November 7 2006

Five Enterprises in Kozloduy Get Start-up Grants
to Go in Business

On 7 November at the House of Power Engineers in Kozloduy, an official ceremony took place to announce the names of five applicants who will receive start-up grants to begin a business. The grant assistance project is financed by the United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The grant certificates was awarded by Mr Trevor Hayward on behalf of DTI and Mr Neil Buhne, UNDP Resident Representative to Bulgaria.

The grant scheme for start-up entrepreneurs is implemented by the Job Opportunities through Business Support (JOBS) Project and its Business Centre in Kozloduy.

The maximum grant is BGN 15,000 (GBP 5,000). After a review of 13 competing business plans, the committee awarded the top five finalists who gained the highest score ranking and will receive grants to create a new business. The project will help set up a production line for beehives, a furniture manufacturer, a small utility company, a manufacturer of solar collectors and a translation service. The awarded applicants have to provide 20 per cent of the grant amount they applied for; that will be their personal contribution to the new business. The prospective entrepreneurs are expected to incorporate their enterprise and to proceed with their business plan by 29 November.

The grant scheme was launched in May and involved a 10-day training course for the applicants who submitted viable business ideas. The training covered separate modules on how to develop a business idea, how to write a business plan and how to use information technology in business. The trainees that successfully passed the final exam were offered an opportunity to compose a business plan. Overall, 26 applicants were trained under the project.

The grant money will be used for renovation of facilities and for purchase of equipment, software and necessary materials to start the business. The funds may also be invested in staff training or retraining, development of new products, transfer of know-how, marketing and promotion in order to ensure that the new enterprise will be competitive in the marketplace.

The JOBS Project Business Centre in Kozloduy was established about a year and a half ago with the joint efforts of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry, which provided GBP 180,000 for the centre's operations. The small grant scheme continues a series of DTI initiatives to support the people in the region in the face of planned decommissioning of nuclear reactors.

The grant scheme applies a methodology implemented under Project 100 of the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy and Energy and UNDP.

October 31 2006

Business Centre in Pazardjik Supports Small Business and Job Creation

On 31 October a new Business Centre was unveiled in Pazardjik under the JOBS Project. The inauguration ceremony was hosted by the mayor of Pazardjik. Official guests were Mr. Baki Hyusseinov, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Mr. Bertil Roth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Bulgaria, Ms. Eva Belfrage, Senior Advisor with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and Ms. Lene Jespersen, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bulgaria.

The Job Opportunities through Business Support (JOBS) Project is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and UNDP. The establishment of the Business Centre (BC) in Pazardjik was financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency with USD 350,000. The building which accommodates the Business Centre was renovated under the project and was granted by the municipality of Pazardjik. The BC aims to create more job choices for people in minority communities. It supports them to start a business and to improve their skills.

The centre works in broad partnerships with local institutions and organisations. Special emphasis is placed on changing employers' attitudes about the employment potential of minority communities. The local partners of the Business Centre include the municipality, the Labour Office, members of the local business community, the community based association Budeste (Future) and other non-governmental organisations supporting minority communities.

The Business Centre in Pazardjik began operations in November 2004. Its new building offers training facilities, an IT centre, a reception area and office space for the staff, which includes experts in finance and marketing. The Business Centre provides a standard package of services designed by the JOBS business support network to meet the needs of micro and small business owners, agricultural producers and unemployed people who want to start a business. Entrepreneurs are assisted with market information, consultations, contacts with Bulgarian and international companies, and preparation of business plans and project proposals under various funding programmes. The centre provides a diverse range of vocational training, motivational seminars and courses for unemployed people, including on demand from employers. It also facilitates participation in fairs and trade events in the country and abroad.

The Business Centre operates a financial leasing fund for purchase of enterprise equipment, agricultural machinery and other assets for small businesses. Leases up to BGN 25,000 are available to existing micro and small entrepreneurs and start-ups, small farmers, artisans and unemployed people who wish to create a business. A special incentive for beginner entrepreneurs applying under the programme is an option to combine financial leasing with start-up grant assistance up to BGN 2,000. The grant scheme is financed by UNDP and the funds can be used for equipment, machinery, supplies and raw materials, insurance, advertising, licenses, etc.

In the beginning of 2006 the Business Centre officially presented its long-term strategy for the period 2006-2010 and its work plan for 2006. The priority areas for the Business Centre over the next five years focus on improving workforce capabilities, ensuring better participation in the job market and promoting entrepreneurship. To achieve these goals, the centre will also provide job intermediary services linking job-seekers with potential employers.

BC Statistics until 15 October 2006:

• 123 people assisted to find employment
• Over 1,330 consultations and business services provided to local companies, farmers and unemployed people
• 167 minority members from Pazardjik and the region trained in vocational courses for cooks, seminars for agricultural producers, motivational courses, job-searching skills and Start-Your-Business training designed by the International Labour Organization (ILO)
• 3 companies supported with leased equipment. The companies operate in transportation and agriculture and have created 9 sustainable jobs.
• Local enterprises presented in two editions of the specialised fair for Roma crafts, business and culture Romany World at the International Fair in Plovdiv. Products of local artisans were also sold at the Christmas Craft Fair organised by the JOBS Project in Sofia.

The Business Centre in Pazardjik is part of a countrywide network of
42 business centres established under JOBS project. All of these centres replicate an effective business support model pilot tested in Bulgaria by the
United Nations Development Programme.

June 20 2006

Business Starters in Veliko Tarnovo, Targovishte and Stara Zagora
Can Get BGN 20,000 Grants from Project 100

On 20 June 2006, the Minister of Economy and Energy Rumen Ovcharov, and the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Lene Jespersen, announced the new expansion of Project 100, under which grants amounting from BGN 10,000 to 20,000 will be extended to those who propose ides for viable small businesses in three new districts in Bulgaria. Citizens wishing to apply under Project 100 need to submit a written application for the start up of a small business in the JOBS Project Businesses Centers in Kazanlak (for the district of Stara Zagora), Poliski Trambesh (for the district of Veliko Tarnovo) and Targovishte.

In 2006, too, the project will be open for participation to private individuals who are Bulgarian citizens and show good results in a specialized test to be held at the end of their 10-day training under the project. Subsequent to this, they will be asked to develop in some detail a viable idea, to defend their business plan at a national contests and register their company. In order to receive a grant, an applicant need to contribute 20% of its value in own funding for the start of operations.

Beginner companies will receive comprehensive support form the JOBS Business Center ranging form business development services to leased equipment. Preference will be given to business ideas that involve the use of ICT, the development of new products/ services, new technical solutions, new technologies, implementation of energy-saving and environmentally-friendly technologies, alignment of operations with EU standards.

Project 100, or "Establishment of Competitive Start-up Companies", to use its full title, is an initiative of the Ministry of Economy and Energy, which has already provided BGN 3.4 million for its implementation. The project is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and has been active for there years already. Its pilot phase was in 2004 in the districts of Vidin, Dobrich, Silistra and Shumen, and in 2005 reached the districts of Yambol, Montana, Sliven and Pazardzhik.

As of beginning of June 2006, the number of new companies started up under the project stood at 145 and the number of personas trained at 600. Grant funding has been used to start up small companies in mechanical engineering, chemical products, food processing and the light industries, rural tourism, furniture production and many other fields.

April 20 2006

Press Release

JOBS Project Expands Business Support Network

The JOBS Project Steering Committee chaired by Minister of Labour and Social Policy Emilia Maslarova held a meeting on 19 April 2006. The committee members gave high appraisal to the project results achieved in 2005. The meeting was attended by Deputy Social Minister Dimiter Dimitrov, the UNDP Resident Representative Neil Buhne and the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Lene Jespersen.

