Companies and organizations that contribute to the development of diversity, equality, and inclusion were honored.

Over 400 inspiring leaders from Bulgaria and around the world gathered at the Global Forum of Women Leaders 2025, organized by the Council of Women in Business (CWBB) on November 13, 2025. The largest event in the region focusing on women’s leadership turned the Grand Hotel Millennium in Sofia into a platform for new ideas and visionary thinking, united by the rapid economic, geopolitical, and technological change taking place at the global level.

The forum was opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rosen Zhelyazkov. He emphasized that women participate steadily in the country’s economy and have a huge impact on it. “Over 60% of university graduates in Bulgaria are women, and nearly 30% of those employed in the ICT sector are also female – this puts us in third place in the European Union and is a strong economic argument,” Zhelyazkov noted. According to him, women manage with a greater focus on sustainable investments, ethical decisions, and the pursuit of cooperation. “When women participate in management, not only the content changes, but also the tone—more consensus, less confrontation, and more long-term vision.”

The Chair of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Bankers Association and CEO of UniCredit Bulbank, Tsvetanka Mincheva, welcomed the participants in the forum and noted that: “The change we are going through is multifaceted and not always fully visible—it is happening simultaneously in many dimensions. We live in a world of technological explosion, geopolitical dynamics, and social transformations, where value is born from adaptability and vision. This is not just evolution, but a revolution in speed. In this hyper-accelerated world, true leadership sets the direction, and women are the ones who know when to accelerate and when to turn. Because today we are not just talking about the future – we are creating it.”

The speakers at the event—visionaries and leaders from the US, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Finland, the Netherlands, the UAE, Serbia, and Bulgaria—focused on the role of women as catalysts for innovation, sustainable development, and growth, sharing successful strategies and new visions in a world of dynamic economic and technological change. Another highlight of the Forum was the participation of Bulgarian AI influencer Ahinoa.

During the forum, participants signed a “pledge” for united female leadership—a symbol of their shared responsibility to lead with courage, compassion, and sustainability. With their signatures, they confirmed their determination to build a world of peace, equality, and progress.

The Annual Awards of the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria 2025 were also presented during the forum. In partnership with the European Investment Bank, for the fourth consecutive year, the CWBB provided a platform for organizations that create fairer conditions in business and society. In 2025, a record 64 nominations were received.

The projects were evaluated by a jury consisting of: Teodor Radonov (EIB), Lidia Shuleva (Business Intelligence), Krasimira Hadzhiska (Nova Broadcasting Group), Zornitsa Rusinova (ISS), Venelina Gocheva (24 Hours), and Iliana Nikolova (FRGI).

First place in the category “Inspiring Initiative for Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion in the Workplace” went to Lidl Bulgaria. Second place was shared by FANTASTICO GROUP and Paysafe. In the category “Inspiring Civil Society Initiative – NGOs Contributing to Social Inclusion,” three equal awards were presented to: Rise Bulgaria Foundation, Kalinki Foundation for Children with Thalassemia, and Trust for Social Alternative Foundation.

The award in the category “Inspiring initiative for the integration of young people and the realization of their potential in Bulgaria” went to HP Inc. Bulgaria (1st place). Awards were also presented to the GATE Institute (2nd place) and Holding KCM 2000 (3rd place). The winner in the category “Inspiring Communication Campaign for Promoting Initiatives for Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion” is Yettel Bulgaria. Second place went to the For Our Children Foundation together with The Smarts, and third place went to Advanced Management Consulting.

The Special Distinction Award of the Bulgarian Association of Software Developers was presented to SAP Labs Bulgaria.

“The European Investment Bank, as the bank of the European Union, supports the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion because we value their power to enrich our working and social environment and contribute to results and improvements. Promoting these principles in organisations and companies, as well as among our partners, is essential to our success and development. We greatly appreciate our partnership with the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria and their contribution to promoting so many effective initiatives,” said Reneta Dimitrova, Head of Department at the European Investment Bank and leader of ConnectedWoMen.

The Global Forum of Women Leaders 2025 was made possible with the support of platinum sponsors: America for Bulgaria Foundation, DPM Metals, ENERGY MT, Minstroy, EVN, AstraZeneca, HPE, and Sumup; gold sponsors: Siemens, Prestige 96, A1, Progress Software, Fantastico Group, MSD, TELUS Digital, Audi, and Volkswagen; and silver sponsors: Mastercard, Schönherr, IBM, NAOS, and Holding KCM 2000. Partners of the event include arte.doc, Easy Pay, EPAY GO, BG Content, and Ahinora, with The SMARTS GROUP as creative partner.