On the 22^nd of February 2020 in Serdika Center the annual award ceremony of the “Best Business Plan of a NGO” 2020 took place.

The event is of the “Entrepreneurship for Non-Profit Organizations” 2019/2020 Program of the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL) with the support of America for Bulgaria Foundation and in partnership with Telus International Europe, UniCredit Bulbank and Accenture Bulgaria.

The Program is organized for a ninth year in a row and supports civil organizations to develop commercial activities connected to their missions – to become sustainable and independent and to give the opportunity for helping a meaningful cause to more people. The finalists receive financial support and participation in Lab4e- mentor for the next 6 months in order to get expert support for the realization of their ideas.

Here are the awarded organizations:

• Sports Club Shark  with their idea “ParaKids – Sportswear for Special Children” for manufacturing of sportswear for water sports and rehabilitation for children and young people with disabilities that are easy and convenient to use. Financial support – 6000 BGN.
• Association of Polar Early Career Scientists and their idea to create and sell an educational series of polar themed souvenirs „COOL ANTARCTICA” (T-shirts, glasses, cards, magnets, etc.) with educational information about Antarctica, the protection of the Ice Continent, and its significance for Earth.: Financial support 5000 BGN.
• Parallel World Association and their idea Mission Hope, in the scope of which they will develop a new production line to the social enterprise of the organization which produces reusable shopping bag. The models will be branded with prints of drawings by children and young people with disabilities. Financial support 5000 BGN.

A special award by the jury was awarded to Nishan Association for their idea of creating assemblable toy and book in one called “Traditional Home” – 3D model of a traditional Bulgarian houses from the 19^th century with information about crafts, customs and traditions in the respective ethnographic fields. In addition to traditional knowledge, the toy develops the fine motor skills and spatial thinking of children. The Association will continue in the mentoring part of the Program – Lab4e alongside with the other 3 finalists as well as free access to the www.DarPazar.bg platform where it will be able to sell its products and services with a cause.

The Ceremony took place in the scope of the two-day “A Little Means a Lot” Baazar (22 and 23 February) in Serdika Center. In it 14 social entrepreneurs from Sofia and the country participated with their products and hand-made goods the profit from which will support a meaningful cause.

The Competition and the Bazaar are part of “Entrepreneurship for Non-Profit Organizations” Program, which is supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation in partnership with TELUS International Europe, UniCredit Bulbank and Accenture Bulgaria.