A new Employment and Business Development
Centre
Opens Doors in the Roma Quarters of Elhovo
On
25 September 2007, Tuesday, an Employment and Business Development Centre
- a Window Office of the JOBS Project Business Centre - will be officially
opened in the Roma neighbourhood in Elhovo. The ceremony will be hosted
by the Mayor of Elhovo and attended by a representative of the Ministry
of Labour and Social Policy, a representative of the UK Embassy to Bulgaria
and the Resident Representative a.i. of the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP).
The
JOBS (Job Opportunities through Business Support) Project is implemented
by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and UNDP. The funds for
establishment of the Employment and Business Development Centre in Elhovo
are provided by the UK Global Opportunities Fund and UNDP, and come
to a total of USD 100,000 for 3 years. The building of the Centre was
granted by the Municipality of Elhovo which invested funds in its renovation.
The
Centre aims to create more job opportunities for people in minority
communities, support them in starting up new businesses and improve
their qualification. It works in broad partnerships with local institutions
and organizations. Special emphasis is placed on changing employers'
attitudes to the employment potential of minority communities.
The
Centre, whose new building is to be unveiled at the ceremony, has been
functioning in a temporary facility since January 2007. Staff members
include a business consultant and an IT specialist, who form part of
the team of the Business Centre established under the JOBS Project in
Elhovo in 2001. The new Window Office has been utilizing the rich experience
and the effective employment and business support mechanisms implemented
by the Business Centre at the local level.
The
Centre provides a standard package of services based on the JOBS project
methodology to meet the needs of micro and small business owners, agricultural
producers and unemployed people with viable self-employment and business
ideas. The basic services delivered to local entrepreneurs include market
information, consultations, and assistance in writing business plans
and project proposals. An extensive vocational and motivational training
programme is also available, as well as courses for unemployed people,
including tailor-made training courses on request by employers. Through
the Window Office, Roma entrepreneurs in Elhovo have access to the financial
products of JOBS Leasing offering easy procedures for purchasing equipment,
agricultural machinery or machinery and equipment for small business
development. Lease amounts disbursed under JOBS Leasing vary from BGN
15,000 to 30,000.
The
"Strategy for Work of the Employment and Business Development Centre
for 2007-2011" will be officially presented on the same day. Its
priority areas over the next five years are targeted at improving the
skills, qualification and employability of the workforce and promoting
entrepreneurship. In order to accomplish these objectives, the Window
Office provides employment brokerage and job placement services.
Results of the work of the Employment and Business Development Centre
(January - end of August, 2007)
- 27 jobs created
- 198 consulting and information services delivered
to companies, agricultural producers, unemployed people
- 75 people of the minority communities in Elhovo
and the neighbouring villages trained in basic IT skills, welding,
motivational programmes for job search and placement, training under
the Start Your Business course
- 8 start-up entrepreneurs assisted, including with
elaboration of business plans for applying to the Micro-Credit Guarantee
Fund
- 176 Internet services provided.
Business Centre Elhovo is part of the countrywide network
of 43 Business Centres established by the JOBS Project. Since its establishment
in 2001, the BC has helped create 1,064 jobs. 1,684 people have been trained
in various subjects. The BC has provided equipment to the total value
of BGN 729,042 to 89 local entrepreneurs for starting up or developing
their business. 72% of leased equipment is targeted at agricultural producers.
Under the Project 100 Grant Scheme operated by BC Elhovo in 2005, support
was provided for the establishment of 20 new enterprises in Yambol District.
The BC also operates one of the eight Herbs and Alternative Agricultural
Products (HAAP) Hubs of the JOBS network. BC Elhovo has also been implementing
socially significant projects supported by other donors.
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