The Bulgarian Alternative Dispute Resolution Association - Plovdiv (the "Association") is an independent non-governmental organization carrying out public interest activities.

MISSION: Strengthen civil society in Bulgaria through affirmation of the democratic values, principles and methods for dialogue and understanding in public and private life via promotion, establishment and practice of alternative dispute resolution, mediation included.

AREAS OF ACTIVITY:
- Promotion, establishment and practice of mediation
- Establishment of court-referred mediation model
- Establishment of peer mediation in secondary schools
- Establishment of Ombudsmann institution in Bulgaria
- Protection of human rights of indigent people
- Training in mediation skills

The Association was founded in December 2001 and registered at the Plovdiv District Court on 11 February 2002 and at the Ministry of Justice in September 2002.

Founders are sixteen lawyers, trained and registered mediators.

Nine of the mediators have also completed trainer skills training.

The governing body of the Association is the Supervisory Board comprised of 7 members.

The Association is represented by the Chair of the Supervisory Board.

Being both lawyers and mediators, the Association's founders are aware of the advantages of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution technique and recognize that mediation is an efficient means to assist in judicial reform in Bulgaria. Furthermore, mediation offers a means for enhancing the protection of human rights and access to justice for local citizens.

From September 2004 till July 2006 the Association implemented the pilot project for court referred mediation together with the Regional court in Plovdiv and with the financial support of ABA CEELI and USAID. This was the first project ever in the country where judges were referring pending at the court cases to mediation.

During the second year of its implementation the project has multiplied covering the Regional courts in Asenovgrad, Stara Zagora, Vratza, Mezdra and Byala Slatina, and the District courts in Plovdiv and Vratza.

With the implementation of the pilot project, the Mediation Center and the Association were strengthened both institutional and professional. They have gained authority and trust among the public in Plovdiv and the country.

The Mediation center established itself as the leading one in the country. Nevertheless, the mediators have now substantial practical experience and more self-confidence.

Till December 2006 the Mediation Center at the BAADR has received 236 cases, carried out 128 mediations and had 97 agreements, which gives a 76 % success rate.

Part of the implementation of the project is also the training in mediation skills. BAADR has 9 trainers, who are providing first and second level training in mediation skills to attorneys and other professionals. In addition to this the Association organizes special training called "Mediation for judges". Its goal is to explain to judges the benefits of the mediation procedure and teach them how to refer cases to mediation. So far the trainers from BAADR with the assistance of APDI have provided training to over 180 attorneys and over 35 judges from Plovdiv, Asenovgrad and Stara Zagora.

Another main priority of BAADR is the work with indigent people. In cooperation with the Regional court in Plovdiv 7 members of the Association were trained in the sign language so they can communicate with deaf people.

Another priority of BAADR is working for establishment of peer mediation. The established model for resolving disputes in secondary schools through mediation was acknowledged by the Ministry of education and science and the Regional Inspectorate of education in Plovdiv as a main means for civic education with young people. Plovdiv Municipality included the work of the Association in the Municipality Program for violence prevention for the period 2004-2007.

BAADR has developed training programs for effective communication and dispute resolution for students, teachers and parents and specialized training program for mediators of school disputes.

The developed model for dispute resolution in secondary schools through mediation is successfully operating for two years in "Dragan Manchov" School in Plovdiv.