Previously, she was editor of ‘Social Issues’ of the Bulgarian weekly “Capital” (2003-2008). Yana is a representative of the Bulgarian Activist Alliance – an informal group of activists, working in the human rights field. As a fellow of the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence in 2009, Yana investigated human rights abuses and inhuman and degrading treatment in institutions for adults with intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia, see http://dumpinggroundsforpeople.wordpress.com/. In November 2009, this investigation was awarded with the third prize in the Balkan Awards for Journalistic Excellence. On 1 December 2009, Yana joined the team of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee as Campaign Manager.