Bulgarian Community Leaders Celebrate Philanthropy and Social
Entrepreneurship
On December 5, 2005, USAID sponsored the Fair for Social Change, which promoted projects, partnerships and products with social-added value in Bulgaria. Organized by USAID grantees, Counterpart International and Partners Bulgaria Foundation, the Fair celebrated the power of local people, communities and initiatives to change their lives through mobilization of philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and inter-ethnic cooperation within programs funded by USAID.
The Fair highlighted the work of fifteen social enterprises and twenty leadership institutes and community centers. These organizations exhibited items such as handicrafts, honey, and stained glass. The products were made by ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, street children and women-at-risk. Since 2002, USAID has supported forty-five Social Enterprises which provide jobs for disadvantaged people build social capital and improve the provision of social services.
The main event featured an awards ceremony for “Donor of the Year” presented by the Community Foundations in Bulgaria. Seven awards were given to local individual and corporate donors for significant contribution in the following areas: improving the living environment, sport and tourism, education, health and social care. Local giving has risen dramatically over the last year. It more than doubled to $250,000 from last year’s $117,000. This increase provides real hope for the sustainability of the local Community Funds.
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| USAID grantees organized a fair to promote products and initiatives that give back to the community |
The seven “Donor of the Year” honorees |
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