Migrant advocacy for the international communities
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My migration advocacy work centers on transforming how international communities integrate and thrive in new countries through strategic community building and stakeholder engagement.
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I research systemic barriers facing migrants and create actionable resources that bridge the gap between individual struggles and collective advocacy.
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The Bulletin: Growing Belgium's international community​
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When I collaborated with The Bulletin between 2017 and 2022, Belgium's oldest English-language publication, I helped to transform it from a news source into the beating heart of Belgium's international community. Through strategic community development, we turned a traditional publication into an essential lifeline for expats and immigrants.
I developed a comprehensive approach focusing on community loyalty over viral growth, implementing data-driven content strategies, community events with partners like national banks, multinational companies and associations, and building genuine connections with Belgium's international residents.
We grew from 35,000 to 52,000+ Facebook followers organically while building Instagram from zero to 4,400+ engaged followers. More importantly, we increased returning website visitors by 50,000 in the first year and achieved 156,000+ additional users by 2020. Our newsletter became an industry standout with 38.1% open rates (vs 22.15% industry average).
Beyond numbers, we created a trusted resource that helped hundreds of thousands of internationals navigate Belgian life, from COVID regulations to cultural integration, establishing The Bulletin as the go-to platform for Belgium's diverse expat community.
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Open Bulgaria: From a Facebook group to national movement
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What started as a Facebook group for internationals in Sofia has evolved into Bulgaria's most comprehensive platform for foreign residents - a digital hometown serving nearly 70,000 active community members across the country.
Recognizing that Bulgaria's international community lacked a centralized resource for practical information and genuine connection, we set out to build more than just another expat website - we wanted to create a movement.
I led a diverse team of 30+ volunteers from around the world, establishing editorial processes from scratch and conducting community research to understand what people actually needed. We wrote 150+ articles addressing everything from healthcare navigation to language learning, while simultaneously building partnerships with 30+ organizations including government institutions, cultural centers, and local NGOs.
Our community expanded from 23,000 to nearly 70,000 members between 2020 and 2025. But the real success lies in our partnerships - from the National Opera and Ballet to Caritas Sofia, from the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce to grassroots NGOs working with refugees and students.
We transformed from Open Sofia to Open Bulgaria, reflecting our national reach and impact. During COVID-19, our platform became the most trusted source for reliable information. We strongly believe that when international communities are empowered to support each other, everyone benefits - both newcomers and society as a whole - and the success of Open Bulgaria is proof.
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Manifesto of Foreigner Entrepreneurs in Bulgaria
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Through the Mentorship and Ambassador Program with New Women Connectors, in collaboration with Multi Kulti Collective, I researched the experiences of foreign entrepreneurs in Bulgaria to understand their challenges and opportunities.
The project involved conducting focus groups with international business owners from diverse backgrounds and interviewing key stakeholders including BESCO, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, and legal experts.
Based on these insights, we created a manifesto articulating the collective voice and needs of foreign entrepreneurs, alongside a practical resource guide to help navigate Bulgaria's business ecosystem. The research revealed that while many migrants turn to entrepreneurship out of necessity due to employment barriers, Bulgaria offers significant untapped potential for international founders willing to navigate its administrative complexities.
This work aims to transform entrepreneurship from a path of necessity into one of genuine opportunity for Bulgaria's international community.