Since that start of the project until end-March 2006, the JOBS business centers have assisted in the creation of 18,700 jobs. They have provided 48,100 consulting services and have trained more than 25,440 people; 991 small companies and start-up entrepreneurs have benefited from financial leases totaling BGN 9.14m. Clients come from various industries: wood-processing enterprises, apparel companies, bakeries, service providers, farmers, etc. Unemployed people can use preferential terms under the Start-with-Leasing mechanism, offering up to BGN 5,000 over four years. More than 5% of leases have gone to jobless people who have launched their own business.

The JOBS Project annual work plan for 2006 involves continuation of current activities and launch of several new initiatives. An application campaign will be launched in May in the region of Kozloduy, Mizia and Oryahovo for access to grants for start-up entrepreneurs. The small grant scheme is funded by the UK Department for Trade and Industry with GBP 30,000. People with viable entrepreneurial ideas will receive comprehensive business training and will write competitive business plans to use start-up grants up to BGN 15,000. Implementation will follow the grant model of Project 100.

In 2006, the JOBS business network with add two new Business Advisory and Information Centers in Lovech and Haskovo financed by the Ministry of Economy and Energy. The centers will have window offices in Lovech, Lukovit, Troyan, Letnitsa, Yablanitsa, Haskovo, Dimirovgrad, Ivailovgrad and Topolovgrad to reach out to more local enterprises and farmers. Information and advisory support will focus on EU programs, standards and requirements, and the business implications of accession.

Introduction of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) will be supported through two initiatives funded by the Ministry of Economy and Energy. This year 158 bread and confectionery micro enterprises will be able to use free training and consulting assistance, and dairy enterprises will access grants to introduce the HACCP system.

Activities will continue under the special component "Support to Producers of Herbs and Alternative Agriculture" (HAAP). It replicates the pilot JOBS in Herbs initiative launched with funds from the Norwegian government at the end of 2002. Currently the project has a HAAP network of eight centers in Velingrad, Polski Trambesh, Byala Slatina, Dulovo, Karlovo, Elhovo, Teteven and Parvomai. On-site agronomists provide consultations to farmers. Demonstration fields, storage and drying facilities are being set up. To date the centers have trained 623 agricultural producers and unemployed people, 242 of which received free seedlings and set up farming businesses. The beneficiaries have created new plantations on 469 decares. A priority for the HAAP network in 2006 will be development of organic farming.

Announcement is pending of new regions which will be included in Project 100 in 2006. The project is financed by the Ministry of Economy and Energy and at end-2005 reported 92 start-up enterprises that effectively launched operations with grants from the project. Nearly 600 people were trained. Another 53 beginner entrepreneurs took their grant certificates in January 2006. The new enterprises operate primarily in machine building, the chemical industry, food and light industries, furniture manufacturing, rural tourism, and the service sector.

JOBS for Roma is a pilot initiative setting up two business centers in large Roma neighborhoods in Burgas and Pazardjik. The establishment and functioning of the centers is financed by the Swedish International Development Agency. By the end of March the centers have provided 2,960 information and consulting services to local beneficiaries. Clients were helped to create or expand a business, register their enterprise, and apply for loans and leases. More than 270 minority members completed specialized training, and 64 people found jobs. Ten companies began or enlarged operations thanks to financial leases. The two business centers have long-term strategies for the period 2006-2010 focusing on entrepreneurship development and employment creation in minority communities. In 2006 the two centers will be licensed to provide employment brokerage services in order to facilitate Roma job placement.

Activities in support of artisans, investment promotion and tourism will be carried out by the business centers' association, the National Business Development Network (NBDN). NBDN runs a nationally licensed Vocational Training Center (VTC), providing courses in 69 professions and 78 specialties. Last year the VTC carried out 462 courses for more than 4,100 participants. Between January and March, the center has trained 493 people.

JOBS Project

Job Opportunities through Business Support (JOBS) is a project of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy supported by UNDP. Implementation started at the end of 2000 and will continue until the end of 2007. The JOBS Project has a network of 40 business centers and 10 business incubators across Bulgaria in communities facing high unemployment. The project promotes local economic development and provides support to beginner entrepreneurs, micro and small companies, farmers and unemployed people wishing to start a business, thereby contributing to sustainable employment. The centers deliver an innovative and comprehensive business support package including advisory assistance, training, market information and access to financial leasing. In 2003 the business centers joined in a business support association called the National Business Development Network. The NBDN will continue to be involved in various activities that were successfully tested under JOBS Project. This will ensure the network's effective operations in support of local business after the end of the project.

February 21 2006

JOBS Business Centres in Pazardjik and Burgas
Promote Their Strategies and Work Plans until 2010

On 16 February the JOBS Project Business Centre (BC) in Burgas officially presented to the public its strategy for 2006-2010 and the Business Centre's work plan for 2006. The presentation was attended by Ms. Anna Olsson, Deputy Head of Mission, Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden to Bulgaria; Mr. Neil Buhne, UNDP Resident Representative to Bulgaria; Mr. Atanas Boshev, Deputy Mayor of Burgas; partner organisations, local stakeholders and beneficiaries. The donor organisations' representatives visited three start-up companies provided with equipment by the Business Centre.

On 21 February the JOBS Project Business Centre in Pazardjik also presented its strategy to the local community. The presentation was attended by H.E. Bertil Roth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Bulgaria, Mr. Neil Buhne, UNDP Resident Representative to Bulgaria, Mr. Ivan Evstatiev, Mayor of Pazardjik municipality, and local stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The Business Centres' priorities over the next five years focus on increasing workforce employability, helping people to find more satisfying jobs in the labour market, and supporting entrepreneurship. The Business Centres will also provide employment mediation services.

The establishment of the BCs in Burgas and Pazardjik is financed by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), which provided US$ 700,000. The goal of the two Business Centres is to provide better opportunities to minority members to find jobs, to improve their skills and to create new businesses. The Business Centres work in cooperation with a broad network of local institutions and organisations. They place special emphasis on changing the attitudes of employers about the workforce potential of minority communities.

The local partners of BC Burgas are the municipality, the Meden Rudnik Labour Office, the Burgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, private sector representatives and non-government organisations supporting minorities. BC Pazardjik partners at the local level with the municipality, the Labour Office, private sector representatives and non-government organisations supporting minorities.

The two Business Centres are open for all start-ups and active entrepreneurs, and for unemployed people who want to find employment or to set up their own business. They provide motivational training combined with job-searching skills as well as vocational training courses. By request from employers respective staff are trained in various professions. Unemployed people get training under special programmes. Other BC services include advisory support; market information, business-to-business contacts with Bulgarian and international partners, assistance with writing business plans and project proposals, and organised participation in fairs and various events in Bulgaria and abroad.

The Business Centres in Burgas and Pazardjik operate a financial leasing fund for purchase of production equipment, agricultural machinery, and equipment for service sector companies. Active and start-up businesses can use financial leases up to BGN 25,000, while the Start-with-Leasing mechanism, offering up to BGN 5,000 is exclusively targeting unemployed people registered at the Labour Offices.

Both Business Centres operate from temporary offices. The new building of BC Burgas, which will be constructed on a land plot provided in Pobeda neighbourhood by the municipality, is expected to be ready in June. Renovation of the building for BC Pazardjik, offered by the municipality in Iztok neighbourhood, is also due this summer. In their new premises the centres will have a training hall, an information technology centre, a reception area and offices for the BC staff.

The centres in Burgas and Pazardjik are members of a countrywide network of 40 Business Centres established under JOBS Project. The centres replicate an effective pilot model tested in Bulgaria by UNDP. The Job Opportunities through Business Support (JOBS) Project is implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Results of BC Burgas in 2005
In 2005 the Business Centre provided vocational training in hairdressing and cooking to 80 minority members together with a motivational course to seek and find employment. Five companies, three of which were start-ups, obtained leases. At the International Fair in Plovdiv the BC presented Roma companies at Romany World, a fair dedicated to Roma Handicrafts, Business & Culture.

