"Social entrepreneurs are not content to just give you a fish or teach you how to catch one. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry."

Bill Drayton 

He is an innovator, thinks 2 moves ahead, analyzes his actions, carefully examines the environment, and boldly makes the necessary decisions. He's not perfect, he's wrong at times, he falls, gets up and does not giving up. He reminds us a bit of Thomas Edison, who claims to have found 1,000 ways how NOT to make an electrical bulb. For him, failure is a new step on which he steps to climb and get closer to the goal.

This is what he looks like – the social entrepreneur. The person or team of people who have decided that starting a business with the mission of their organization, is the right step towards the long-term achievement of change. Today we're introducing the people and organizations who have followed in the footsteps of becoming the hero described so far.

We are excited to announce the participants in this year's edition of the Entrepreneurship Program for NGOs LET's GO 2022! We received 34 unique applications and believe us, the selection of the committee was not at all easy, but nevertheless managed to highlight 12 participants. These are 12 organizations that reported a problem and offered their solution, adapting not only to the changed business environment, but also to the numerous growing social needs in the areas in which they work. Among this year's participants we highlight those with already vague ideas for a value-added business, but also those who have shown that their experience and aspiration in doing good are enough to embark on the new world of social entrepreneurship for them.

And here they are – the participants in LET's GO 2022:

1.  „KONCERTI.BG“  - Sofia

"Koncerti.BG" actively organize and conduct concerts, festivals, educational and music workshops. They participate in the Program with 3 great ideas, 1 of which aims to develop a detailed business plan, with which they will continue to develop and support the cultural and concert scene in Bulgaria in a truly innovative way. We can't wait to see what they choose to focus on. 

2.  “NARODNO CHITALISHTE "LYUBEN KARAVELOV - 1897" – Kurtovo Konare

The mission of the community center is to create and spread spiritual values by developing the creative abilities of the community. The participation of the team in the program aims to support it in clarifying and shaping a final idea for economic activity related to the tourist package "Visiting Kurtovo Konare", which includes local walks to the Krichim Palace, joint preparation of food, traditional winters, demonstration of crafts, etc. 

3. THEATRE NOX Foundation– Sofia

The mission of the Knox Theatre Foundation is to attract a young audience to the theater hall, to develop their cultural and aesthetic perceptions and to increase their interest in creative initiatives. They edinter boldly let's GO 2022, determined to develop their own space for rehearsals, cultural events, creative schools, trainings, and seminars. The team of the foundation already has the necessary hall, which dreams of becoming a cultural space for events with an audience – chamber theatrical performances, concerts, exhibitions, readies, etc.

4. "Applied Education" Foundation – Sofia

The aim of the Foundation is to support the personal and professional development of children and young people, including those at risk and at social disadvantage. They enter the Entrepreneurship Program for NGOs with the idea to create a series of educational tools and products to support the development and construction of social and specific skills in young people.

5. Root Foundation Bulgaria – Sofia

The mission of the organization is to create conditions for the development of a sustainable ecological culture and to build environmentally friendly habits for living in harmony with nature in an urban environment. A motive to take part in LET's GO is their idea to create a wooden composter for apartments to replace the usual plastic buckets. This could solve a global problem threatening our existence, namely the disposal of millions of tonnes of waste every year. 

6.Infinite Opportunities Association – Sofia

The association is actively working towards a tolerant acceptance of the diversity of people and personal stories in modern society. They have an idea to commercialize the game of human rights training. We're excited to see what they'll come up with! 

7. Dobrudzha - history, traditions, culture – Dobrich

The mission of the Foundation is to assist the community of Bulgarian artisans and small farmers, observing clean, traditional production practices and environmental principles. They join LET's GO with 4 business ideas related to the promotion of products of artisans and other farmers (with clean production practices) to reach more consumers. They also dream of a mobile product store, a mobile workshop for processing and packaging of products, and also clear ideas for creating attractive tourist gift sets with unique products and products

8. Mission Wings Foundation – Stara Zagora

The Foundation supports, encourages and contributes to the development of the full potential of vulnerable children and adults to realize achievements in different spheres of life in Bulgaria. They enter LET's GO, determined to develop a social café for people from vulnerable groups to work in. They also have an idea for developing a workshop for hand-held works. 

9. Naturalistichno Association– Sofia

Their main focus is on carrying out direct theoretical and practical activities and policies for: conservation, maintenance and improvement of the environment – natural and social, through the conscious use and management of natural resources and the enhancement of biodiversity. The team eagerly joined the Program to clarify and stop at one of the few ideas they have for new social entrepreneurial initiatives. 

10. Sofera Social and Training Farm  – Ilindentsi

The team of the association is dedicated to creating skills for independent living of children and young people with developmental difficulties and persons with disabilities. At this stage, they develop activities related to the distribution of baskets of fresh products - seasonal fruits and vegetables, for which young people directly participate with agricultural care and labor on the field of experience during the camps. By participating in LET's GO they will develop this idea and hope that they will turn it into a working social business. 

11. NAPRAVENO S LUBOV 21 – Pernik

The association works to support artists with disabilities and their families for a dignified and independent life. They're joining the program with an idea to conduct creative workshops with the participation of people with disabilities. They also plan to create a video album for each artist and show the strength of their spirit, creativity and love with which they work from home or social institution.

12. For Our Children Foundation -  Sofia

The mission of the foundation is to create an environment in which every child at a young age develops their potential, together with families and the community. Their participation in LET's GO is dictated by the desire to create an educational center – Academy of Social Learning and Development, in which they offer trainings for specialists, employees in social and other related fields in order to increase their understanding, acquire knowledge and skills on early childhood development issues.

Well, these are the innovators who will prove that they are able to advance mini revolutions in the fields in which they work. We are grateful that our work meets them. There is no more time to waste – the participants dive boldly into the deep waters – the first series of training begins, and our new heroes flicker in anticipation to see what we have prepared for them. The journey may be difficult for some, but it will undoubtedly be enriching. Keep a close eye on us because we're going to keep meeting you with inspired people! And who will be this year's mentors at LET's GO – we will learn very soon!

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The program is organized by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law with the support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, UniCredit Bulbank, Accenture Bulgaria and Telus International.