| Administrative History | Allocations: 1925-1930; see later annual reports for any subsequent allocations.
Bulgaria became independent of Turkey in 1908. In 1946, after World War II, the country became a People's Democracy. This status ended in 1990.
Bulgaria's earliest contacts with SCF were somewhat obscure. SCF sited Russian refugees in camps throughout Europe and some of these may have been in Bulgaria. Bulgaria also, through UISE, supported SCF work during the 1921-1923 Russian famine. By 1925 Bulgaria was having difficulties dealing with the large number of refugees in the country - some 14% of the population. In April 1925, SCF signed an agreement with the Bulgarian government to settle 50 refugee families on the land. The village Atolovo - named after SCF President, the Duke of Atholl - was inaugurated on 21 November 1926 by King Boris. SCF was pleased to observe that it quickly became self-supporting and indeed expanded. SCF also became involved in funding various UISE child welfare projects in Sofia. Following an earthquake in April 1928, SCF distributed relief but by the end of June 1929 was able to bring this and the other work to an end.
SCF returned to Bulgaria in 1996. SCF's programme focused on education reform, facilities for children with disabilities, and support for children and young people in institutional care. SCF provided relief for families during the economic crisis in 1997. |