Results of BC Pazardjik in 2005
Vocational training for cooks and motivational training was provided to 25 minority members. One farmer used a financial lease to buy equipment, while two clients were assisted in getting loans from the Nachala cooperative and a local bank. The Business Centre presented local Roma companies at the Romany World fair in Plovdiv. Local artisans were promoted at the JOBS Project Annual Holiday Craft fair in December 2005 in Sofia.

January 11 2006

53 Small Entrepreneurs Start in Business with Grants under Project 100

Another 53 small firms will start in business with grants under the second cycle of Project 100 for 2005. The awardees received their grant certificates from the Minister of Economy and Energy Mr. Rumen Ovcharov and the UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Neil Buhne at an official ceremony in Sofia on 11 January 2006. In 2005, Project 100 was implemented in four districts of Bulgaria: Montana, Sliven, Pazardjik and Yambol. The maximum grant amount is BGN 15,000 (USD 8,500).

The winners in the best business plan contest will use the money from Project 100 to set up new small enterprises in machine building, production of chemicals, foods and furniture, light industries and the service sector. A start-up entrepreneur in Sliven will create a company to design, install and maintain renewable energy sources, and one of the new enterprises in Peshtera will offer integrated engineering solutions for the communications industry. A facility in Elhovo will be producing natural and artificial fibers made from scrap yarns and raw materials. A new digital center in Montana will make cuts and markers for the tailoring industry. Other businesses will operate in rural and green tourism, or will provide everyday services.

"Creating Competitive Start-up Enterprises" (Project 100) is an initiative of the Ministry of Energy and Economy supported by the United Nations Development Programme. The project is implemented locally by the JOBS business centers. Project 100 was piloted in 2004 in the districts of Vidin, Dobrich, Silistra and Shumen. By the end of 2005, the project enabled the start of 92 new companies and trained more than 600 applicants. Until now the Ministry of Economy and Energy has financed Project 100 with an overall budget of BGN 2.4 million.

December 13, 2005

Holiday Craft Fair on at NDK

Mr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy; and Mr. Neil Buhne, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme will open the Fifth Holiday Craft Fair on 14 December 2005 at the National Palace of Culture.

The event is organized by the National Business Development Network, the association of the JOBS Business Centers. The fair, which will bring from 15 to 18 December to Hall 9 a colourful array of articles created by master craftsmen, has again Best of Bulgaria as its motto.

This year the JOBS business centers have selected over 15,000 articles made by over 150 artisans from across Bulgaria. Prominence is given to works and craftsmen that preserve and enrich the authentic local artistic tradition.

Visitors will be able to choose from a wide range of articles ranging from silver jewelry, ceramic utensils, wall decorations, pure wool blankets, silk scarves, wrought copper. Displayed on individual stalls is a wealth of unique fabrics, knitted items, carved wood, wooden toys. There will be again the fresh sight of the traditional New Year's twig, the survachka, bearing its coded messages for health and success in the coming year. Nedko Nedev from Dobrich will display for the first time his works on hand-made paper, and Dimitar Neykov from Novi Pazar will make a debut with the metal-plated articles he manufactures.

The fair will also have a demonstration programme enabling craftsmen to introduce guests to their trades. Evgeniy Rusev and Atanas Orlov from the Gengera Crafts Park in Aytos will share with the fair visitors the secretes of the making of traditional wrought copper utensils and traditional pottery. Stefka Tinkova from Lovech will demonstrate how her exquisite jewelry is made.

Participating with a rich collection of souvenirs, knitting wool, fabrics and wood and ceramic accessories is also Zhivot from Vidin, a cooperative of disabled people who following wood carving and weaving training with the local business center started up their own business.

Among the fair's traditional participants is Crafts House from Nova Zagora with a brightly couloured display of articles made by local masters and their colleagues from across the country.

Presented during the fair will be the electronic crafts catalogue bgcrafts.info developed by the team of the Straldzha Business Center within the framework of the JOBS project. The new media provides access to a variety of information for both craftsmen and their customers. With the new catalogue craftsmen are able to participate in it online, to create their own profile, while customers can shop online at bgcrafts.com.

The JOBS Project ("Job Opportunities through Business Support"), implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy with the support of the United Nations Development Programme is currently active in 45 Bulgarian municipalities where it has established efficient business centers, incubators and advice services.

The JOBS Business Centers aim to generate jobs through comprehensive support for local micro and small businesses. The National Business Development Network, the Business Centers' association, implements a range of initiatives for the development of the textile and apparel sector, herbs cultivation and organic farming, tourism, woodprocessing and crafts.

The Holiday Fair is part of the association's programme for supporting people with artisan skills and providing to them opportunities for successful business. Thanks to this support, to date tens of artisans have set out in business on their own and expand their business contacts domestically and internationally.

For further information, please contact: (02) 976 78 17

 

July 20, 2005

30 New Small Firms Kick Off with Grants from Project 100

Thirty new small firms will be created with grants up to BGN 15,000 (approx. USD 10,000), awarded in the first cycle of Project 100 in 2005. The grant award certificates were conferred by the Minister of Economy Mr. Milko Kovachev at an official ceremony held in Sofia on 20 July 2005. The future entrepreneurs were addressed on behalf of Mr. Neil Buhne, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme to Bulgaria.

In 2005, Project 100 is being implemented in the regions of Montana, Sliven, Pazardjik and Yambol. An expert panel ranked 30 applicants out of 81 business plans competing for grant financing in order to set up new companies. The main criterion during the business plan assessment was to present a viable business idea that would materialize in a competitive new business. Integration of information technologies and introduction of new products and services were also an advantage.

The winners in the national competition will use Project 100 grants to create small enterprises in textiles, furniture manufacturing, machine building, food processing, Internet communications and software development, as well as application of alternative energy sources. A grant in Sliven will finance the production of eco briquettes; another grant in Peshtera will support the operations of a start-up builder of gas and heating installations. Within a couple of months, a new plastic processing plant will be launched in Elhovo to produce bottles, cans, containers and other packaging. A modern auto repair service will open its doors in Montana. Other supported projects will develop rural tourism, ecotourism, and everyday services.

The second project cycle will be launched in August. Applications will be collected by the JOBS Business Centers in Montana, Sliven, Peshtera and Elhovo.

The applicants must be Bulgarian citizens willing to set up a micro or small enterprise in one of the four project regions. They must pass a test at the end of a training course organized by the project. The next step is to develop a viable business plan and successfully present it in a national contest. Finally, the successful applicants must register a new enterprise. In order to access project financing, the entrepreneurs must provide 20 per cent of the requested grant, thereby making a personal contribution to the business.

Other things equal, priority will be given to applicants whose business ideas involve use of information technology, application of new products/services, know-how, innovative technical solutions and production technologies, introduction of energy saving and environmentally friendly technologies, and bringing operations in line with EU standards.

Grant money will go for purchase of equipment, software and start-up inventory. Overhaul and refurbishment of production space will be eligible for financing, but the cost of labor will not be covered. The money may be invested in staff training and re-training, product development, or transfer of know-how to boost the competitiveness of the start-up business.

Entrepreneurs that have active businesses may apply under Project 100 with a new business idea that will not replicate current operations. Candidates that have been rejected in the first project cycle may reapply by submitting a new business idea.

The grant award program will not support the creation of trade and agricultural enterprises or business ventures dealing in insurance, financial brokerage and gambling, production of alcohol and tobacco products, weapons or any form of environmentally hazardous production.

"Creating Competitive Start-up Enterprises" (Project 100) is an initiative of the Ministry of Economy, which has provided the BGN 2,1m project budget. The project's implementation is supported by the United Nations Development Programme and is carried out by the JOBS Business Centers in the target districts. Project 100 was launched in April 2004 on a pilot basis in the districts of Vidin, Dobrich, Silistra and Shumen. Last year, 67 entrepreneurs were approved to access grants under the project. The funding resulted in new machine-building plants, furniture enterprises, glass and ceramic workshops, software development for automated hydro-plant control systems, and rural tourism.

