- Country of residence/work
- Bulgaria
- Geographical scope
- Bulgaria
- Denmark
- Estonia
- European Union
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Moldova
- Russia
- Ukraine
- United States
- Level of education focus
- Adult education
- Higher education
- Non-formal and informal learning
- Thematic areas covered
- Educational attainment and participation in education
- International mobility
- Lifelong learning
- Quality and inclusive education for all
- Teachers and trainers
- Whole-school and whole-system approaches and partnerships in education
- Methodological expertise
- Qualitative methods
- Stakeholder consultations
- Organisation
- New Bulgarian University
Contact
Dr. Galina Markova is a leading Bulgarian expert in child welfare reform, social work education, and clinical interagency practice. She is the Director of the Know-How Centre for Alternative Care for Children (New Bulgarian University) and a long-time lecturer in the university. Holding a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work from Smith College (USA), her career spans over three decades of academic, clinical, and policy work aimed at deinstitutionalization and promoting family- and community-based care for children. Dr. Markova has served as a national and international consultant for UNICEF, the European Commission, and multiple ministries in Bulgaria. Her research portfolio includes over 30 projects focusing on early childhood development, parental activism, mental health, child protection, and social inclusion. She has authored books, peer-reviewed articles, and methodological guidelines, and has presented her work at conferences across Europe and the U.S. Dr. Markova has developed and led training programs for caring professionals, emphasizing strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive practices. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping Bulgaria's alternative care landscape, particularly through evidence-based advocacy and cross-sectoral collaboration.