In June 2026, team members from Wacom Europe's Sofia office joined the Balkanka Association for a volunteer clean-up of the Vacha River near Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Held in recognition of Earth Day and World Fish Migration Day, the initiative brought together Wacom team members, former colleagues, local community members, and children to support river conservation.

Stretching 112 km through southern Bulgaria, the Vacha River winds through the Rhodope Mountains and is known for its rich biodiversity, scenic landscapes, and diverse bird and wildlife populations. Home to native fish species and several protected areas, the river is a popular destination for fishing, hiking, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.  

Starting early in the morning, 13 volunteers joined forces to help clean up and protect the river. During the clean-up, they collected a wide range of litter that had been improperly discarded in the surrounding environment, including plastic packaging, disposable coffee cups, and soft drink cans.

As the day went on, the clean-up turned into an unexpected "treasure hunt"—not for valuables, but for the most unusual items left by the river. Among the most surprising finds were a discarded blanket, a mattress, old shoes, clothing and textiles submerged in the water, industrial tools, and numerous other bulky waste items. What started as a clean-up soon became a lighthearted challenge, with volunteers sharing and comparing who had found the most unexpected piece of litter.

The initiative reflected a shared commitment to protecting nature while encouraging community involvement across generations. By bringing together former colleagues, local community members, and children, the event also helped raise awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship and responsible waste disposal. The team members who participated in the initiative shared a common message: nature is invaluable to all of us, and protecting it is a responsibility we all share.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed their time and energy to this initiative. We are also pleased to introduce our colleague Dobromir Balabanov, who played a key role in bringing this volunteering initiative to life together with the Balkanka Association.

Beyond the Code: An Interview with Dobromir Balabanov
As a Lead Software Engineer at Wacom Europe, Dobromir Balabanov develops technology that helps people bring their ideas to life. Beyond his work as engineer, he is equally passionate about protecting rivers and nature. In collaboration with the Balkanka Association, he played a leading role in organizing Wacom Europe’s Vacha River clean-up initiative and inspiring team members to get involved. In this interview, he shares what motivates his environmental work and how his experience at Wacom supports these efforts.

What motivates you to engage in initiatives related to nature and rivers, and how did it all start?
Dobromir: Some of my earliest childhood memories are of spending time by the river, where I used to fish with my grandfather. From a young age, I developed a deep appreciation for nature, its flora, and its fauna. In 2019, I took part in a protest to protect a river, where I met the people from Balkanka and joined their cause. Since then, I have been actively involved in initiatives to protect rivers and preserve the natural environment.

Can you tell us about one initiative you’re most proud of? What was the challenge, and what impact did it have?
Dobromir: I am proud of many initiatives, but the ones that stand out the most are the “Green Schools” programs we organize for children. We run these programs in different parts of the country, and I have been both a lead organizer of one program and a co-organizer of others. One of the main challenges is explaining complex environmental topics in a way that is both accessible and engaging. What makes these programs especially impactful is that children are accompanied by their parents, who also become active participants of the learning process. Through these initiatives, we’ve realized that not only children, but many adults as well, lack a basic understanding of how rivers function and why they are so important.

In what ways does your experience at Wacom inspire or complement the work you do for environmental causes and community clean-up initiatives?
Dobromir: I appreciate that Wacom has strong environmental policies and is moving in the right direction, especially through eco-friendly product design, responsible material use, reducing its environmental footprint, and maintaining transparency. Digital ink also helps reduce paper consumption, and Wacom devices are among the most durable on the market, helping to reduce electronic waste. My work at Wacom has strengthened my communication and organizational skills, enabling me to coordinate initiatives more effectively and encourage people to get involved in environmental and community efforts. It’s inspiring to work for a company that is committed to making a positive impact through its business and sustainability efforts. In my own way, I strive to make a similar contribution at the local level through initiatives focused on protecting rivers and nature.


Content contributed by Maya Nikolova, Senior HR Specialist at Wacom Europe, Sofia office in Bulgaria.