The start-up businesses receive full-scale assistance from the JOBS Business Centers. In addition to a wide array of business support services, the new firms may buy equipment under the JOBS Project financial leasing scheme.

29 November 2004

Fourth Holiday Craft Fair Presented the Best of Bulgaria

More than 8,500 products by 145 Bulgarian artisans were exhibited on November 27-28th in Grand Hotel Sofia in the capital city during the Holiday Craft Fair "The Best of Bulgaria". The Minister of Labour and Social Policy Ms. Christina Christova and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme to Bulgaria, Mr. Neil Buhne, opened the fair, which this year took place for a fourth time. The fair was organized by the National Business Development Network (NBDN), which is an association of Business Centers and Business Incubators working under the JOBS Project.

The visitors could choose from a cornucopia of Christmas gifts including fine silver jewelry, ceramics, woolen blankets, silk scarves, wrought copper, wood carvings, textiles, wooden toys, and Christmas ornaments. Interesting activities and opportunities entertained the guests. Music lovers had a chance to test their skills with a traditional collection of musical instruments: gadulka, duduk and bagpipes. Velika Petkova showed the visitors the art of weaving colorful Chiprovski rugs on a vertical loom, and Stefka Tinkova from Lovech made exclusive jewels for her customers, decorating silver with amber, turquoise, mother-of-pearl, river pearls, and amethyst. Her skills aroused tremendous interest, while she took and finished orders on the spot for virtually ten minutes.

The artist Irina Urumova, who is a familiar face for the visitors from the previous Holiday Craft Fairs, made demonstrations of painting on silk and found new admirers of her talent. The ceramic artist Boryana Denkova from Alfatar sculpted little clay balls into comic characters from popular Bulgarian folk tales, arresting the attention of adults and children alike. Alexei Nikolov from Dobrich was a first-time participant in the fair and his collection of silver and horn jewelry attracted many new customers.

The Craft Fair is part of the NBDN's program to assist Bulgarian artisans by providing a supportive environment for them to initiate successful craft businesses. Assistance covers various aspects of their work, from product improvements and diversification to modern marketing approaches and gaining new markets.

Thanks to the support they have received, dozens of Bulgarian craft makers have launched independent businesses and benefit from direct contacts with Bulgarian and international companies. Hand-made items by artisans supported through the JOBS Project are available all year round at the Traditiza Gallery in Sofia, from the electronic craft shop www.craftcenter.org making world-wide deliveries, from the shop's version for the Bulgarian market, www.bgcrafts.com, and from the House of Crafts in Nova Zagora.

15.09.2004

Conference to Discuss Public-Private Partnerships

On September 16th, Thursday, a National Conference entitled "Public-Private Partnerships: A Way to Benefit Local Communities" will take place at the Vitosha Hall of the International Expo Center in Sofia. The conference is organized by the JOBS Project in conjunction with the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria.

The Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy Mr. Rumen Simeonov and Mr. Neil Buhne, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Bulgaria, will jointly open the conference. The mayors of all 264 municipalities in Bulgaria, district governors, ministry officials and representatives of other institutions as well as donors and private businesses have been invited to attend the forum.

-- The conference aims to highlight how public-private partnerships (PPP) could contribute to speeding up local economic development, creating a better life for the people, and generally making their regions more prosperous, says JOBS Project Manager Tashka Gabrovska. -- By drawing attention to various good practices, we want to show how private businesses efficiently cooperate with the public sector and adequately respond to the needs of the local communities.

Can the people in any community raise their living standards without direct support from the government? Witold Rogowiecki from the municipality of Plock in Poland and Jaroslaw Cholodecki, Project Manager with UNDP Poland, will tell the participants at the conference how partnership in Plock rapidly transformed life as well as businesses. The vision of the Bulgarian Government regarding public-private partnerships will come from official speakers from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

The conference will demonstrate the experience and achievements of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in promoting partnerships that powerfully bring forth public benefit. In this country, 115 companies have joined the UN Global Compact Initiative, tracing the practical dimensions of corporate social responsibility. The audience will also learn about the JOBS Project model, which is in itself a form of public-private partnership having a strong impact on local economic development. A member of the Bulgarian International Business Association (BIBA) will share ideas about the further development of public-private partnerships.

The specific community benefits from the work of various partner organizations and companies hold a prominent place on the forum's agenda. The participants will hear presentations from the ESI Center Bulgaria, the Public Bee Farm and Training Center in Novi Pazar, Ecopack Bulgaria JSC, the Gabrovo Community Donation Fund, Pain d'Or, and the Tourism Cluster in Smolyan.

The Job Opportunities through Business Support - JOBS Project is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy supported by UNDP. The JOBS Project has created a network of 37 Business Centers and Business Incubators across Bulgaria providing comprehensive support to local businesses to help them grow and create sustainable jobs.

27 July 2004

Project 100 Extends BGN 15,000 Grants to 35 Beginner Entrepreneurs

27 July, Granite Hall, Council of Ministers. Today the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Lydia Shouleva and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme for Bulgaria, Neil Buhne, awarded certificates to 35 future entrepreneurs. These new business men and women will receive grant assistance ranging from BGN 10,000 to 15,000 under Project 100.

"Creating Competitive Start-up Enterprises" (better known by its short title - Project 100) is an initiative of the Ministry of Economy, which has provided its overall budget of BGN 1m. The project's implementation is supported by the United Nations Development Programme. This initiative was launched in April on a pilot basis in the districts of Vidin, Dobrich, Silistra and Shumen and is implemented by the JOBS business centers in these towns.

A panel of experts selected 35 business plans from a total of 114 plans competing in a national grant contest for start-up businesses. The main selection criteria were the idea's viability and the estimated competitiveness of the future business. Integration of information technologies and introduction of new products and services were also an advantage.

Using funding from Project 100, the successful contestants will start up small businesses in the engineering industry, furniture manufacturing, ceramics and glass production, and development of automated control software in water power plants. One start-up enterprise in Shumen will process household waste into an organic product, while another grant in Vidin will establish public communication centers. Other projects have to do with rural and eco-tourism and everyday services.

Grant money will go into the overhaul and refurbishment of production space, purchase of equipment, software, and initial stock of materials. The money may also be invested in staff training and re-training, product development, or transfer of know-how with a view to ensuring the competitiveness of the start-up business.

The start-up businesses will receive comprehensive support from the JOBS business centers. In addition to a wide array of business development services, the newly established enterprises will be eligible to purchase machinery and equipment through the business centers' financial leasing scheme.

The second competition cycle will be announced in August. Information about the terms and conditions for applying will be available from the JOBS business centers in Dobrich, Vidin, Silistra and Shumen. The project's first cycle saw a total of 1,163 applicants from the four districts, 217 of them short-listed for the business plan contest. Prior to developing in detail their business ideas, applicants completed a course of specialized training at the JOBS business centers.

For further information:
Press Center, Ministry of Economy
Tel.: 02/ 940 74 69, 940 72 97
e-mail: public@mi.government.bg

25 June 2004

Business Center in Teteven Supports Local Entrepreneurship

The JOBS Business Center in Teteven was inaugurated on 25 June 2004. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, of the United Nations Development Programme, local government officials and many citizens. UNDP Resident Representatives from the region of Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States were among the official guests at the grand opening.

The Job Opportunities through Business Support - JOBS Project is implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy with support from UNDP. The investments todate plus the extended financing for the functioning of the business center for the next three years are in excess of BGN 300,000.

