Institute for the Bulgarian Diaspora and Cultural Heritage Abroad (IBDCHA)

The Institute for the Bulgarian Diaspora and Cultural Heritage Abroad (IBDCHA) is a new research unit of the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), established with the aim of uniting scientific, cultural, and educational efforts in the research, preservation, and popularization of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Bulgarians around the world. It was created in line with ULSIT's mission to develop interdisciplinary scientific fields focused on national memory, cultural identity, and ties with Bulgarian communities abroad.

The Institute has the status of a primary research unit and fulfills a key function within the ULSIT system: to be a center for the collection, study, and analysis of documentary, archival, and ethnocultural evidence reflecting the life, activities, and spiritual endeavors of the Bulgarian diaspora. It brings together researchers, lecturers, experts, and PhD students from ULSIT, as well as from other scientific and cultural institutions in Bulgaria and abroad, thereby creating a sustainable scientific and expert network.

The core mission of the Institute is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the Bulgarian diaspora—both historical and contemporary—to explore the mechanisms for preserving national identity, and the ways in which Bulgarian communities maintain their connection with the homeland. In this context, the IBDCHA also develops projects related to cultural diplomacy and international cooperation, actively assisting in the popularization of Bulgarian culture, language, and traditions to the world.

Among its leading areas of activity are:

• Conducting scientific and applied-scientific research on the history, culture, education, and public life of Bulgarians abroad;
• Collecting, digitizing, and systematizing documents, archival materials, and oral testimonies;
• Consulting and expert activities on issues related to Bulgarian communities and cultural heritage outside the country;
• Collaboration with state institutions, universities, scientific organizations, and non-governmental structures of Bulgarians abroad;
• Implementing initiatives and programs in the field of cultural diplomacy;
• Organizing conferences, discussions, exhibitions, scientific forums, and training workshops.

The Institute develops active educational activities through supplementary training for students, master's students, specialists, and PhD students on topics related to the history, culture, and identity of the Bulgarian diaspora. A special emphasis is placed on the inclusion of young researchers and PhD students from Bulgarian communities abroad, as well as on the development of qualification courses and training programs aimed at their academic and cultural integration into the national scientific space.

An important part of the IBDCHA's work is the creation of a database and digital archive for Bulgarians worldwide, which will unite documentary and visual materials, testimonies, and scientific publications accessible to researchers, students, and public organizations. Through these resources, the Institute strives to create a sustainable informational and research infrastructure that supports both scientific research and the state's cultural policy regarding Bulgarians abroad.

In its work, the Institute combines a scientific approach with the practical application of results—through consulting activities, participation in strategic programs, and the development of policies aimed at preserving and developing Bulgarian cultural identity abroad. It is open to partnerships with universities, research centers, cultural institutions, Bulgarian associations, and media abroad, as well as to participation in national and international projects and consortia with similar focus areas.

The management of the Institute is carried out by a Director, Deputy Director, and Scientific Secretary, supported by a team of experts and temporary heads of thematic areas. All activities are realized in accordance with the academic policy and strategic goals of ULSIT and in the spirit of European educational and scientific values.

Created in the name of knowledge, memory, and the national connection between Bulgaria and Bulgarians around the world, the Institute for the Bulgarian Diaspora and Cultural Heritage Abroad is establishing itself as a contemporary hub for scientific research, cultural diplomacy, and inter-institutional cooperation. It is a bridge between the past and the present, between the Homeland and its spiritual communities abroad—a space where the living memory of the Bulgarian spirit is preserved and transmitted.