A total of 99 teachers from all over the country are supported in the second edition of the program to work to build knowledge and skills for a healthy lifestyle among over 2000 students from 1. up to 4. grade.
The program builds on the results of its first edition by bringing together teachers from the previous edition and new participants, with the aim of expanding the scope and achieving a sustainable impact in the school environment.
Support and resources for teachers
Teachers who participate in the program for the first time receive training materials on topics related to the healthy lifestyle of children, participation in online training with sessions with a psychologist and a pediatrician, as well as methodological guidelines for working with parents and organizing community events. They also receive financial support to cover the activities of the programme.
Teachers who participated in the first edition build on their work with new complementary materials, participation in online meetings for the exchange of experience, guidelines for organizing community initiatives and financial support to support their work on the programme.
Trainings and exchange of experience
On January 28 and 29, 2026, the first trainings for supported teachers were held. The new participants got acquainted with the methodological guidance, and all teachers received expert guidance from a pediatrician related to the health and development of children, as well as first aid.
During the trainings, teachers from the first edition shared good practices and feedback on the implementation of the program in the classroom.
“The program is extremely useful because it supports the development of healthy habits in children as early as primary school age. It combines physical, emotional, and social health through interactive activities, projects, and discussions. The program engages not only students but also families, making it a sustainable model for health education. For us as teachers, it is a valuable tool that supports preventive work at school and motivates students in an interesting and practical way.
We also started drinking tea in jugs, drinking water in “healthy” bottles. We often comment on the materials around us, the food and even the clothes. We go on excursions almost every month,” says Mrs. Mihaela Pashova – a teacher from the first edition of the program.
Other participants from the first edition of the program also shared practices that began last year and continue to this day:
“My students and I have kept the tradition of drinking water “together” during class,” says Mrs. Şenay Redzheb.
“My students were in second grade when we started. Already 22 children have food boxes,” says Mrs. Daniela Marasheva.
“In 119 Secondary School we have a “fruit of the day”. We choose a fruit to carry and have in the classroom every day, and we eat it together. All children and I have reusable bottles,” says Mrs. Ivelina Temelkova.
“For the second year in a row, I am part of the project. I am motivated by the overall approach to health, because when we talk about health with young children, most often the focus is on healthy eating. And health is not limited to this – mental health is also important, as well as healthy relationships between children. My parents fully supported me, and the children joined with great interest. We introduced a month without chips, made a blackboard, and glued it to the classroom. What started as a month continues to this day.”, says Mrs. Irena Mickovska
In response to alarming trends
According to data from national and international studies, the health of children in Bulgaria remains a serious challenge – with high levels of overweight, low physical activity, unbalanced nutrition and increasing emotional difficulties. In this context, the PHOENIX for the Next Generation of Healthier Bulgarians program offers a long-term and systematic approach that puts teachers at the center of prevention and change.
The program is implemented by the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF) with the support of PHOENIX in Bulgaria and in partnership with the Parents Association.
The first edition of the program in the 2024/2025 school year covered 116 teachers from 66 schools in 42 settlements across the country. As a result, nearly 2400 students from 1. up to 4. grade built valuable knowledge and skills for a healthy lifestyle.
See the stories of some of the supported teachers in the first edition here.