The Business Center, whose new home was unveiled at the ceremony, has been operating under the JOBS Project since August 2003. It expands and builds on the work of the Center for Sustainable Development of Teteven Municipality (CUROT). CUROT was established in 2001 with the assistance of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and UNDP as a public benefit organization. The center's building has been refurbished and expanded premises. It has a training hall, an IT center, a visitor reception area, and offices for the financial specialist and the marketing specialist. The Business Center in Teteven offers the standard package of services for the JOBS business network. They are fully tailored to meet the needs of micro and small businesses and agricultural producers, as well as unemployed people and anyone contemplating ideas to start-up an independent enterprise. The goal is to enhance employment opportunities and spur the economic development of the community by stimulating small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

The Business Center in Teteven provides full access to the Internet, market information, consultations, contacts with Bulgarian and international companies, and assistance in writing business plans and project proposals. It offers organized participation in fairs and trade shows in Bulgaria and abroad. The Business Center also delivers training in computer skills and internet skills, language courses and staff vocational training on request from employers. The training programs designed for unemployed people include a Start-Your-Business course and the specialized module Start-Your-Tourism-Business.

The Business Center operates a financial leasing fund available for purchasing production equipment, agricultural machinery or equipment for service sector enterprises. Existing and start-up micro and small businesses can use financial leases up to BGN 25,000, whereas the Start-with-Leasing mechanism, offering up to BGN 5,000, is exclusively targeting unemployed people registered at the Labour Offices. The Business Center in Teteven has already provided more than 100 consultations and information services to clients and has granted seven financial leases to local woodworking enterprises, textile companies and tourism businesses.

The center has gained extensive experience in the field of tourism under various projects and has been competitively selected to implement the JOBS in Tourism component. The center will develop specific tourist products and services, itineraries to interesting natural sights in the region, and support tourist companies in the region to join efforts and promote local tourist products in this country and abroad.

The Business Center in Teteven started actively working under the JOBS Project component supporting local producers of herbs and alternative agricultural products. The initiative covers trainings and consultations, creation of herb plantations, processing and sales of production as well as establishment of herb producer groups.

The Business Center in Teteven is part of the extensive business network established under the JOBS Project throughout Bulgaria. Since May 2003, the JOBS Project has encompassed 13 new organizations and now integrates 37 business centers. All of the centers have been created according to an effective and replicable model tested in Bulgaria by UNDP.

12 May 2004

JOBS Unveils New Business Center in Peshtera

On May 12th the JOBS Project officially unveiled its new Business Center in the town of Peshtera. The ceremony was honored by Mr Rumen Simonov, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Mr Neil Buhne, UNDP Resident Representative to Bulgaria, the Regional Governor of Pazardjik Region as well as Members of Parliament from the region, and attracted many people from the community.
The Job Opportunities through Business Support - JOBS Project is implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and is supported by UNDP. The investment so far and the project funding for the functioning of the office in Peshtera for a period of 3 years is in excess of BGN 400,000.

The Business Center, whose new building will be inaugurated now, started operating in August 2003. This has been the first inauguration of a new center in one of the 11 municipalities that joined in the JOBS Project's expansion last year. The center has a training hall, Internet center, reception area and offices for the financial consultant and the marketing consultant. The services offered by the Business Center in Peshtera are of the standard setup for the JOBS network. They are fully tailored to meet the needs of micro and small businesses and agricultural producers, as well as unemployed people and anyone contemplating ideas to start-up an independent enterprise. The goal is to increase employment and spur the economic development of the community by stimulating small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

The Business Center in Peshtera provides full access to the Internet, market information, consultations, contacts with Bulgarian and international companies, assistance in writing business plans and project proposals. It makes arrangements for organized participation in fairs and trade shows in Bulgaria and abroad. The Business Center also delivers training in computer skills and Internet skills, language courses and vocational training for employees on request from employers. The training programs designed for unemployed people include a Start-Your-Business course and the specialized module Start-Your-Tourism-Business.

The Business Center operates a financial leasing fund available for purchasing productive equipment, agricultural machinery or equipment for service sector enterprises. Existing and start-up businesses can use financial leases up to BGN 25,000, whereas the Start-with-Leasing scheme, offering up to BGN 5,000, is targeting exclusively unemployed people registered at the Labour Offices. The Business Center in Peshtera has already provided more than 140 consulting and information services to clients and has facilitated a number of business contacts. By the middle of this year it will start running a Tourist Information Center, which will support local entrepreneurs in tourism businesses and will enhance coordination within the industry. The Tourist Information Center will work for pooling together the efforts of tourism businesses in the region and for promoting local tourist products nationally and internationally.

The Business Center in Peshtera is part of the extensive business network established under the JOBS Project across Bulgaria. Since May 2003, the JOBS Project has encompassed 37 business centers. All of the centers have been created according to an effective and replicable model pilot tested in Bulgaria by UNDP.

For further information please contact our PR office at (02) 976 78 17

18 March 2004

Project 100 Kicks Off After the Easter Holidays

The emergence of 100 new micro and small enterprises is the planned output of the new JOBS Project component entitled Creating Competitive Start-up Companies. The initiative is inspired by the Ministry of Economy under the short-hand title Project 100 and will be implemented in four regions of the country that have functioning JOBS business centers. These are the districts of Vidin, Dobrich, Silistra and Shumen. The nascent enterprises must base operations in one of these areas. The project will effectively start off immediately after the Easter holidays, on 13 April 2004.

Following a pre-screening process, the beginning entrepreneurs will receive training and will develop full-blown business plans for their prospective businesses. The business plans will compete in a contest and the best ideas will be supported under the new component. An advantage for the candidates will be to utilize Information Technology (IT) and innovative products in their production enterprises or service businesses. In order to kick-start the enterprise, they will receive grants up to BGN 15,000 (in addition to the personal financial contribution required from each candidate) and access to financial leasing provided by the JOBS Project. The program will not be accessible for creation of commercial and agricultural enterprises or business ventures dealing in insurance, financial brokerage and gambling, production of alcohol and tobacco products, weapons or any form of environmentally hazardous production. The new companies created under the project will receive full-scale assistance from the JOBS business centers.

Complete information about the requirements towards applicants interested in the Project 100, is available at the JOBS business centers in these four regions:

Vidin District Silistra District
RDA Business Center - Vidin Business Center/ Business Incubator - Silistra
Business Incubator 49 Simeon Veliki Street
Saedinenie Complex; block 8 tel. (086) 82 16 65; fax (086) 82 20 12
tel./fax (094) 60 11 80; 60 00 18 e-mail: abc@abc-silistra.org
e-mail: arrbc@bcvidin.org

Dobrich District Shumen District
Business Center - Dobrich Business Center / Business Incubator - Shumen
1 General Kiselov Street, 5 floor 130 Tzar Osvoboditel Street
tel./fax (058) 2 93 21 tel./fax (054) 80 06 29
e-mail: bcdobrich@jobs-bg.org e-mail: office@abcshumen.org

 

16.03.2004

Press Release

JOBS Project Starts New Components in Support of Small Businesses

The JOBS Project Steering Committee, which is chaired by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Christina Christova, met on 16 March 2004 to discuss the results achieved by the JOBS network of business centers last year. The revised JOBS Project strategy was unveiled along with the new project components that will be implemented until 2006.

Since the launch of the project until the end of 2003, the JOBS business centers have contributed to creating 8,600 new jobs. They have provided 15,091 consulting services and have trained more than 10,800 people in various specialized training courses. During this period, 352 start-up and existing small enterprises from numerous industries have accessed financial leasing totaling BGN 5.3 million. The leasing clients are furniture manufacturers, sewing companies and agricultural businesses, confections producers and bread-makers, service companies and many others. The Start-with Leasing scheme, which was launched in August 2003 and is specifically tailored for unemployed people registered at the Labor Offices, is also operating successfully. Unemployed people that have ideas for independent businesses can use leased equipment worth up to BGN 5,000 with 6 months of grace on the lease. The repayment period is 4 years.

In addition to continuing and expanding current components, the updates to the JOBS Project strategy envisage the launch of new initiatives. The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has allocated BGN 2.660 million for the implementation of these components in the next two years.

