The number of applications in the competition for the best business plan of a non-governmental organization is on the increase compared to previous years;

Since this year, UniCredit Foundation and UniCredit Bulbank are partners to the organizers from the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law

Exactly 55 foundations from all across the country have expressed willingness to develop social entrepreneurship. They have submitted their applications under the Programme for Social Entrepreneurship for Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) for 2013 – 2014, organized by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law, UniCredit Foundation and America for Bulgaria Foundation. The programme is carried out for a third consecutive year.

The greatest number of applicants are from Sofia (32), but there are also applicant organizations from other big towns and cities (Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Vratsa, Shumen, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, Lovech, Pazardzhik, Targovishte), as well as from smaller settlements (Dupnitsa, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bratsigovo, Vlahi village, Strashimirovo village, Slokoshtitsa village). All applicant organizations involve volunteers in their activities.

The ideas for development of a related commercial activity, described by the candidates, can be classified into one of the following thematic fields:

• providing specialized educational services for children (part-time study classes, mobile educational centers, etc.) and social services for people from various vulnerable groups;

• sale of products – own manufacture (developing a garden center, workshops for folklore costumes, specialized items for pets, handcrafts, food establishments, providing hotel and tourist services, etc.);

• on-line store for services and products, development of software solutions, creation of information and advertising webpages.

The deadline for submission of applications was June 28th. By the end of August these applications will be reviewed by a jury that will shortlist the participants in the programme.

At the end of September and the beginning of October trainings will be organized for the shortlisted candidates for starting social entrepreneurship, after which they will be assisted in the preparation of business plans as well. Experts from UniCredit Bulbank will participate as volunteers in the trainings, organized for the representatives of the foundations.

 

Each programme participant will have the opportunity to participate also in the competition for the best business plan of an NGO with a prize pool of 30 thousand Bulgarian lev, provided by UniCredit Foundation and America for Bulgaria Foundation. The prize pool will be distributed among the three best business plans.

The start of the three-year partnership between UniCredit Foundation and the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law was announced at a special press conference last month, which also presented interesting facts about social entrepreneurship.

http://unicreditbulbank.bg/en/Media_Centre/News/2013/EN_NEWS_18_06_2013

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ekaterina Ancheva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 963, flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch