LET’S GO 2025: This not just business
Block No. 27 in Kazanlak’s Iztok neighborhood houses more than a kindergarten. There you will find Irinka and her colleagues. She is part of the Cookie Workshop, where she toils with dignity and makes her dreams come true … cookie by cookie.
The factory hires people with intellectual disabilities, teaches them valuable job skills and in doing so, they become part of the solution to one of society’s most complex problems. Such as enabling a person with a mental health disability to be successful in the job market.
Now that’s what we call a business that’s “not just a business”. It is social entrepreneurship.
So it is with pride and excitement that we announce the 15th edition of LET’s GO: Entrepreneurship Program for NGOs. Your place to learn, grow and step out of your comfort zone to support your missions!
Let’s get started!
Applications are now open for the 15th edition of
LET’S GO: ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM FOR NGOS!
We are once again on the lookout for active and motivated teams of civil society organizations that:
- Have a concrete new business concept with a cause;
- Want to develop (or further develop) an existing business idea related to the organization’s mission;
- Do not yet have an idea for a business with a cause, but are looking for inspiration and encouragement.
WHAT is LET’S GO: An Entrepreneurship Program for NGOs?
- A 3-month training and mentoring program, which supports CSOs to launch mission-related businesses
- A program that runs online and live between March and May 2025.
- A unique opportunity for participants to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges in the annual Best NGO Business Plan competition and compete for a total prize fund of 30,000 BGN in the form of investment in the business plans with the greatest potential for development.
In the LET’S GO Program, CSOs have the opportunity to develop a business idea that is directly related to their mission. Participants will gain key knowledge and skills in business and financial planning, relying on mentoring support and guidance from experts in business planning, marketing, advertising and finance throughout the process.
Why get involved?
In 14 years through social entrepreneurship, over 270 CSOs that have gone through the Program have been able to reach many more people, telling their personal stories and their missions’ through the products and services they offer. It also ensures something very important for their existence and development – financial sustainability.
Who is the Programme suitable for?
The programme is open to civil society organisations (associations, foundations and community groups) that have a business idea but need knowledge, skills and support to make it a reality. We also welcome organisations that are highly motivated to start a business, although they do not yet have a concrete idea. (One will certainly emerge during the training and mentoring meetings).
What are the selection criteria?
CSOs that meet the following minimum requirements are eligible to apply for LET’S GO 2025:
- Be registered for public benefit;
- Be registered/re-registered with the Registry Agency;
- Be motivated to develop an idea and turn it into a business plan, and have the initial capacity/potential to launch it;
- Have the opportunity to participate in all training, mentoring meetings and events provided in the programme.
From all applicants we will select teams of 12 organisations to participate. As part of the selection process, we will pay particular attention to the applicants’ readiness and motivation to start and grow a business. We will look for the most motivated teams for the process of learning, creating, adapting ideas.
Application process
Apply by filling out the online form HERE by 11:59 pm on February 20, 2025.
By March 1, 2025, each applicant will be informed of the selection results at the email address they have provided. Successful applicants will receive an invitation to join the Programme and further information.
*Applications submitted via the online application form only will be accepted.
For the convenience of applicants, we have also collected the most frequently asked questions related to the application and the programme. You can find them in Bulgarian HERE.
Save the date: 3 February 2025 – We will hold an explanatory webinar “Social Entrepreneurship and CSOs: mission possible?” to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions related to the Program. Be sure to register for the meeting as well as ask your preliminary questions here.
Program commitment
LET’S GO is a highly hands-on program. To get the most out of it you need to anticipate your full involvement. Engagement averages one training/mentoring session per week between March and April with an average duration of approximately 3 hours for training sessions and up to 1 hour for mentoring sessions. The trainings and mentoring meetings are conducted online on the ZOOM platform to facilitate people across the country.
Note that throughout the program you will be given various tasks by the trainers and mentors, to prepare and develop your business idea. Schedule time to think and work on developing a business and financial plan with peers. This way, at the end of the programme you will have developed a launch plan and a clear idea of what resources you need. You will also be able to compete in the Best NGO Business Plan competition with a total prize fund of 30,000 BGN.
The final event will be held live in Sofia at the on May. It consists of a presentation of the ideas to the jury in the “Best NGO Business Plan” competition and an award ceremony and community meeting.
Transport and accommodation costs during the live meetings for organisations outside Sofia are covered by the Program organisers.
Each of the organizations approved for participation should nominate two representatives who will participate as a team in the training and mentoring meetings.
Once accepted into the program, each candidate will receive:
- Deepening their knowledge of mission-related business development
- Mentoring support and expert guidance to develop their idea into a business plan
- Improved skills to present their ideas and the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to companies, funders and potential partners
- Opportunity to compete for financial investment in the Best NGO Business Plan competition
- Access to online information and training materials
- A chance to meet representatives from other CSOs who are also asking the what, how and why of starting a social enterprise
Last but not least – all organizations that complete the program become part of a community. They can go to the “next level” by offering their products in the DarPazar cause shop, they can address challenges they face together, interact and create new products together. To create an environment for these interactions, BCNL holds community meetings, engages members in advocacy on important issues, creates webinars for additional support, and other spaces for organizations to develop social entrepreneurial ideas.
Participation fee*
The participation fee for LET’s GO: Entrepreneurship Program for NGOs is 200 BGN.
*The participation fee is equivalent to 15% of the cost of the training for one person. The rest, which covers coordination, training and mentoring meetings, events, materials and support within the program is provided by BCNL, supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation and by responsible business companies, partners of BCNL.
*The fee is payable upon receiving confirmation of participation in the Program by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law and covers the participation of one organization with two representatives participating in the Program.
Contact
For questions about the application process: info@bcnl.org
The Program is organized by the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law with the support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation.
