Team
Team Brussels
Lyubov Burilkova
Lyubov Burilkova holds a Master’s degree in European Studies: EU Institutions and Public Policies from LUISS Guido Carli, Italy, as well as a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Democratisation from the Global Campus of Human Rights. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Sociology and Eastern European Studies from University College London, United Kingdom.
As part of the team of Member of the European Parliament Tsvetelina Penkova, she works on dossiers related to the Committee on Regional Development and the Delegation to the EU–Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee. Her work focuses on EU cohesion policy, regional development, and EU investment instruments, as well as programmes such as Horizon Europe and dossiers related to the Multiannual Financial Framework.
She also supports the team’s work on dossiers in the fields of research, innovation, and energy policy, contributing to efforts aimed at ensuring fair access and balanced participation of Bulgaria in EU funding programmes and financial instruments.
Kristian Grigorov
Kristian Grigorov holds a Master’s degree in European Law from Maastricht University, the Netherlands. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Law from Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
As part of Tsvetelina Penkova’s team, he is responsible for dossiers related to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT), the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), and the Delegation for Relations with Serbia.
His work focuses on ensuring the proper functioning of the Single Market and strengthening consumer rights and protection; digital technologies, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies; Brexit and the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union; as well as Serbia’s EU accession negotiations and relations with the European Union.
Tereza Stancheva
Teresa Stancheva holds a Master’s degree in Law from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and has extensive experience in the field of European policies and legislation, with a particular focus on the energy, climate, and transport sectors.
Her professional background includes experience in both the legislative and executive branches at the national level, as well as in the European Parliament. She has also held senior positions in the corporate sector, supporting organizations in navigating the EU regulatory framework. In this capacity, she has contributed to the assessment of legislative proposals, policy development, and stakeholder coordination.
As an adviser within the European Parliament team, she works on issues related to the activities of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). Her primary responsibilities include policy analysis and development in the areas of industrial decarbonisation, the energy transition, and the development of trans-European energy networks, as well as participation in the legislative process and interinstitutional negotiations.
Team Bulgaria
Georgi Goranov
Georgi Goranov holds a Master of Engineering degree from Vasil Levski National Military University, Veliko Tarnovo, and a Master’s degree in Law from the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Sofia. He serves as Chair of the trade union organisation affiliated with the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and acts as a coordinator between non-governmental organisations and civic initiative committees.
As part of Tsvetelina Penkova’s team, he is responsible for Communication Strategy and Information Security. He maintains communication and coordinates relations with institutions and organisations at the national, regional, and local levels, including non-governmental, trade union, and industry organisations.
He also provides expert and legal support regarding the alignment of national legislation with European Union law in the areas of consumer protection, economic, monetary and tax affairs, industry, energy, and regional development.
Nikola Mitov
Nikola Mitov holds a Master’s degree in National and International Security from New Bulgarian University (NBU), Sofia.
As part of Tsvetelina Penkova’s team, he is responsible for the Sofia Information Centre. He organises and maintains relations with organisations in the industrial and healthcare sectors, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as political, non-governmental, and charitable organisations.
He also provides expert and technical support on a range of topics, including the European Green Deal, Brexit, dual food quality standards, and issues concerning Bulgarian communities abroad.
Gabriela Nikolova holds a Master’s degree in Law from the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Sofia, and a Master’s degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Plovdiv.
As part of Tsvetelina Penkova’s team, she is responsible for preparing analyses related to the work of the Bulgarian Parliament and the European Parliament. She contributes to the drafting of opinions and decisions connected to the activities of the standing committees on which Tsvetelina Penkova serves as a member.
She also supports the Member of the European Parliament in the field of youth policy by developing and coordinating initiatives aimed at increasing youth participation and expanding development opportunities in line with European priorities. In addition, she monitors and analyses legislative developments affecting youth-related issues and formulates proposals and strategies to improve and adapt relevant policies to Bulgarian and European conditions and best practices.
Brayan Pavlov
Brayan Pavlov is a Law student at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. As part of Tsvetelina Penkova’s team, he supports the activities of the Sofia Information Centre. In this role, he prepares analyses, research, and technical background materials on topics including the European Union’s energy policy, the Multiannual Financial Framework, Cohesion Policy, the Recovery and Resilience Plan, as well as broader geopolitical issues.