What Animus Association Foundation does

Animus Association Foundation is a Bulgarian non-profit organization founded in 1994 in Sofia by women professionals in psychology, psychotherapy, and social work. It operates an integrated service platform for violence survivors, trafficking victims, and at-risk populations, anchored by the Centre for Rehabilitation, Counseling, Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, the Crisis Centre "St. Petka" shelter, and a Social Services Centre for Children and Families. The foundation has held public benefit organization status since 2001 and serves as Bulgaria's national coordinator of the La Strada International anti-trafficking programme across eight Central and Eastern European countries. It has also led multi-country EU-funded initiatives under the Daphne Programme, including the Listen! bullying prevention project spanning seven EU member states with 34 workshops, 16 schools, and 514 students aged 7-18.

The foundation's revenue model is grant-dependent: it receives funding from EU programmes (notably the Daphne Programme), Bulgarian government agencies (Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, State Agency for Child Protection, Sofia Municipality, Agency for Social Assistance), international partners (La Strada International, America for Bulgaria Foundation), corporate sponsors (VIVACOM), and individual donations through DMS campaigns. Direct services to violence survivors are provided free of charge, while professional training programmes generate fee-based revenue at undisclosed pricing. Its technology stack consists of a WordPress-based multilingual website, dedicated sub-portals for the Listen, Bezstrah, and NRM programmes, a 24/7 crisis helpline, and a third-party AI chatbot deployed at animus.umen.site for automated user guidance.

Distribution is direct-to-beneficiary through the Sofia physical centre, complemented by the helpline, chatbot, and EU-wide project outputs (handbooks, training manuals, policy recommendations). Strategic partnerships span La Strada International's eight-country network, Bulgarian government ministries and agencies, Bulgarian and European universities (Sofia University, New Bulgarian University, VUB, Tilburg), and child welfare NGOs (Barnardo's UK, Save the Children Romania, ICDI Netherlands). The foundation publishes annual reports continuously and conducts public awareness campaigns including Pink Shirt Day, DMS donation drives, and the "Voice of Children Behind Closed Doors" initiative.

Name

Animus Association Foundation

Legal name

Фондация "Асоциация Анимус" ("Animus Association" Foundation)

Website

https://animusassociation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Animus Association Foundation is a Bulgarian non-profit founded in 1994 that provides rehabilitation, counseling, psychotherapy, and crisis shelter services for violence survivors. It coordinates Bulgaria's La Strada anti-trafficking programme and delivers EU-funded bullying prevention and professional training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Violence Survivor Support and Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), Refugee, Migration & Displacement Support (BPAGABAH), Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Violence survivor services
• Human trafficking prevention
• Crisis intervention services
• School bullying prevention
• Psychotherapy and counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding (EU, International, Government): Animus Association Foundation is a non-profit organization funded primarily through grants and project funding from EU programmes (e.g., Daphne Programme), international organisations (La Strada International), national government agencies, and municipal allocations. The organisation publishes annual reports and maintains accounting transparency.
2. Donations: The organisation accepts donations from individuals and organisations through its donation programme and DMS (SMS) donation campaigns, as well as general philanthropy and fundraising initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Animus Association Foundation is a Bulgarian non-profit foundation that delivers integrated rehabilitation, counseling, psychotherapy and psychoanalysis services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. It operates a physical Centre for Rehabilitation in Sofia, including the Crisis Centre 'St. Petka' emergency shelter and a Complex of Social Services, and supplements in-person delivery with a 24/7 crisis hotline, a multilingual website and an AI chatbot. The foundation also coordinates the La Strada Bulgaria anti-trafficking programme and runs EU-funded projects such as the Listen anti-bullying programme across multiple European countries.

Product overview

Animus Association Foundation operates as a comprehensive social services organization offering a multi-layered portfolio of interconnected services. The core offering centers on the Centre for Rehabilitation, Counseling, Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis, which provides direct therapeutic services to victims of violence, including a dedicated Crisis Unit 'St. Petka' and Social Services Centre for Children and Families. The organization runs a Training Center offering post-graduate and professional development programs. Its La Strada Programme serves as the Bulgarian national coordinator for an international anti-trafficking network across Central and Eastern Europe. The Listen Project represents an EU-wide bullying prevention initiative utilizing participatory child-centered methods across seven countries. Additional services include helpline/hotline operations, the Key to Fear-Free School bullying prevention program, an online chatbot for automated support, and the Parents and Children program. The organization functions as a platform of specialized social services addressing violence prevention, victim support, and community empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• La Strada Bulgaria: La Strada programme for the prevention of trafficking in women in Central and Eastern Europe, coordinated by Animus Association Foundation as national coordinator.
• Listen!
• Crisis Centre "St. Petka"
• Centre for Rehabilitation, Counselling, Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis

Products and services

• Centre for Rehabilitation, Counseling, Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis Core therapeutic service providing psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and counseling for individuals and families affected by violence and trauma in Bulgaria.
• Crisis Unit 'St. Petka' Crisis centre providing immediate shelter and crisis support for victims of violence in Bulgaria.
• Social Services Centre for Children and Families Comprehensive social services supporting children and families, including those affected by violence.
• Training Center Educational division offering post-graduate programmes, professional training and research activities for psychologists, social workers and therapists.
• La Strada Bulgaria Programme International anti-trafficking programme coordinated by Animus Association as national coordinator for Bulgaria, operating across Central and Eastern Europe.
• Listen Project EU-wide project on bullying prevention in schools using participatory, child-centred methodology across 7 EU countries.
• Helpline / Crisis Hotline Crisis hotline providing immediate telephone support, referrals and information for victims of violence and those in need of assistance.
• Key to Fear-Free School (Bezstrah) Bullying prevention programme for schools providing resources and methodology for creating safe school environments.
• Animus Chatbot Online AI chatbot providing automated support and guidance for users seeking help or information.
• Parents and Children Programme Support programme for parents and children dealing with family issues and parenting challenges.

Quantifiable outcome

• 514 students engaged across 7 EU countries in bullying prevention via the Listen project
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, moderate and minor.

