19.10.2023
IT IS EASIER TO FINANCE OWN BUSINESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy proposes a change in the Methodology for financing projects for self-employed people with disabilities.
The Executive Director of the Agency for People with Disabilities approves programs and projects for the initiation and development of independent business activities for people with disabilities, together with a methodology for financing the planned activities. The methodology regulates the application conditions, required documents and specific application requirements.
This targeted program is implemented annually by providing funds from the state budget and in many cases is practically the only alternative for people with disabilities to participate in the labor market. The goal is to promote opportunities for self-employment, entrepreneurship and starting an independent business by people with disabilities. In this way, prerequisites are created for their reintegration into society, to improve their socio-economic status with a view to leading a fulfilling life and sustainable socialization, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy explains.
According to the department's analysis, problems have been identified preventing the achievement of the expected results of the implementation of the program, resp. dissuading potential candidates - individuals with disabilities from applying.
In this regard, a Draft Order for amending and supplementing the Methodology for financing projects for the initiation and development of independent business activities of disabled people has been developed, together with a new model of the Application Form - Appendix No. 1, an integral part of the methodology.
The changes envisage increasing the subsidy under the program from BGN 20,000 to BGN 30,000 as a stimulating incentive mechanism for persons from the target group.
The application conditions are eased by dropping some formal requirements, such as canceling the requirement that the funding applicant prove management experience for similar activities, in order to stimulate the application of more persons inactive on the labor market, as well as changes in the subsidy payment tranches on the individual components of the program. Advance payments for project investment costs are expected to increase from 30% to 50%. This will provide applicants with more funds to purchase equipment.
The term of the post-investment activities is reduced from 36 months to 24 months in order for future entrepreneurs to have the opportunity to benefit from other targeted programs as regular employers.
The relevant application forms are also specified in relation to the envisaged amendments.
Individuals with permanent disabilities, with 50 and more than 50% determined reduced working capacity, who do not have an established sole proprietorship, regardless of whether it is active or inactive, and who do not participate as partners in other commercial companies, are entitled to support under the Program.
In the last three years, 59 projects of individuals with permanent disabilities - owners of sole proprietorships - have been financed. They have started their own businesses in activities such as the production and sale of handicraft goods; beauty studios; taxi services; car painting services; investment design of buildings and facilities and implementation of copyright control; food establishments; roadside assistance; engraving and sublimation; development and maintenance of web applications and software; interior design studio and others.
When realizing the independent economic activity, a large part of the beneficiaries of the Program have provided employment to other persons as well.
Funds are granted to cover only investment costs, such as the establishment of a new enterprise, construction and repair works, equipment of the disclosed workplaces, one of which is mandatory for the owner of the enterprise, start-up minimum working capital, short-term training course for the owner of the enterprise.
