Bulgarian social services and social work education This article describes the changes taking place in Bulgaria in social welfare, social services, and social work education as an example of the transformations in process in the current transition from Communism to democratic, market-economy societies in Central and Eastern Europe. The previous paternalistic, centralized, excessively politicized system and services are being re-evaluated and restructured to meet the new economic needs and social demands brought about by privatization and shrinking government budgets. The existence of poverty, which was denied during Communism, is now being acknowledged and tackled. Some previous services are being reduced or dropped; new ones are being created; some very small private volunteer agencies are being established; and a new curriculum for social work education in universities is being developed. However, the rigidities of thinking fostered by fifty years of Communism must be overcome in order that substantial changes can take place.