information, internet and electronic services for citizens;
• Promoting information literacy, lifelong learning, civic participation, local and community development;
• Supporting the social integration of disadvantaged groups by improving access to information.

The challenges of the 21st century are in all spheres – politics, economic, culture and education, social relations. We are now talking about changing economic models and a about new economy in which knowledge and creativity are the drivers of productivity and economic growth, and information, technology and training are at the centre of economic productivity and prosperity.

By identifying contemporary trends in the development of public libraries, the Foundation helps libraries to continue to be innovative and adaptable to the new requirements and to increase their social impact by looking for different funding opportunities and applying for national and international projects. 

Foundation Global Libraries - Bulgaria is a member of the European network All Digital and the Bulgarian Platform for International Development (BPID).