The new integrated component for Supporting Producers of Herbs and Alternative Agricultural Products (HAAP) will expand the regional coverage and activities under the pilot JOBS in HERBS initiative, which started in December 2002 with financial support from the Kingdom of Norway. Two herb hubs, established under the JOBS in HERBS component, are already operational in North and South Bulgaria. Together with another 2 centers, again to be created with Norwegian financing, they will form part of the planned network in support of herb growers and organic farmers, which will incorporate 8 support facilities. Each of these consulting centers will have an agronomist on board to deliver extension services to the producers. The centers will also have training halls, trial plots and drying facilities for herbs, fruits and vegetables. The component is expected to generate 1,600 jobs until the end of 2005. More than 1,000 unemployed people and petty farmers will receive training in contemporary cultivation practices for herbs and alternative agricultural crops. An important aspect of this component is finding stable markets for herbs and alternative agricultural products as well as organic certification of local producer groups.

The JOBS in Handicrafts component will also add on some new elements. This initiative will continue to support traditional craft makers to develop entrepreneurial skills, raise incomes and generate new jobs. The project has already created distribution and promotion channels for handicraft products in Bulgaria and abroad and will continue to strengthen and spread out these opportunities in the coming two years. The e-shop www.craftcenter.org, which was created one year ago, has become a popular venue for on-line sale of traditional Bulgarian craft products and has customers from all corners of the world. The House of Crafts in Nova Zagora, the Traditzia Gallery in Sofia and the Annual Christmas Craft Fair are other outlets that the JOBS Project will continue to develop in support of local artisans.

The JOBS in TOURISM component will focus on supporting small family businesses providing Bed-&-Breakfast in rural regions as well as promoting the JOBS communities. 15 of the business centers will develop specialized tourist services, including by offering regional and theme itineraries. A web-based information and on-line booking system will be launched in 2004. The JOBS business centers have planned to deliver expert assistance to 150 tourism businesses, to create 350 jobs in this sector and to train 150 people in various skills related to the tourism industry.

JOBS for ROMA is a pilot initiative, which plans to establish business centers in two large Roma neighborhoods in Sofia and Burgas. The JOBS model will be applied to create employment and income opportunities for these Roma communities. Specific tools will be employed such as vocational training and skill development in order to promote business culture; and consulting assistance to start-up and existing businesses, including access to financial leasing. The business center in Sofia will support clients from different sectors, whereas in Burgas efforts will concentrate on job creation in the locally dynamic tourism industry. The two centers will assist in creating 400 sustainable jobs and 300 indirect jobs, and will help in establishing 50 start-up enterprises. The establishment and functioning of the two business centers in Roma communities is financed by the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden.

JOBS Project

Job Opportunities through Business Support - JOBS is a project of the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy supported by the United Nations Development Programme. It started at the end of 2000 and will be implemented until 2006. The JOBS Project has established a network of 37 business centers and business incubators in municipalities with high unemployment levels. Through this network, the project supports local economic development and provides assistance to beginning entrepreneurs, micro and small companies and farmers, thereby contributing to sustainable employment generation. The business centers offer a new type of business service that integrates consulting, training, market information and access to financial leasing. In 2003 the JOBS business centers joined together in an association called the National Business Development Network (NBDN). The JOBS project will continue to transfer experience and know-how into the association and NBDN will gradually take over the implementation of activities that have been successfully tested under the JOBS project. This will guarantee the effective functioning of the business support network after the end of the project.

02.12.2003

Holiday Craft Fair Presents "The Best of Bulgaria"

Over 8,000 items from 90 artisans across the country are presented at this year's Best of Bulgaria Holiday Craft Fair, organized by the National Business Development Network, an association of the JOBS project business centers. The Craft Fair is going to be held in the first weekend of December (December 6th and 7th), 2003, and by tradition Radisson SAS Grand Hotel generously donates its facilities for this exhibition of Bulgarian crafts.

This year the visitors will be able to choose from a stunning variety of hand-crafted products: exquisite silver jewelry, ceramics, pure wool blankets, silk scarves, wrought copper items, wood carvings, unique textiles and knitted work. Guests will see a remarkable live demonstration by Assya Assenova, who will masterfully transform the threads on her loom into cheerfully patterned fabrics. Boriana Mocheva will reveal the secrets of painting on silk and everyone with a sweet tooth will have an opportunity to taste and buy delicious wild berry jams from Velingrad.

The unique Bulgarian arts and crafts presented at the Holiday Craft Fair can be found all year round at the Traditzia Gallery in Sofia, which offers you the best choice of elegant gifts. Another option for the web-minded is the electronic shop www.craftcenter.org, which has been running at full speed for a year now and is promoting Bulgarian traditional crafts worldwide. Before the year's end, the House of Crafts in Nova Zagora will open its doors, offering more than 10,000 craft items produced by artisans across Bulgaria.

The Job Opportunities through Business Support (JOBS) Project is implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy with the support of the United Nations Development Programme.

New JOBS Municipalities Accept Memoranda of Understanding

On 30 July 2003 the Minister of Labor and Social Policy Hristina Hristova will present Memoranda of Understanding to the mayors of 11 new municipalities that will be included in the expansion of the JOBS project this year. The ceremony will take place in the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers from 11 a.m. The memoranda endorse concrete commitments for the successful implementation of the JOBS project by all partners engaged in the process - the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the respective municipalities. Ms Minna Tyrkko, UNDP Resident Representative a.i., will also attend the ceremony.

The new municipalities where JOBS will create business centers were unveiled on 27 May 2003. These are Montana, Byala Slatina, Teteven, Svishtov, Dobrich, Peshtera, Panagyurishte, Blagoevgrad, Harmanli, Parvomai and Kazanlak. Several factors played a role in the selection, such as high unemployment levels, strong entrepreneurial activity within the communities, and local support for business development. The municipalities that are joining the second phase of the JOBS project are also making a financial contribution in the range of 8,000 - 20,000 leva depending on the size of the population. In addition to these 11 communities, new members of the JOBS project are the business incubators in Pernik and Malko Tarnovo that were established under the MLSP's Steel and Mining Areas Employment Project (SMAEP).

The Job Opportunities through Business Support Project - JOBS is an initiative of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the United Nations Development Programme, which started in the late year 2000. The JOBS project promotes local economic development and supports start-up entrepreneurs, micro and small enterprises and agricultural producers to grow and create new jobs. The vehicle for attaining these goals is the JOBS network of business centers. The project investment for the establishment and strengthening of one business center amounts to about $200,000.

Currently, the JOBS project has 24 functioning business centers throughout the country with physical business incubators attached in seven of the communities. The centers provide a new, complex business service which integrates consulting, training, market information and access to financial leasing.

By the end of June 2003 the JOBS project has created 7,617 sustainable long-term jobs. The business centers have provided consulting services to 11,107 companies and have trained more than 8,750 people. Financial leases in excess of 3 million leva have been disbursed for purchase of capital equipment to more than 200 start-up and existing small companies from various industries, notably the wood industry, apparel manufacturing, agriculture, pastry and bread producers, service companies, etc.

On 1 August 2003 the JOBS project will launch its new financial leasing mechanism for unemployed people. The scheme is called Start with Leasing and will make available to unemployed people with entrepreneurial ideas up to 5,000 leva for purchase of start-up equipment. The fund will be managed by the business centers with a 4-year repayment period and 6 months of grace.

29 May 2003

JOBS Project Expands Relations with Turkish Businesses

Sofia, 29 May 2003 - The JOBS Project hosted a meeting with an official delegation from TUGIAD, the Young Businessmen Association of Turkey. The meeting was organized with the assistance of Mr Ender Oncu, Commercial Counselor at the Turkish Embassy in Bulgaria, and marks another important step in the work of the JOBS project to promote Bulgarian businesses to foreign investors and create direct links with international business associations and organizations.

"I will be happy to promote the potential of Bulgarian entrepreneurs to all our members and partners," said Mr. Hayati Kaya, President of TUGIAD Board of Management and Vice President of the European Young Entrepreneurs Association. "The strength of the JOBS project is its network of business centers across the country. The centers work closely with the local businesses and provide the easiest way for direct contacts between Bulgarian entrepreneurs and international partners, from email and customs information to scheduling meetings and translation," explained Nikolai Russev, the team leader of the JOBS business center in Dulovo.

