Refugees International Women Empowerment Foundation
Budget
Not declared
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
5
0.8 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
Refugees International Women Empowerment (R.I.W.E.) is Bulgaria etablished refugee-led organisation in Bulgaria dedicated to advancing the rights, protection, and empowerment of displaced women, children, and families—particularly Ukrainian refugees. RIWE works at the intersection of refugee rights, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and anti-trafficking (THB), addressing critical gaps in Bulgaria’s current protection landscape. Our mission is to create safe, informed, and resilient refugee communities through evidence-based advocacy, peer-to-peer support, research, capacity-building, and cross-sector partnerships. RIWE amplifies refugee voices in national and European policy discussions, builds bridges between institutions and affected communities, and strengthens frontline actors’ capacity to identify and respond to exploitation risks. RIWE is committed to shaping sustainable, community-driven solutions that protect refugees today and contribute to long-term structural change
EU Legislative Interests
RIWE focuses on EU policies and legislative frameworks related to refugee protection, prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) and trafficking in human beings (THB), with a specific emphasis on vulnerable women and children displaced from Ukraine. The organisation follows and contributes to: EU Anti-Trafficking Directive (2011/36/EU) and its recast – implementation gaps, victim-centred approaches, early identification, cross-border cooperation. EU Gender Equality Strategy & EU Strategy on Combatting GBV – protection, access to services, and rights of refugee and migrant women. Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) and post-2025/2027 policy developments – rights, residence, integration, social protection for Ukrainians in the EU. EU Common European Asylum System (CEAS) reforms – reception conditions, procedural safeguards, vulnerability assessment. Child Rights Strategy & safeguards for unaccompanied/separated minors – protection from exploitation, access to services. EU Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion (2021–2027) – labour market integration, social inclusion, access to education for refugee families. EU platforms on victims’ rights, anti-trafficking, GBV, and civil society participation. RIWE aims to raise evidence-based concerns from the refugee community in Bulgaria, highlight systemic gaps, and advocate for better implementation of EU standards at national and European levels.
Communication Activities
RIWE conducts awareness, research and advocacy activities connected to EU priorities on refugee protection, GBV prevention and anti-trafficking. These include: Community-based research (2024–2025): a large peer-to-peer survey among Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria (454 respondents) on risks of GBV, labour exploitation and trafficking, with findings shared with Bulgarian stakeholders, civil society and international partners in line with EU Anti-Trafficking and Gender Equality policies. Publications and briefings: preparation of analytical notes and reports highlighting implementation gaps related to the Temporary Protection Directive, GBV response, and identification of trafficking risks for women and children. Events and roundtables: organisation of a Ukraine–Bulgaria Anti-Trafficking Roundtable bringing together NGOs, experts and institutional partners to discuss alignment with the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive and EU child protection standards. Advocacy and stakeholder engagement: participation in consultations, thematic discussions and civil society exchanges related to EU policies on asylum, integration, victims’ rights and combatting GBV and THB. Awareness-raising activities: community outreach, online information campaigns for refugee women and families on rights, safety, EU protection mechanisms and available support services. These activities aim to strengthen evidence-based advocacy at national and EU level, improve policy implementation, and elevate refugee-led perspectives within EU policy processes.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
RIWE is a newly established refugee-led organisation actively building its network at national and European levels. Current membership: United Against Inhumanity (UAI) – RIWE is a member of this global civil society movement advocating for humane refugee and asylum policies. Planned or pending memberships: RIWE intends to join several relevant European and international networks that align with its mandate on refugee protection, GBV prevention and anti-trafficking, including: ENoMW – European Network of Migrant Women VAWE – Voices of Agency, Women and Empowerment CATW – Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Bulgarian Women’s Lobby (BWL) R-SEAT – Refugee-Led Steering Group for Representation at ExCom / Global Advocacy Space Other thematic coalitions working on asylum, gender equality, victims’ rights and anti-trafficking. Partnerships and collaborations: Although not formal memberships, RIWE closely collaborates with: National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (NCCTHB) – Bulgaria New Women Connectors (EU-level activities) RIWE is progressively expanding its membership and partnerships as it develops organisational capacity and strengthens its role within the EU civil society landscape.
Organisation Members
Not available yet
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.