The British Council was founded in 1934 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1940. We are a public corporation, a charity and an executive non-departmental public body with operational independence from the UK government. Our Patron was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II until the time of her passing. Our Vice Patron was His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru) until his Accession as His Majesty King Charles III.
The Royal Charter outlined our mission as ‘promoting abroad a wider appreciation of British culture and civilisation [by] encouraging cultural, educational and other interchanges between the United Kingdom and elsewhere’. Our mission is the same today, and it is as relevant now it was back in 1934.
In the UK we are a registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
Our status in Bulgaria
- We implement the agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on the Establishment and Activities of Cultural Centres.
- In Bulgaria we are registered as 'British Council – branch Bulgaria'. Our registration number (EIK) is 176540548.
- As a branch of a foreign non-profit organisation acting for public benefit, we are registered in the Ministry of Justice Central Register of Non-profit Organisations Acting for Public Benefit.
- As a cultural relations organisation we are registered in the Ministry of Culture Information Register of Cultural Organisations.