From Friendship to Action: Rotary Builds a Bridge Between Türkiye and Bulgaria
İzmit Rotary Club's visits to Momchilgrad and Nova Zagora opened conversations about international cooperation on a proposed Global Grant supporting neonatal intensive care at Kocaeli University Hospital.
Some of Rotary's most meaningful projects begin long before the first piece of equipment is delivered. They begin when people meet, friendships grow and clubs discover that they share the same concern for their communities.
For İzmit Rotary Club in Türkiye, that shared concern is the care of newborn babies who need specialised medical attention.
On 13–14 October 2026, a delegation from İzmit Rotary Club, District 2420, travelled to Bulgaria to visit Rotary Club Momchilgrad and Rotary Club Nova Zagora, District 2482. The purpose was to strengthen existing friendships and explore international partnerships for a proposed Rotary Foundation Global Grant project for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Kocaeli University Hospital.
The delegation included İzmit Rotary Club President Alper Terzi and Mehmet İsmail, Chair of the Bulgaria–Türkiye Intercountry Committee (ICC).
In Momchilgrad: An Invitation to Work Together
The first meeting took place on 13 October, when the İzmit delegation joined the official meeting of Rotary Club Momchilgrad.
There, the visiting Rotarians presented their proposed Global Grant and explained the opportunity for international cooperation in maternal and child health.
The project received an interested response, and Rotary Club Momchilgrad was invited to consider becoming an international project partner.
The exchange of gifts and club plaques, including a portrait of Atatürk presented by the Bulgarian hosts, reflected the friendship and mutual respect that make international Rotary cooperation possible.
Behind the formalities was a practical question: could clubs from two neighbouring countries bring their resources, experience and relationships together to support medical care for newborn babies?
In Nova Zagora: Continuing the Conversation
On 14 October, the delegation attended the weekly meeting of Rotary Club Nova Zagora, held during the town's annual celebrations.
The gathering brought together members of neighbouring Rotary clubs and District 2482 Governor Aleksandar Petrov.
İzmit Rotary Club shared the proposed Global Grant documentation with participating clubs and the District Governor, opening further discussions about potential support and collaboration.
The programme also included a visit to the wine estate of Nova Zagora Rotarian Georgi Purov, offering another opportunity for personal connections and fellowship.
According to İzmit Rotary Club, the proposal generated interest and encouraging responses during both visits. Discussions about possible participation remain an important step towards developing the project.
Friendship That Can Grow into Lasting Impact
These meetings were not the beginning of the relationship. Some of the friendships had already been formed during the Çanakkale Swimming Races on 30 August.
Meeting again in Bulgaria allowed those connections to develop into conversations about a shared project.
The involvement of the Bulgaria–Türkiye ICC also demonstrated the value of Intercountry Committees in connecting clubs, encouraging understanding and creating opportunities for cooperation beyond national borders.
The proposed Global Grant is still at the partnership-building stage. Its future implementation will depend on further planning, commitments and the applicable Rotary Foundation requirements.
Yet the visits have already achieved something meaningful: they have brought clubs together around a specific healthcare need and opened the door to possible joint action.
From İzmit to Momchilgrad and Nova Zagora, Rotary friendship is becoming a conversation about better care for newborn babies — and about the lasting impact that international cooperation may make possible.