The business development group for Turkey is one of 20 country development groups created under the JOBS Project. They are all working in six priority sectors, where the Bulgarian enterprises are most competitive on the international market - apparel and textile, herbs and spices, the wood and furniture industry, handicrafts, tourism and alternative agriculture. The members of TUGIAD confirmed that the Turkish businessmen are mostly interested in agriculture and textiles.

The major advantage of the Bulgarian sewing factories is the free quotas that Bulgaria has for export to the United States and the coming integration of the country into the EU. These are both strategic goals for the Turkish business, Mr Kaya emphasized. Except investment opportunities his colleagues made inquiries about the possibilities for distribution of Turkish goods in Bulgaria. Leading Turkish companies took part in the meeting - representatives of construction and textile companies, plastic manufacturers, producers of car radiators and agricultural machinery.

The cooperation with the JOBS business centers has already yielded concrete results. After the promotion of Bulgarian socks manufacturers at the International Ready-to-Wear Fair in Istanbul, a matchmaking meeting was organized last autumn in Aitos between Turkish and Bulgarian manufacturers. The latest contract with a Turkish company that bought yarns from the Kyustendil enterprise "Velbujd" was signed only a couple of days ago, said at the meeting Gyuven Dumandzha, the marketing consultant at BC Dulovo, who was traveling this week with Turkish entrepreneurs that returned to Bulgaria for negotiations with local companies.

Nurdjihan Ramadan and Nikhat Kyuchuk from the JOBS team in Ruen also took part in the meeting. The JOBS Project Manager Tashka Gabrovska presented the activities of the project and Jakob Modeer, JOBS Business Development Manager, acquainted the delegation with the JOBS business site for international investors www.madeinbulgaria.info. The website presents a database of local Bulgarian enterprises from the JOBS communities.

May 27 2003

JOBS Project Will Create Business Centers in 11 New Communities

On May 27, 2003, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor and Social Policy Lidia Shuleva unveiled the 11 municipalities where the JOBS Project will open new business centers. The official announcement was delivered at the meeting of the JOBS Project Steering Committee, which is chaired by Minister Shuleva. A committee with representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has selected the new sites from 29 municipalities that competed for inclusion in the JOBS project. The new municipalities are Montana (with a window service in Berkovitsa), Byala Slatina, Teteven, Svishtov, Dobrich (with a window service in General Toshevo), Peshtera, Panagiurishte, Blagoevgrad, Harmanly, Parvomai and Kazanlak.

The prevalence of high unemployment levels has been an essential criterion in making the selection, as employment generation is a priority task for the JOBS project. The entrepreneurial activity within the communities and the existing local support for business development has also been taken into account.

With the inclusion of the new municipalities the JOBS Project is spanning on a national scale, minister Shuleva pointed out. The JOBS business centers are local non-governmental organizations providing overall support to start-up and existing micro and small businesses in their regions. The centers offer a wide range of consulting, information and office services and comprehensive training programs in various business topics. They have specialists in the fields of finance, marketing and information technology. Each business center manages a microfinancing scheme with a total fund of 200,000 leva in the form of financial leasing, accessible to entrepreneurs who wish to buy production equipment. The total investment in a JOBS business center for a period of 3 years amounts to more than 200,000 US dollars.

To date the JOBS project has created 24 business centers in various regions of the country. 11 of the sites also have business incubators. Currently work is under way for incorporating into the JOBS network the three business incubators established in Pernik, Malko Tarnovo and Sozopol under the MLSP's "Steel and Mining Areas Employment Project" (SMAEP).

By the end of April 2003 the JOBS project reports the creation of 6,907 sustainable jobs. Furthermore, some 10,067 companies have received consulting services and more than 7,986 people have completed various training courses. The JOBS business centers have disbursed financial leases for a total value of 2,553,116 leva to 164 existing and start-up micro and small enterprises from various industries - wood processing, apparel manufacturing, agriculture, bread production, servicing, etc.

The JOBS business centers work in close cooperation with the local Labor Offices and provide consultations to people applying for loans under the MLSP's Micro Credit Guarantee Fund. The centers have developed more than 200 business plans, mostly for unemployed people who want to use lending through the Guarantee Fund to found new businesses.

The "Job Opportunities through Business Support" (JOBS) Project is an initiative of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy supported by the United Nations Development Programme. It has been in existence for two and a half years and will continue until the end of 2005. The project implements specific tools for creating and strengthening micro and small businesses and promoting the generation of sustainable jobs in communities with high unemployment.

Conference Debates the Future of Business Incubators in Bulgaria

On 9 May 2003 in the National Palace of Culture a National Conference took place on "Business Incubators and Their Future in Bulgaria". The event was organized by the JOBS project.

The forum was opened by the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Radoslav Bozadjiev and the UNDP Resident Representative in Bulgaria Marta Ruedas.

Mayors from more than 70 municipalities, people from the municipal authorities and business support organizations, business incubators and tenant companies, donor organizations and commercial councilors from the foreign embassies attended the conference.

The purpose of the event was to discuss the variety of issues facing all the organizations that provide to the small and fledgling businesses the specific service called "incubation." The best practices in Bulgaria to date were presented, as well as examples of how the municipalities can most effectively support and work in partnership with the local business. Another theme was finding ways for effective cooperation between all business support institutions and organizations.

At the conference Dinah Adkins, President and CEO of the US National Business Incubation Association, gave a detailed insight into the incubator success formula and the long-standing US experience in this field. The participants received copies of a presentation by Bernd Thomas from the AGIT Regional Development Agency in Aachen, Germany, about the role of business incubation for high-technology development in the region.




Hanna Ruszczyk, JOBS Project International Adviser, and Tashka Gabrovska, JOBS Project Manager, outlined the specific features of the JOBS model. The JOBS project has created and continues to develop an extensive network of business centers and business incubators in 26 communities throughout Bulgaria. The project is based entirely on the UNDP experience in Bulgaria, which pilot tested the business center and business incubator model in the country 6 years ago. The 9 physical incubators under the JOBS project provide production premises at preferential rates to start-up or existing small enterprises. The incubator tenants also make use of a comprehensive package of business services, supplemented with access to financial leasing for the purchase of productive equipment. More than 100 local companies have received assistance in developing their business in the JOBS incubator, hiring more than 350 employees.

A separate panel was dedicated to the perspectives for the future development of the business incubators in Bulgaria with participation from the Delegation of the European Commission to Bulgaria and the national Ministry of Economy. The speakers focused on the opportunities for joining the efforts of various agencies and organizations in order to create sustainable micro and small business support organizations in Bulgaria.

The Employment Agency presented the available opportunities under the Social Investment Fund through its module "Active Labor Market Initiatives to Support New or Existing Incubators in Bulgaria."

The Job Opportunities through Business Support (JOBS) project is an initiative of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy implemented with the support of the United Nations Development Programme. The project has been in existence for two and a half years and will continue until 2005. Through a range of specialized tools the JOBS project supports the creation and strengthening of micro and small enterprises and promotes sustainable employment generation in 26 communities across Bulgaria.

The strategic focus for the JOBS project in 2003 will be the expansion of its network of business centers in 10 new communities and the implementation of the project on a national scale. This year the JOBS business centers registered a joint association.

