In the last 10 years I've been working with migrants and refugees living in Bulgaria which means I do have friends from all over the world. My colleagues and I co-founded a not-for-profit organization called Multi Kulti Collective which supports the integration of foreigners. We're very much using food as a tool to gather people together and are organizing culinary events, cooking classes, food media campaigns, etc. We're also working on more "serious" projects but you can read more about them on the website - http://multikulti.bg/

I also received some recognition in Bulgaria and Europe:

- Featured in the book "People who Change Bulgaria" by Daniel Penev, AMG Publishing, 2019;
- Changemaker 2019 (MOVE.BG, Sofia);
- Robert Bosch Education on Europe Alumni & grantee (2018-2019), Robert Bosch Foundation, Stuttgart;
- TANDEM Europe 2018 Alumni & grantee - MitOst, Germany and European Cultural Foundation, the Netherlands;
- Ashoka Emerging Innovators Alumni 2017;
- LEAD Academy Alumni 2017 (LEAD, Berlin);
- Idea Maker and grantee (2017) - European Cultural Foundation, the Netherlands;
- Women of the Year Finalist (2016), Grazia, Bulgaria;
- Community Leader (2015-2016) - awarded, ViabilityNet 2.0, Via Foundation, Czech Republic,
- Global Shaper (2014-2015) - awarded, World Economic Forum, Switzerland;
- 40 under 40 (2014) - awarded, Darik Radio, Bulgaria;
- Human of the Year Finalist (2014) - nominated, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee;
- Volunteer of the Year (2011) - awarded, Astika Foundation, Bulgaria.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've always been curious to try it but never had the chance. When I travel I always prefer to have a local to show me the real city.

Interests

• dining
• cooking
• vegetarian
• traveling
• communications
• volunteering
• reading books

Music, Movies, and Books

I LOVE reading - here's my Goodreads profile - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1638380-bistra-ivanova

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm good at vegetarian cooking!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love meeting new people and I am always up for a good chat! I would be grateful to explore the place through the eyes of the locals.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Bulgaria