A photo from 2016 in the city of Varna featuring part of the team from the “I Believe and Help” Association and their supporters.
A story of goodness — how a handful of plastic caps turned into donations worth millions of leva and tens of thousands of saved lives…
A story of a small neighborhood charitable campaign from the city of Varna that became a symbol for millions of people across Bulgaria and around the world — a symbol of true unity and belief in kindness.
A story of plastic caps, babies, coins, incubators, donations, pediatric ambulances, cause-branded products, mobile blood donation units — and something more…
Now, in brief…
The “I Believe and Help” Charitable Campaign was founded in 2015 in Varna, Bulgaria, by Vladislav Nikolov and Antonia Antonova. It is the first and longest-running campaign in Bulgaria focused on collecting plastic bottle caps for recycling in support of premature babies.
From the very beginning, alongside Vladislav Nikolov and Antonia Antonova were Georgi Raynov, Raya Nikolova, Pavlina Simeonova, Snezhana Danova, and Dimitar Karov — together, they officially founded the “I Believe and Help” Association. A key team member throughout the years has also been Andrey Donchev, who created the campaign’s first logo and has designed a large part of the campaign’s promotional posters, video materials, informational brochures, leaflets, online presence, and more.
We do not pay ourselves salaries, bonuses, or labor costs. Everything we do is entirely voluntary! The same goes for our amazing volunteers!
The “I Believe and Help” Association is a non-profit organization operating for public benefit, and since the beginning of the Campaign, not a single BGN from all collected funds and donations has been spent on salaries, labor expenses, office supplies, consumables, fuel, office rent, or any other administrative costs, because our first rule is:
“All collected funds are used for donations — to benefit and support others. They need us!”
Since its founding, the “I Believe and Help” Association has been supported entirely on a voluntary basis, without any form of payment, by the professional attorneys and their associates at the law firm “Ivanov & Partners” in Varna, as well as by the expert team at the accounting firm “ASET,” also in Varna — for which we express our heartfelt gratitude!
Over the years, the campaign has grown tremendously. Our first donation, made in 2016, was valued at BGN 1,800. By the end of 2024, we achieved remarkable success and made real donations worth over BGN 800,000 in support of thousands of babies, children, and adults.
“It has been nearly 10 years since the creation of the “I Believe and Help” Charitable Campaign, and yet we are still at the beginning of our dreams, goals, and ambitions to help the children of Bulgaria… So let it be!”
Vladislav Nikolov
We move forward united!
Why collect bottle caps?
The campaign has three main goals:
The Eco-heroes “CAPMAN” and “THE PRINCESS OF CAPS” – April 13, 2019, Varna
The first of its kind Recycling School “I Believe and Help” – April 13, 2019, Varna
The “I Believe and Help” Charitable Campaign began in 2015 in Varna, Bulgaria, as a small neighborhood initiative, initially collecting just a few dozen kilograms of plastic caps per week. Today, we have collected and sent for recycling nearly 341,500 kilograms of plastic bottle caps — the equivalent of more than 50 full truckloads (semi-trailers). The caps are sold for approximately BGN 0.50–0.70 per kilogram, and we achieve even greater impact thanks to tens of thousands of monetary donations made to our official bank account.
In parallel, we have organized and participated in over 30 large-scale charitable events, attended by hundreds of thousands of participants. Our success is reflected in the donation of more than 25 high-quality pieces of medical equipment, tools, and devices, including incubators, thoracic drainage aspiration systems, mobile resuscitation stations, neonatal vein viewers, patient monitors, infusion pumps, and many more.
In 2022, to reach even greater results, we launched the “I Believe and Help” cause-branded product project and initiated a series of major campaigns for collecting not only plastic caps but also coins and monetary donations, enabling us to give even more in just a few months.
A major milestone was the purchase and donation of a “I Believe and Help” specialized pediatric/neonatal ambulance – one of the most advanced in Bulgaria. In just a year and a half, it has already been involved in over 4,500 emergency cases helping those in need.
In October 2023, we also donated the first “I Believe and Help” specialized mobile blood donation unit in Bulgaria, supporting voluntary blood donation efforts in many towns, villages, and institutions.
We at the “I Believe and Help” Charitable Campaign are ordinary people with extraordinary dreams and goals, committed to the betterment of the society we live in. Each of us has a different profession and daily job to support our families. This Campaign is not our job – it’s our way of life.
“We are all born rich because of the kindness we carry in our hearts. The difference between us is that some people have yet to realize how rich they truly are.” - Vladislav Nikolov
We move forward united!
With respect, recognition, and gratitude,
Vladislav Nikolov - Founder and Chairman of “I Believe and Help” Association
Gallery
Team
Vladislav Nikolov
Vladislav Nikolov founded the “I Believe and Help” Charitable Campaign in 2015 in the city of Varna. Since the establishment of the “I Believe and Help” Association, he has served as its Chairman and main driving force behind the Campaign to this day. Like all other members of the Association, supporters, and volunteers, he receives no payment or financial compensation from the Association for his work and activities.
Antonia Antonova
Antonia Antonova is one of the co-founders of the “I Believe and Help” Association. Since its inception, she has received no payment or financial compensation from the Association for her involvement and contributions.
Vasil Goshev
Attorney Vasil Goshev has over 15 years of experience in the field and is a partner at the law firm “Ivanov & Partners.” He advises local and international clients, including real estate organizations, commercial enterprises, maritime businesses, and private individuals. His practice focuses on corporate and commercial law, maritime law, and dispute resolution.
All legal services and support provided to the “I Believe and Help” Association by him and his team and colleagues are entirely pro bono, with no payment or financial compensation received.
For more information and contact details: https://www.ivanov-partners.com/
Vanya Dobreva
Vanya Dobreva is the owner of the accounting firm “ASET” in Varna and has many years of experience in the field. She has supported the “I Believe and Help” Association since its official founding. Together with her colleagues, she provides all accounting services and consultations entirely pro bono, receiving no payment or financial compensation from the Association
For more information and contact details: https://www.accounting-bg.org/account_bg.htm
Diyana and Lenko Bakalovi
Diyana and Lenko Bakalovi are outstanding professionals in the field of graphic design and have been supporting the “I Believe and Help” Charitable Campaign for many years. One of their most significant contributions is the creation of our new, colorful, and striking logo at the beginning of 2022. Thanks to their confidence and dedication, they also developed the visual design for the “I Believe and Help” pediatric/neonatal ambulance and the first mobile blood donation unit of its kind in Bulgaria under the same name. All professional work they have created in support of the “I Believe and Help” Charitable Campaign has been provided entirely pro bono, with no financial compensation from the Association.
Светослав Георгев
Светослав Георгев който е предприемач и собственик на дигиталната агенция BG Content, с богат опит в областта на маркетинга, PR и дигитализацията. Той е създател на редица иновативни проекти с национално и международно признание, сред които изпъкват морската социална мрежа Seaglem.com и първият AI генериран инфлуенсър в България – Ахинора. Съдействието и подкрепата към сдружение "Аз Вярвам и Помагам", които осъществява със своя екип и колеги са напълно безплатни и безвъзмездни като не получават заплащане.