Expanding Digital Horizons in Bulgaria Thanks to the CVC Planet & People Grant

In today’s world, digital literacy is no longer optional — it is the foundation for education, employment, and participation in society. Recognizing this need, the Acronis Cyber Foundation Program has been working globally to provide IT skills training and cyber safety education to diverse social groups, from schoolchildren and women to migrants and seniors. Our goal is to open new opportunities, reduce digital inequality, and help people gain the knowledge and confidence they need for the future. 

To expand these efforts, Acronis has received a generous CVC Planet & People Grant. This support allowed us to extend our proven IT Skills Program to Bulgaria, building on successful models already implemented in Singapore and Switzerland. 

The program was delivered in partnership with Telerik Academy, a leading educational NGO. Their mission to make high-quality IT education affordable and engaging for everyone perfectly complements Acronis’ vision to create, spread, and protect knowledge globally. Through their expertise, the program combined project-based learning, self-assessments, and teacher feedback, ensuring measurable impact on both student skills and long-term educational outcomes. Thanks to their work and the generous grant from CVC, Acronis reached 430 schoolchildren during the past academic year. 

Of these, 270 students (10 cohorts) participated in year-long trainings in Sofia, Dobrich, and Ruse. Children from grades 3 to 11 engaged in hands-on courses in Game Development, Web Development, and Digital Sciences. For this, Telerik Academy partnered with local schools and community organizations where the classes were conducted.

One student from Ruse shared the personal impact: 

“What I like most about the training is that it develops a truly relevant and important modern skill—digital competence. Today's world is unthinkable without digitalization in all spheres of life. It is essential that each and every one of us is digitally literate and continuously improves our digital literacy if we want to be successful individuals.” – S. A., Game Development class, 2024/2025 

These programs are more than academic exercises—they spark creativity, build confidence, and nurture the next generation of innovators. 

In addition to classroom programs, 160 students were given access to buki.bg, a digital educational platform that makes modern learning accessible to both teachers and students. 

Buki.bg offers 15 extracurricular educational programs, with more currently in development. Each program spans between 32 and 54 hours and covers a wide range of topics, from coding and digital literacy to essential soft skills. Teachers are supported through ready-to-use lesson plans, practical exercises, and opportunities for professional development. The initiative also emphasizes inclusion, with 20% of participating schools located in rural areas, ensuring equitable access to digital education. By combining classroom learning with digital platforms, this hybrid approach promotes sustainability and expands reach, helping bridge the gap between urban and rural schools. 

Maria Kirilova, teacher of the Web Development class for grades 8–11 in Dobrich (2024/2025), emphasized: 

“The teacher's job is to open doors and to give knowledge. The form of teaching in the groups of the Telerik Academy School allows me to work with students who are motivated to learn. We do not force anyone. We don't give grades. This allows each student to progress beyond a predetermined level, to expand their knowledge and skills, and to develop to the best of their ability. The curriculum lets us present information in a fun way and move forward seamlessly. Students learn teamwork and develop projects.” 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to CVC for their generous support in creating better educational opportunities. With this grant, hundreds of children in Bulgaria have already gained access to modern skills. 

Together, we are empowering communities, reducing digital inequality, and shaping the workforce of tomorrow. We encourage more companies and individuals to support NGOs like Telerik Academy, which make modern education engaging and impactful by combining academic knowledge with practical expertise from industry partners.