
Maria Stoyanova
Analyst
Law Program
Education:
PhD candidate, European Political Science, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
LLM International and European Law , Tilburg University
BA International Relations, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
Biography
Maria Stoyanova specializes in civil society development, fundamental rights, justice, and countering social polarization and radicalization She has extensive experience in academic, policy, and legal research and analysis. Since joining CSD in late 2020, Maria has contributed to the assessment of Europe’s civic space development and the evaluation of the EU Directive on combatting terrorism, conducted studies on the role of media in criminal justice, enhancing media freedom, and investigating malign activities in the digital environment, such as online hatred.
Maria actively contributes to the management of the Bulgarian Diversity Charter, promoting inclusive and equal workplaces and responsible business practices among a growing network of over 90 private companies and public organizations in Bulgaria.
Maria is well experienced in the full cycle of project management, including fundraising, preparing project proposals, building transnational partnerships, empirical research, data analysis, fieldwork, and training development and delivery. She has worked on projects funded by the European Union’s JUSTICE, CERV, Horizon 2020, and ISFP programmes, as well as studies commissioned by the European Parliament, the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, among others.
She has also contributed to studies as a consultant in environmental and climate change law led by the British Institute of International and Constitutional Law. Her background includes an internship at the Diplomatic Institute of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and certification in European Diplomacy at the European Academy of Diplomacy.
Maria is currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at Sofia University, exploring the evolution of the European Union’s identity in its foreign policy and external actions.