The donation amounts to 70 thousand euro

UniCredit Foundation will be one of the organizers of the competition for best programme for social entrepreneurship for non-profit organizations for 2013-2014. For a third consecutive year the competition initiated by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-profit Law (BCNL) aims to gather and distinguish the best business cases prepared by foundations and associations.

All representatives of the non-profit sector can apply in this year's edition of the competition by 28 June 2013 and for further information the requirements are available on the website of BCNL. (http://www.bcnl.org/bg/news/1124-програма-за-социално-предприемачество-за-нестопански-организации.html) The best proposals for starting a new business, prepared by non-profit organizations, will receive a cash premium from the prize pool of the competition, which they can use as a start-up investment.

According to the cooperation agreement signed between UniCredit Foundation and BCNL, the two organizations will work in partnership in the next three years in order to foster a business-minded attitude in the representatives of the non-profit sector. As part of the partnership, UniCredit Foundation will provide the prize pool of the competition which is BGN 30 thousand for the period until 2016, and experts from UniCredit Bulbank will join as trainers at the initial stage of the competition.

"The social entrepreneurship programme of BCNL aims to support non-profit organizations in developing business initiatives which help them fulfill their missions. In this way organizations will receive funds which they can use in order to help the vulnerable groups or the causes they support. In our opinion, the investment in good business ideas ensures long-term sustainability and financial independence of the NPOs", explained Lyuben Panov, programme director of BCNL.

"UniCredit Foundation supports the development of the social entrepreneurship concept for several reasons. In the first place, we think that this is a really good way for foundations to self-provide some of the funds they need while working for their causes", commented Maurizio Carrara, President of UniCredit Foundation. He explained that social entrepreneurship relies on the natural aptitude of companies for economic and financial stability, producing goods and services needed by society, while ensuring employment. "Social entrepreneurship can be fulfilled in different areas – education, social services, etc.", Carrara said.

About social entrepreneurship and the competition so far

In Bulgaria the main source of financial resources for not-for-profit organizations are still different donors. Social entrepreneurship is an alternative thanks to which single time investment may lead to long term incomes in support of a certain cause. Another source could be the start of regular donations programmes for individuals and corporates.

Bulgarian Center for Not-for-profit Law, together with America for Bulgaria, started the Programme for social entrepreneurship in 2011, in order to enhance the organizations to develop their good ideas in a sustainable way. The participating organizations are trained in business planning. Each organization develops its idea in the form of a business plan. These business plans are competing and the three best are awarded. Some of the best ideas so far are: workshop for restoration of furniture in which work homeless people; workshop for soaps in which work children leaving the institutions; bird watching and others.

For UniCredit Foundation

UniCredit Foundation is a corporate foundation that was established in 2003 in order to contribute to the development of solidarity and philanthropy in the communities and territories where UniCredit operates, primarily in the regions where UniCredit is present (22 countries including Europe and Central Asia). Through the transfer of financial resources and the typical management skills of a company, UniCredit Foundation supports projects of significant social impact and innovation, implemented by local nonprofit organizations.

The main areas of intervention of UniCredit Foundation are: Centre of philanthropic competence; supporting social inclusions; initiative for UniCredit employees.

More information for clients:

UniCredit Bulbank, Call Centre

Phone: 0700 1 84 84

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