The Values Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation, established in February 1998 by Antonina Stoyanova – wife of the former President of Bulgaria. The main purpose of the Values Foundation is to assist and promote the development of Bulgarian science, education and culture as well as to present and publicise their achievements. The projects of the Values Foundation range from small-scale ones launched by individual citizens to large scale projects requiring the collaboration and support of other Bulgarian NGO’s. These projects aim at promoting dialogue and co-operation at national, regional and European level in three major spheres: education, arts, and science.

The National History Competition (“Nacionalen Istoričeski Konkurs”) was launched in Bulgaria in May 1999 by the Values Foundation. At present, there are neither governmental nor other nongovernmental organisations in Bulgaria offering an approach for students to expose their interests in the field of history, as well as to the teachers to work on research projects. The competition is open to students of all schools between the age of 14 and 19. Both individual and group research papers can be submitted. There is no restriction as to the size of the group.