Bulgarian Ilyana Tsanova, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of EU funds in the caretaker governments of prime ministers Marin Raykov and Georgi Bliznashki, has been selected as a 2015 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

“It is a great honor for me to be part of this prestigious community of young leaders from all over the world,” Tsanova told dnevnik.bg, adding that the nomination provided opportunities for development, for making useful contacts, and for participating in various initiatives, including the WEF.

She made clear that it was important to her that she represented Bulgaria.

Tsanova is currently director of the co-financing unit of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Each year, the WEF recognizes distinguished leaders under 40 from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society, and potential to shape the future through their leadership.

Tsanova is the third representative of Bulgaria to receive such an award after human rights activist Yana Buhrer Tavanier (2012) and Nikolina Angelkova (2014), Bulgaria’s current Tourism Minister.

Tsanova was nominated by two people with whom she worked independently.

She is one of this year’s class of 187 young leaders from 66 countries.

Tsanova has been working at the EBRD since 2006.

In the period 2001-2003, she worked at the accounting unit of Deloitte Bulgaria.

Tsanova holds a Master in Finance from the Sofia-based University of National and World Economy and has completed a postgraduate program in financial management at the George Washington University.