• La Strada InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Strada International is a European network of NGOs working on trafficking prevention and victim support, with member organisations in Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine, and the Netherlands. Animus Association is the national coordinator of La Strada-Bulgaria, operating since 1998. This is a flagship, long-standing partnership central to the organisation's anti-trafficking mission.
• Sofia MunicipalitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSofia Municipality provides municipal support and co-funding for social services programmes operated by Animus Association within the city of Sofia.
• Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Bulgaria)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is a key government partner for national social policy and anti-trafficking strategy implementation.
• Agency for Social Assistance (Bulgaria)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national social assistance agency collaborates with Animus on case management and service delivery for vulnerable populations.
• Sofia University St. Kliment OhridskimoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research, training, and knowledge exchange in psychology, social work, and gender studies.
• New Bulgarian UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for education and research collaboration in social sciences and gender studies.
• VIVACOMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVIVACOM is a Bulgarian telecommunications company providing corporate sponsorship and partnership support.
• National Network for Children (Bulgaria)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerA coalition of Bulgarian organisations working on children's rights, welfare, and protection.
• La Strada – The Netherlands (STV)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner of the La Strada programme; co-develops anti-trafficking policy and practice across Central and Eastern Europe.
• La Strada – Czech RepublicmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Strada Czech Republic is a member of the La Strada International network, collaborating on anti-trafficking efforts.
• La Strada – PolandmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Strada Poland is a member of the La Strada International network, collaborating on anti-trafficking efforts.
• La Strada – UkrainemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Strada Ukraine is a member of the La Strada International network.
• La Strada – Macedonia (Open Gate Foundation)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Strada Macedonia operates under the Open Gate Foundation and is part of the La Strada International network.
• La Strada – BelarusmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Strada Belarus is a member of the La Strada International network.
• La Strada – MoldovamoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Strada Moldova is a member of the La Strada International network.
• La Strada – Bosnia and HerzegovinamoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Strada Bosnia and Herzegovina is a member of the La Strada International network.
• Bulgarian Centre for Gender ResearchmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic/research organisation focused on gender studies, collaborating on research and policy in Bulgaria.
• Dutch Helsinki CommitteemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational human rights organisation collaborating on anti-trafficking and human rights standards.
• Barnardo's (UK)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading UK child welfare charity, partner in the Listen EU project on bullying prevention across 7 countries, funded under the Daphne Programme.
• City of Gothenburg (Sweden)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner in the Listen EU project, contributing to anti-bullying school initiatives.
• International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI, Netherlands)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational child development NGO, partner in the Listen EU project on bullying prevention.
• Linka Detskej Istoty (LDI, Slovakia)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovak child helpline organisation, partner in the Listen EU project.
• Save the Children (Romania)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational child rights organisation (Romania chapter), partner in the Listen EU project.
• SPI Forschung (Germany)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman research institute, partner in the Listen EU project, conducting and publishing research on bullying prevention.
• America for Bulgaria FoundationmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting civil society development in Bulgaria, providing funding and strategic support.
• VRIJE Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian university collaborating on research and academic exchange.
• Tilburg University (Netherlands)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch university collaborating on social sciences research.
• Nobody's Children Foundation (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish foundation supporting children affected by violence, part of international collaboration network.
• Council of the Baltic Sea StatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntergovernmental regional organisation collaborating on social policy and human rights.
• Safety Line Association (Czech Republic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech organisation working on child safety and violence prevention.
• Tampep Association (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian association contributing to European anti-trafficking network.
• Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (Cyprus)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic institute focused on gender studies in the Mediterranean region.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bulgarian Red Cross: National humanitarian organisation with broader social welfare scope but overlapping crisis support and vulnerable-population programmes in Bulgaria. A broader incumbent in the social services space where Animus specialises.
• UN Women Bulgaria: UN entity advancing gender equality and ending violence against women in Bulgaria. Operates the same thematic mission at greater scale and competes for the same donor and EU policy funding that supports Animus.

Direct peers

• Linka Detskej Istoty (Child Helpline Slovakia): Slovak child helpline and Listen EU project partner. Provides crisis line and child-safety services comparable to Animus's helpline and Bezstrah portal, with an overlapping youth-victimisation focus.
• Barnardo's (UK): UK child welfare charity and lead partner on the Listen EU project. Operates a comparable child-safety and anti-bullying portfolio with school-based delivery models, serving as both a co-grantee and a methodological peer.
• National Network for Children (Bulgaria): Bulgarian coalition of child-rights and child-protection NGOs. Listed as an Animus partner, it operates the same child welfare and protection mission domestically and serves overlapping populations including children affected by violence.
• La Strada International: Amsterdam-based umbrella network of anti-trafficking NGOs across Central and Eastern Europe. Animus is the La Strada-Bulgaria national coordinator, so this is the direct network partner operating the same anti-trafficking mission with comparable methodology and target population.
• Save the Children Romania: Romanian chapter of the international child-rights organisation, partner on the Listen EU project. Comparable in operating violence prevention and child protection programmes across CEE with similar EU grant-driven model.
• Nobody's Children Foundation (Poland): Polish foundation supporting children affected by violence, part of Animus's international collaboration network. Delivers similar violence prevention and child protection services with the same EU funding orientation.

Others

• America for Bulgaria Foundation: Bulgarian civil society funder that has supported Animus's programmes. Not a direct service peer but a key institutional grantmaker in the same domestic non-profit ecosystem.

Regional players

• Bulgarian Helsinki Committee: Bulgarian human rights and anti-discrimination organisation listed as an Animus partner. Operates in the same country on adjacent rights-based advocacy, with overlapping beneficiaries and donor network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/animus-association-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Animus Association Foundation