JOBS Statistics (as of March 31, 2003)

Sustainable long-term jobs created 6,425
Disbursed financial leases (total in BGL) 2,209,940
Average lease value (in BGL) 15,346
Information Technology Centers (clients served) 49,752
Clients trained 7,665
Consulting services provided (companies served) 9,546
Marketing and production groups established 62

JOBS Statistics (as of Feb 28, 2003)

Sustainable long-term jobs created 6,070
Disbursed financial leases (total in BGL) 2,092,436
Average lease value (in BGL) 16,000
Information Technology Centers (clients served) 45,002
Clients trained 7,215
Consulting services provided (companies served) 8,969
Marketing and production groups established 55

JOBS Statistics (as of December 31, 2002)

Sustainable long-term jobs created 5,613
Temporary jobs created (in man-days) 13,428
Disbursed financial leases (total in BGL) 1,894,688
Average lease value (in BGL) 15,700
Information Technology Centers (clients served) 33,124
Clients trained 4,565
People trained in Start-Your-Business 1,567
Consulting services provided (companies served) 7,755
Marketing and production groups established 53

12.12.2002

JOBS Holiday Fair Promoted Bulgarian Handicrafts

"The Best of Bulgaria" was this year's motto for the Second Annual JOBS Project Holiday Craft Fair, held December 7 and 8, 2002. The fair again took place at Grand Hotel Radisson SAS in Sofia, which kindly hosts the exhibition free of charge.


The fair featured more than 7,000 handicraft products made by some 80 Bulgarian artisans from all over the country. The guests were able to choose from a rich and unique collection of Christmas gifts made of wood, ceramics, wrought iron, hand-woven and knitted textiles, crochet, as well as souvenirs and Christmas tree ornaments.

The initiative continues two years of efforts by the JOBS project to support the revival and development of traditional Bulgarian crafts into profitable business prospects. This year the selection was made on a much larger scale. In addition to artisans from the project communities, this time JOBS also introduced artists from other regions of Bulgaria. Many representatives of international companies, diplomats and members of Parliament visited the Holiday Craft Fair. The fair inspired many direct contacts with wholesale dealers, public relations departments of state institutions, advertising companies and organizers of trade shows and exhibitions.

In 2001 the First Craft Fair launched by the JOBS project stimulated dozens of artisans, whose skills and talent materialized in very good sales at the fair. For most of them, that important message was the crucial step to developing their own successful business. Among others, the JOBS project changed the professional life of Djefer Muharem from the village of Chernik. Through the assistance of the JOBS Business Center in Dulovo, he participated in last year's fair and for the first time offered for sale his beautiful miniature musical instruments. His crafts sold out within hours and this was only the beginning. A steady flow of orders followed through the business center and Djefer is already planning to open his own workshop, where he will be able to train apprentices.

The cheerful and colorful wooden puzzles produced by Sasho Ivanov from Kubrat have also enjoyed great popularity and Sasho has been quite busy since last December. Sasho has his puzzles at the Traditzia Showroom where they have attracted a great following. He exhibited at specialized fairs in Targovishte, Isperih and Varna and now the JOBS Business Center in Kubrat assists him in making contacts with interested companies from Switzerland, France and Germany. After significant sales at the JOBS Craft Fair in 2001, the lace table linen made by Ani Yoveva from Samokov has reached many homes in the United States and Western Europe.

The JOBS Project is implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since the end of 2000.
Through a variety of business development tools the JOBS Project supports the Bulgarian micro and small companies in regions hit by high unemployment to grow and to create sustainable jobs.

10.12.2002

Norway Funds the Development of the Herbs Sector
under the JOBS Project

On December 10, 2002, in Polski Trambesh will be the official launch of the JOBS in HERBS component implemented under the JOBS Project. The Norwegian Ambassador H.E. Rolf Baltzersen and the UNDP Resident Representative Marta Ruedas will open the ceremony.

The JOBS in HERBS component is financed by the Norwegian Government with USD 135,000. A strategy will be designed and implemented for the development of the herb sector in the country and two offices will be established in Polski Trambesh and Velingrad to serve the component in North and South Bulgaria. The initiative is targeting mainly the unemployed and disadvantaged groups, as well as the small-scale entrepreneurs.

The JOBS in HERBS is focused on various activities, from training in cultivation, harvesting and processing of herbs, to identification of free land plots, soil analysis and climatic profile, market-based selection of herb varieties and recruitment of labor.

The two specialized offices will be providing herb growers specific business consultations and agricultural and market information. They will conduct international marketing research and will assist herb producers in establishing direct contacts with international companies and partners. A nursery for seeds and seedlings and a trial plot will be created along with a modern drying facility and storage facilities for the end products.

The JOBS in HERBS component has another practical accent as well. 300 people will be trained in herb collection and cultivation. Training courses under the thematic module Start-Your-Agribusiness will also be implemented. The plans are to provide a comprehensive package of business services and consultations to 25 local companies from the herb sector and to create at least 250 jobs.

The coordinator for the JOBS in HERBS component will be the Center for Business and Information in Velingrad, which works under the JOBS Project. The staff there has considerable and successful experience in training growers and organizing production, harvesting and sales of herbs.

The Job Opportunities through Business Support Project - JOBS is implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy with the support of the United Nations Development Programme. The project demonstrates a replicable model for stimulation and creation of micro and small enterprises and is implemented throughout the country. It creates a sustainable network of Business Centers and Business Incubators that provide services to local existing and start-up entrepreneurs. For the two years of the project's implementation, JOBS has created more than 5,200 sustainable jobs in Bulgaria.

 

JOBS Statistics (as of October 31, 2002)

Sustainable long-term jobs created - 5,106
Temporary jobs created (in man-days) - 12,966
Disbursed financial leases (total in BGL) - 1,570,569
Average lease value (in BGL) - 15,250
Information Technology Centers (clients served) - 23,765
Clients trained - 3,891
People trained in Start-Your-Business - 1,381
Consulting services provided (companies served) - 6,758
Marketing and production groups established - 53

October 28, 2002

JOBS Presented Tourist Opportunities in Southwest Bulgaria
Before Greek Tour Operators

Together with its Business Centers in Velingrad, Razlog and Gotze Delchev the JOBS Project developed and launched a new regional tourist product called "Colorful rosary across three mountains." The package features 4 destinations in Southwest Bulgaria - Melnik, Bansko, Gotze Delchev/Leshten/Kovacheviza and Velingrad, and provides a variety of opportunities for cultural, hiking, skiing, rural, hobby and health tourism, as well as a rich array of local attractions. The new product takes a prominent place within the JOBS strategy for tourism development.

The promotion of the tourist package to the international market started at the end of October, when an introduction tour was organized for tour operators from Northern Greece. A group of 20 tour operators, representatives of chambers of commerce, chambers of tourism, local authorities and media from Thessaloniki, Serres, Drama and Asprovalta attended.

Thanks to the joint efforts of the JOBS team, the local tourist businesses involved and the Bulgarian and the Greek media, the tour received high appraisal from the Greek guests. It is a promising start for future partnerships and cultural exchange and the first results are already a fact. A group of Greek tourists is coming to Bulgaria in the middle of November, while a numerous delegation of 60 representatives of the local authorities and businesses from Northern Greece is expected to visit Bulgaria by the end of the year. A promotional brochure in English has been developed for the event and is available from the JOBS centers.

The next tour on the program is going to feature North Bulgaria and will definitely highlight Isperih with the royal Thracian tomb in the archeological reserve Sborianovo.

The idea to organize the tour emerged in April, when a JOBS delegation from the Business Centers in Velingrad, Razlog, Nova Zagora and Gotze Delchev traveled on a trade mission to Greece. The members of the project presented the priority sectors for JOBS before local chambers of commerce, associations and companies. In addition to tourism, these also include apparel and textile, wood processing and the food industry.

Archive

JOBS Statistics (as of September 30, 2002)

JOBS Project Has Created Over 2,000 Sustainable Long-Term Jobs - 08/05/2002
JOBS achievements for 1 year in existence
"Tradition and Business" - a hand to support Bulgarian artisans - 23 January 2002
JOBS Project Turns Crafts into Successful Business
Business Entrepreneurship National Competition
under Jobs Project - 26.07.2002
JOBS Statistics (as of June 30, 2002)
Conference Spotlights the Role of Municipalities for Supporting Local Businesses - 25 September 2002