14.12.2022

OVER BGN 70 MILLION WILL BE DIRECTED TO SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION

"Over BGN 70 million is the resource that in the coming years will be directed to the development of social entrepreneurs and innovations in the social economy sector. Through measures that will be implemented through the Recovery and Sustainability Plan and the "Human Resources Development" Program, we will have the opportunity to support social entrepreneurs to digitize processes, increase their competitiveness, access to new markets, ensure employment for people from vulnerable groups.'

This was said by the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Nadya Klisurska, during a seminar on "Public policies for the development of social entrepreneurship", organized by the Reach for Change Bulgaria foundation and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy /MLSP/. It was attended by the head of the Managing Authority of the "Human Resources Development" Program, Tsvetan Spasov, and the director of the Directorate "Living Standards, Demographic Policy and Social Investments" at the MLSP, Petar Nachev.

According to Petar Nachev, BGN 26 million has been allocated for the development of social entrepreneurship under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan.

"We tried to identify all the problems and direct the funds in that direction. We will create 6 focus points, each of which will be responsible for certain regions of Bulgaria. A range of services will be offered there, there will be consulting teams that will assist social enterprises in preparing strategies, consultations for applying for project documentation, improving processes in the enterprise," Nachev pointed out.

He emphasized the registration in the Register of Social Enterprises at the Ministry of Social Enterprises, which is important for targeted funding and the best possible support for social enterprises. According to his words, through the implementation of the measures, plans for action and modernization of each company, digitization of processes, equipment with modern software, 3D printers, new production lines will be created.

The creation and equipment of modern areas where entrepreneurs can offer their products will also be financed. The financing under the Recovery Plan also aims to create a platform for online sales, improve forms of communication and international exchanges on the principle of Erasmus programs.

"Among the programs that will be implemented under the "Human Resources Development" program will be the measure "Promoting the social economy at the local and regional level", which will have a budget of 22 million BGN", pointed out Tsvetan Spasov. He explained that the support is due to start in September 2023, with between 50 and 100 existing or emerging social enterprises expected to be supported.

Activities under the measure will include increasing the recognition of social enterprises, stimulating partnership, including representatives of vulnerable groups in training courses, as well as providing subsidized employment for a period of 6 to 24 months.

"In the summer of 2023, the ALMA Youth Initiative will be open for applications and operations, the purpose of which is to provide opportunities for mobility of vulnerable groups to do internships in another European country and then apply what they have learned in Bulgaria," said Spasov.

About 100 representatives of vulnerable groups are expected to be involved in project activities, which include qualification or training courses. They aim to help the internship abroad for a period of 3 to 6 months and inclusion in employment with an employer in Bulgaria. In the coming years, the opening of an operation for direct support of social innovations is also planned. Different models of solving social problems will be developed.