15.02.2022

UP TO BGN 20,000 FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS

Employers can receive up to BGN 10,000 to finance projects to provide access to existing or new jobs for people with permanent disabilities of working age. The same amount will be used to finance proposals for adapting existing jobs and equipping new ones for people with disabilities. The funds are provided by the Agency for People with Disabilities (APD) under the National Program for Employment of People with Disabilities. Employers can receive BGN 1,000 for professional training of an employee with disabilities.

Documents can be submitted until April 18, 2022 at the APD through a licensed postal operator or electronically at ahu_zaetost@mlsp.government.bg.

Under another program, APD will grant up to BGN 20,000 to people with disabilities to start or develop an independent business. With these funds they will be able to finance their investment costs, construction and repair works, equipment of workplaces, training of staff and the owner of the enterprise, as well as to cover the minimum start-up capital. Applicants must have 50 and more than 50% reduced working capacity and not participate as owners or partners in another company. Project proposals must be submitted by March 21, 2022.

APD also announces a competition for financing projects with social and economic orientation, aimed at stimulating the employment of people with permanent disabilities in a specialized work environment. Enterprises and cooperatives that have at least one full financial reporting year as a specialized enterprise registered in the APD can apply. Socially oriented projects aim to help employers from specialized work environments to provide adequate working conditions for people with permanent disabilities working in them. The maximum amount of the subsidy is BGN 40,000. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2022.

Business-oriented projects aim to increase the competitiveness of specialized enterprises and cooperatives of people with permanent disabilities by technological renovation of machinery and equipment, introduction of new technologies and re-equipment of existing and creation of new jobs for people with permanent disabilities. To finance such proposals, the AHU grants up to BGN 80,000. Documents must be submitted by April 11, 2022.

The Agency for People with Disabilities will also finance projects for the establishment of Protected Employment Centers. It is open to specialized enterprises and cooperatives of people with disabilities, occupational health facilities, as well as any organization of people with disabilities registered under current legislation. Each Protected Employment Center must provide conditions for the creation of work skills and habits of at least 15 people with multiple permanent disabilities, along with the provision of a minimum package of personal support services. The maximum amount of the allocated funds for one project proposal is up to BGN 618 000. The deadline for applications is April 26, 2022.

APD is also recruiting project proposals for building an accessible architectural environment of cultural, historical and sports sites for people with disabilities. State, municipal, economic and non-governmental organizations that own or manage the sites can apply for this program. The agency will also provide funds for proposals for rehabilitation and integration of people with disabilities.

More information can be found on the website of the Agency for People with Disabilities.