Juliana Koleva

Having graduated in public administration, she is particularly interested in civil society issues, the development of the sector, malpractice and relations between NGOs and the authorities.

Some of her work has helped establish common interests between the non-governmental sector and government, and led to the adoption of legislation. For example, her reporting helped convince parliament to pass conflict of interest legislation back in 2009.

Her articles on how proposed new laws would allow for the improper protection of illegally-acquired antiques, saw parliament reject the proposed changes.

Koleva also worked on a civil and media campaign, along with other NGOs and media activists, to protest against attempts to change the law allowing Bulgaria’s special services to obtain uncontrolled access to citizens’ phone calls and internet use without first obtaining permission from the relevant court.

She took first prize in the 2011 fellowship for her investigation into the treatment of asylum seekers in Bulgaria. Koleva revealed that Sofia routinely locked up asylum seekers in detention centres, despite national and EU law banning the practice.

Koleva’s investigation throws doubt on Bulgaria’s ability to treat asylum seekers in accordance with international and national law once the country joins the EU’s passport control free Schengen zone. On joining Schengen, the number of migrants heading to Bulgaria is expected to dramatically increase.

She compared the numbers and treatment of migrants and refugees in Bulgaria to Romania, Greece and Belgium.