Bulgaria has played an active role in supporting the creation and development of centers for children and adults with autism in North Macedonia, according to information shared to BNR by the Bulgarian Embassy in Belgrade.
Earlier this month, Bulgaria's ambassador to Serbia, Angel Angelov, together with his wife, welcomed Vesna Stojanovska in Belgrade during her visit for an international conference focused on training opportunities and employment for adults living with autism.
More than ten years ago, Vesna Stojanovska and her husband Zlatko created the centre ?Vo mojot svet? (?In My World?) in Skopje after a personal family experience changed their lives. Their motivation came after their nephew was diagnosed with autism, which pushed them to search for ways to provide support not only for him, but for many other families facing the same challenge.
At the beginning of the project, they turned to the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje for assistance and received financial support that helped launch the initiative.
Since then, the organization has grown significantly. In addition to the original center in Skopje, a second center has already been opened in Ohrid, expanding access to therapy and support services for more families across the country.
There are also plans for a thirdcenter in Tetovo, although its opening has been delayed because of administrative procedures that still need to be completed.
The centers mainly work with children between the ages of two and eight, a period considered crucial for development and early intervention. According to the organizers, the results have been very encouraging, with visible progress in the children's development and daily functioning.
At the same time, work is advancing on the first dedicatedcenter for adults with autism in Skopje, which is expected to begin full operations soon. The goal is to provide long-term support, professional training and better opportunities for independent living and employment.
Bulgaria has continued to assist both the opening and the ongoing functioning of these centers, not only through initial funding but also through social support packages aimed at helping their daily work.
The financing has been provided through Bulgaria's ?Development Assistance?program, which supports humanitarian and social projects in countries outside the European Union.
This long-term involvement reflects Sofia's broader effort to support socially important initiatives in the region and strengthen ties with neighboring countries through practical cooperation.
Commenting on the partnership, Ambassador Angelov and his wife emphasized the human side of such efforts.
?For friendship and goodwill, there are no borders or time limits,? they said.
Their message underlined that support for vulnerable communities can also serve as a bridge between people and countries, going beyond diplomacy and formal institutions.
Source:BNR
