Nevena Peneva's areas of expertise with respect to the work of the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) include: anti-racism, non-discrimination and hate crime, as well as rights of people with disabilities and older people, fundamental rights indicators and socio-legal research. Before joining the FRA, she managed projects related to inclusion, human rights and youth participation in NGOs in Bulgaria and Austria.

She studied politics and sociology and holds a Masters degree in International Relations and a postgraduate degree in European Studies.