Month: October 2023

Multiplier Event within the project ECO CHEF

On October 18th Euni Partners organized an information meeting within the project “ECO CHEF” in the premises of the Regional focus point for the “Development of the Social Economy”, which is implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan. The regional governor Mrs. Maria Dimova opened the event, expressing support and appreciation for the project initiative, and in particular the trainings on Business planning in the social economy sector, which have had a huge positive impact on the development of the social economy in Blagoevgrad region.

The president of association EUni Partners, Mrs Ilina Yakova, presented the project results, and gave an overview of the European context of the social economy. The coordinator of the Blagoevgrad Regional Focus Point “Development of the Social Economy”, Mrs. Temenuzka Zlatanova, presented the “Development of the Social Economy” project and the possibilities for supporting social enterprises. Mrs Stanislava Popovska – Director of Directorate “Regional Employment Service – Blagoevgrad ”, introduced the programs for youth employment and entrepreneurship. The event was attended by lecturers and students from the South-West University “Neofit Rilski” and local business representatives.

The event created a network of mutual cooperation between institutions and stakeholders and encouraged young social entrepreneurs to take the first steps in their realization.

The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU, KA2 Small-scale partnerships in vocational education and training.

October 20, 2023
Meeting in Greece, Veroia withing the project VOLT (Volunteering Values Think Tank)

In the period from the 14th to 17th of October, a delegation from the Municipality of Belitsa, Bulgaria, and Maria Kovachka – a member of Association “Euni Partners” participated in a meeting within the project VOLT in Veroia, Greece.

The project is coordinated by EQUALINE, Greece.

Partners are: DRUSTVO ZA RAZVIJANJE PROSTOVOLJNEGA DELA NOVO MESTO – Slovenia, Belitsa Municipality – Bulgaria, BIRGU Local Council – Malta and Municipality of KALNIK – Croatia.

The main aim of the project is promoting volunteering as a tool to enhance civic engagement, combat Euroscepticism, strengthen European values and town-twinning. The funding programme is Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV) of the EU.

Sunday, 15^th of October, was a day, dedicated to celebrating the region’s rich culture and traditions with the Festival of Grapes, a vibrant and cherished local tradition.

On Monday, the delegation had the honor of witnessing the grand parade – a symbol of unity and cultural diversity that showcased the collective spirit of the participating entities.

Following the parade, the participants gathered at the Municipality Hall and met the Mayor for a significant moment of commemoration, which included the exchange of commemorative photos and plaques. These tokens symbolized the enduring partnerships formed during the project and a shared commitment to its goals.

The Bulgarian delegation expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome and the fruitful discussions that took place during this meeting. They look forward to the continued collaboration and the positive impact the VOLT project will have on their respective communities.

October 19, 2023
Final international meeting within the project ECO CHEF

Association Euni Partners took part in the final international meeting within the project ECO CHEF: vocational training for disadvantaged people, which was held in Bassano del Grappa, Italy between 10th and 13th October.

Our team was presented with several good practices regarding social entrepreneurship in Italy. The good practice included three social enterprises working together and complementing each other. What they have in common is that they have large agricultural areas where they grow organic products that they use to prepare the food in their own restaurants, as well as sell in their own shop or in the market in the city center.

The majority of employees in the social enterprises are people from vulnerable groups. They get the opportunity to be trained in various areas, such as participation in the work process in the guest house, in the restaurant and in agricultural activities. The mission of social workers is to help disadvantaged people to learn skills that will enable them to lead independent lives.

The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU, KA2 Small-scale partnerships in vocational education and training.

#ecochefproject

October 17, 2023
Training on the topic: Business planning in social entrepreneurship
Association Euni Partners conducted training on the topic: Business planning in social entrepreneurship in the agricultural and tourism sector within the project ECO CHEF.

More than 20 ambitious young people, aged between 19 and 29, got to know in detail one of the noblest fields in entrepreneurship in Bulgaria and Europe. All participants learned what the conditions are for a social enterprise to be registered, and how to independently prepare a business plan for their future ventures.

As a result of the event, the participants shared that they are highly motivated to carry out such an undertaking, and would feel great satisfaction to be part of the developing social economy in Bulgaria.

The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU, KA2 Small-scale partnerships in vocational education and training.
October 2, 2023
ERAS II – learnings from COVID-19

The main goal of the ERAS project is a long-term partnership of thirteen cities in thirteen different countries with the common goal of improving the conditions for the development of volunteering in the partner countries and throughout Europe. For this purpose, partner organizations exchanged information, good practices, knowledge and promoted volunteering as such. Together, we have provided a productive and content-rich environment that encourages the development of various volunteer programs.

In 2019, thirteen European cities joined the ERAS project – the European Alliance for Volunteering Support, united by a common desire to connect citizens and exchange good practices in the field of volunteering. In 2023, the ERAS alliance continued its work with a new project: ERAS II – lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis.

As part of the new project, six partner organizations from Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, and Portugal researched the impact of Covid-19 on volunteering and the support of volunteering by local authorities for a better response to crisis situations. We researched the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic by exchanging good practices, knowledge, and experience at 4 international events.

As part of the project, four international events were held with the aim of exchanging good practices, establishing connections with relevant organizations, studying the concepts and effects of volunteering in different countries, and with the aim of promoting the development of volunteering in Europe. In the project, we discussed various areas of volunteering, but we focused most on the impact of Covid-19 on volunteering and the issue of incentives for volunteering in the local environment. An important topic that we highlighted regularly were the opportunities, practices, and goals of the European solidarity unit mechanism. Based on the topics discussed at the events, recommendations were made for the support of volunteering by local authorities.

The project was co-financed by the European Union within the framework of the CERV program, which promotes the connection and networking of cities for common themes and joint projects. For this purpose, Consulta, as a leading partner, connected Litija, Lousada, Kekava, Pécs, Thessaloniki and Blagoevgrad in activities that were carried out in 2023.

Through the review of support for voluntary organizations in the partner countries, we learned a number of good practices of supporting volunteering and volunteer organizations at local levels, which can be transferred to other countries and communities. At international events, our partners exchanged experiences and the impact of the pandemic on volunteering in our organizations and local communities. We have combined existing support practices and lessons learned during the pandemic into guidelines for volunteering support for a better response to crises.

During the period of the Covid-19 epidemic, volunteers who came to help in various areas proved themselves in particular. Through their work, they selflessly contributed to limiting the epidemic and alleviated the feelings of anxiety brought about by the circumstances at the time. Together with our partners, we wanted to shed light on the important contribution of volunteers and their work during the epidemic. We presented the work and achievements of volunteers from Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia, Hungary and Portugal in the form of a traveling, international photo exhibition, with which we promoted volunteerism among citizens and encouraged them to become active volunteers. In all 6 cities, round tables, meetings of stakeholders or talks with volunteers were held alongside the exhibitions, where citizens could share their views on the development of volunteering and learn first-hand more about the work of volunteers shown in the exhibition. We also encouraged the local population, especially young people, to volunteer by presenting opportunities offered by the EU and opportunities within the framework of the European Solidarity Corps program.

During the project, at international events in Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary, we learned about many good practices in the field of volunteering, which we reported to organizations in the local environment with the aim of encouraging their transfer. Collected good practices from both ERAS projects, stories of European volunteers, a brochure for effective volunteering programs and guidelines for volunteering support can be viewed on the new online platform erasnetwork.eu. In addition to all of the above, this platform also offers a place where organizations can present themselves and find partners to realize their ideas.

Event description sheets

October 2, 2023