KNOW AND CAN ASSOCIATION is a non-governmental organization, founded in 2007 in Sofia, Bulgaria. It works on national and European projects, career counseling, personal and professional development, soft skills trainings, programs, courses and activities in the sphere of non-formal and informal education and trainings. The Association is also a member of IVETA - International Vocational Education and Training Association. The network includes vocational skills training organizations, business and industrial firms, and other individuals and groups interested or involved in vocational education and training worldwide. IVETA is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of high-quality vocational education and training throughout the world. The Association is a member of a European NGO group - L.E.M.O.N. - Learning Mobility Network which is a network of 13 European NGOs, from 12 different countries, working together to share and create high-quality educational projects that enable young people to live and work across Europe. The Association works with a licensed Center for Career Guidance and Information (Licence number 201614045). The two organizations have jointly developed own online bilingual career consulting platform for both youth and adults. The Association is accredited as European Voluntary Service Center. The main goals of the Association are: to elaborate and apply specialized programs aiming to develop social and civil skills of children, youths and adults; to apply modern methods and technologies for development of non-formal education; to train specialists in the sphere of non-formal education; to stimulate and guarantee participation of people in national and international programs and projects. Know and Can Association performs a range of non-formal courses and activities connected to healthy lifestyle, improving vulnerable groups’ lives as well as social, civic and soft skills for youths and adults and professional skills for trainers and educators. The members of the Know and Can team are specialists in the fields of sports, youth, psychology, sociology, pedagogy, philosophy, journalism, economics, finances and budgeting, law of the European Union, etc. The Association works also with independent consultants and experts with rich experience in these fields. The main activities of Know and Can Association are: elaboration and management of own projects; participation in national and international projects and programmes; organizing and cooperation in implementing regional, local, national and international events of educational character; organizing permanently held seminars, workshops, discussions and other events for exchange of ideas and good practices for popularization of non-formal education; making contacts and cooperation with state bodies and non-governmental organizations having attitude to education; organizing educational courses for specialists working in the sphere of non-formal education; cultural and educational tourism. The Association has interests in education (formal, non-formal, informal), sport, sporty activities, healthy lifestyle, improvement of lives of disadvantaged groups, youth, tourism, vocational guidance and career counselling, citizenship, human and civil rights, soft skills, intellectual development, functional illiteracy combat, networking.
RUMYANA SHALAMANOVA
She is the Chairwoman of the Association and a member of the Managers' Board since the foundation of the organisation in 2007. She is a trainer in non-formal education in the sphere of intellectual developing programs for children, youths and adults. Rumyana has two Master Degrees - one in Chemical engineering and one in teaching English as a foreign language. She is a certified trainer in debating, creative thinking and Forum Theater. She has affluent practice in working out, arranging, coordinating and holding seminars and events in the field of formal, informal and non-formal education. Rumyana has rich experience in developing and implementing national and international projects in various fields. She is responsible and creative, has good
managing and communicational skills and ability to work with people. Rumyana speaks fluently English and Russian language. She has attended numerous trainings and workshops at national and international level. She has participated as a speaker in international educational events.
NATALIYA SHALAMANOVA
Nataliya Shalamanova is an Expert programs and projects. She graduated in European studies from Sofia University in 2012. She speaks English and Spanish. She specialized in Economics and European law. In 2014 she acquired Master degree in European law from Sofia University. She is responsible for the implementation of national and international projects. She organises and conducts different workshops, business meetings, campaigns and other events. She is also occupied with project administration, arrangement of project documentation, project financial reporting. She has experience in working with children and youth – organizing and leading trainings and workshops. Nataliya has participated in many national and international trainings
and workshops in the sphere of non-formal education; development of personal and professional skills.
MAYA TSVETANOVA
Maya Tsvetanova is a Project coordinator and program secretary of the Association. She is a Bachelor in Philosophy and Master in Public Relations (graduated from Sofia University). She is a trainer in non-formal education - programmes related to philosophy; logics; psychology; ethics; social behavior; development of communicational and social skills and competences. Maya has excellent organisational and management skills.
Her main responsibility is the development of project proposals, as well as technical reporting. Maya has taken part in more than 15 national and international projects in the field of youth, entrepreneurship, ecology, active citizenship, entrepreneurship, etc. This has given her useful experience in working with young people, implementation and coordination of projetcs. She also has experience as a trainer: Maya has lead several trainings connected to communication and leadership skills.
NIKOLAY TODOROV
Nikolay Todorov is an external financial manager of the company. He has a Master degree in IT and a diploma for an actuary. He has huge experience in developing business plans for project funding for business companies and NGOs and preparing financial reports and budgets. He is in charge of all the economic and financial issues of RUNI Center. He has experience in working out and implementing professional educational modules in the sphere of finance and economics. Nikolay has big experience in resolution management, he is a team worker, excellent trainer, consultant and coordinator. He is responsible for the communication with corporative partners and companies on behalf of the company. He speaks Russian and English language.
LORA YONCHEVA
Lora Yoncheva is an external marketing and advertising specialist as well as project coordinator. She graduated from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”- Bulgaria in 2014 as a bachelor in Sociology. During her bachelor’s degree, she studied subjects connected with different social sciences and is experienced in qualitative and quantitative research and analysis.
She is an instructor in aerobics and a sport aerobics judge in Aerobic Union Bulgaria which is directly connected with FIG. She has 9 years of experience as a mass aerobics instrucotor, 5 years of experience in republican competitions in aerobics and 2 years experience as a sport aerobics judge. She has worked on projects connected with healthy lifestyle, sport and improvement of people’s lives.
At the moment Lora is doing her Master degree in Journalism and Media at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” which is directly connected with the mass communication field.
She did internships and participated in student practices and seminars during which she acquired useful knowledge and skills in the field of marketing, advertising and communication.
Lora has useful knowledge and skills in activities connected project coordination and implementation. She has also taken part in projects and trainings under Erasmus+ Programme both as a participant and as a trainer.
She is experienced in leading trainings and in working with young people. Lora is fluent in English.
IVO DIMITROV
Ivo Dimitrov has a Master degree in International Economic Relations from University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria. He also has a Master degree in Physics in St. Petersburg Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics in Russia. Ivo knows English, Russian, Serbian and Macedonian. He is experienced in working on different international projects and working in multicultural environment. He has good managing and social skills.
