Real change happens where a clear purpose, personal example, and persistent work come together. When these elements are combined with unwavering enthusiasm and a visionary spirit, the results become an inspiration that leaves its mark for generations to come. This is exactly what the 16th edition of the national competition “The Greenest Companies in Bulgaria” demonstrated. We are proud to share that Luci Dyakovska and Desislava Ivanova were also honored at this prestigious forum. The two ladies, founders of the “I Am Kaylaka” foundation, received the honorary “Green Person” award for 2026.
“I Am Kaylaka” has long surpassed the standard definition of a non-governmental organization or foundation. It is synonymous with a social cause and a promise that we will protect, build, and leave behind a greener and more beautiful tomorrow. The foundation began its work in 2020 with the goal of restoring and revitalizing a significant part of the park, which over recent decades had become an overgrown and neglected area. With every passing year, it inspires more and more people to become active participants in the transformation of Kaylaka Park in Pleven.
Behind the clean air and the beautiful, welcoming pathways along which hundreds of Pleven residents and visitors stroll today lie years of dedicated work. The results to date are more than inspiring:
As part of a large-scale spring planting initiative, in the past month alone Kaylaka Park was enriched with over 300 new plants — all of them a personal gift to mark Ms. Dyakovska’s 50th birthday from her grandmother, Grandma Mimi.
“Nature is not an inheritance from our ancestors — it is a loan from our children.” This maxim perfectly captures the motivation that has driven the foundation’s team forward for so many years.
The annual “Greenest Companies in Bulgaria” competition traditionally shines a spotlight on large and medium-sized businesses, recognizing companies that implement ecological innovations and sustainable business models. The special “Green Person” category turns the spotlight toward individuals who succeed in transforming their ideas into a shared public cause — which is precisely what makes this award so meaningful.
Desislava Ivanova and Lucy Dyakovska received the distinction at the official ceremony in Sofia on May 14th. The award, however, is not theirs alone — it belongs to everyone who supports the foundation’s cause. It is a collective recognition of all the volunteers who give their time, the donors who support the foundation’s initiatives, and the citizens of Pleven who regard the park as their own home and care for it with ever greater dedication.
Awards are a wonderful occasion for celebration, but for people like Luci and Desislava they are above all a responsibility. The foundation has new and even more ambitious goals ahead of it. Because the true success of “I Am Kaylaka” is not measured in trophies and certificates, but in the greening trees, the clean pathways, and the smiles of the people who find their favorite corner of rest within the park.
