Kamelia Dimitrova

Kamelia Dimitrova is a founder and executive director of Dignita foundation, she has 19 years of experience in the non-governmental and public sectors, specializing in combating human trafficking, promoting the social inclusion of vulnerable groups, and preventing gender-based violence.

Between 2015 and 2020, she served as Secretary of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (NCCTHB). During this period, she initiated significant amendments to the Law on Combating Human Trafficking, aligning Bulgarian legislation with the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, particularly in the area of victim protection.

She led the development of the National Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting Victims (2017-2021), which provided a strategic framework for action in this field. Under her leadership, five specialized services for victims of trafficking were established and fully funded by the state budget. In her capacity as Secretary of NCCTHB, Kamelia represented Bulgaria internationally, including in the Informal Network of National Rapporteurs and Equivalent Mechanisms under the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. In 2018, during Bulgaria’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, she co-chaired the meeting of the European Platform against Trafficking in Human Beings alongside the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator.

From 2008 to 2015, as part of the team at the Center for the Study of Democracy, she managed numerous international projects and studies on combating human trafficking and the social inclusion of vulnerable groups. Additionally, she was an active member of the European NGO Platform against Trafficking in Human Beings, coordinated by the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator.

Earlier in her career, she served as Program Director for Roma Initiatives at the Open Society Foundation (2007–2008). As part of the team at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bulgaria (2004–2006), she coordinated activities aimed at preventing trafficking and supporting victims. In the early stages of her professional journey, she led communications at the Bulgarian International Business Association as Director of Media and Communications (2003–2004).

Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in Democratization and Human Rights from the universities of Sarajevo and Bologna. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree with dual majors in Journalism and Mass Communications and Southeast European Studies from the American University in Bulgaria.