Education

LL.B. in International and European Law, The Hague University

BA in Security and Defense, G.S. Rakovski Military Academy

Biography

Mariyan's research interests span political polarization, prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, organized crime activities and financial flows in criminal markets, as well as legislative anti-corruption reform and recovery of illicit assets. He is an expert in the application of qualitative and quantitative methodologies for data analysis, measurement and evaluation. Mariyan plays a key role in the development and delivery of professional training and capacity building for law enforcement, judicial, penitentiary and probation authorities, as well as civil society, stimulating interaction and promoting individual approaches to various social phenomena.

Since 2018, Mariyan has been part of the CSD Security Program, where he coordinates and participates in multiple projects funded by the H2020, ISF-P, JUST, CERV and DAPHNE programs. He has been selected as the national expert for several studies commissioned by the European Parliament and the Commission and contributed to the evaluation of a number of EU agencies and strategic policies between 2018 and 2022.

In his role as CSD Director of Communications, Mariyan is responsible for the strategic deployment of research and analysis, increasing the visibility of CSD's impact on policymaking in the Balkans and Europe.

Prior to joining the Centre, Mariyan worked as a consultant for leading companies in the field of EU cohesion policy, where he gained extensive experience in conceptualising and managing EU-funded projects. In 2011-2012, he served in the International Legal Cooperation Department at the Supreme Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria.