After a 3-month intensive LET's GO 2024 training, mentoring and coaching program, which involved 13 CSOs, on 31 May the jury of the Best NGO Business Plan competition selected the winners, who also received a cash prize of BGN 10,000 to implement their business ideas in support of their causes. Here are the winning organizations:
1. Mum's Got a Job Foundation, with the idea of creating an online platform connecting mothers with companies that will be certified by the Foundation to implement the three European equality directives - work-life balance, 'women on board' and equal pay.
2. The Foundation for Assistance to Persons with Developmental Disabilities, which will create jobs for at least 5 adults with developmental disabilities who will produce and sell artwork and home items made from clay, wood and other materials.
3. National Scout Organization of Bulgaria, with the business idea of creating children's camps as well as team building for adults, with the aim of developing personal qualities, team building, connecting people with nature, building solid communication through the scouting method as part of the social package of companies to their employees.
"It was most important for us to join this community of inspiring people and ideas, and to figure out together how to develop our interesting ideas." - Let's Go 2024 participant
"The most valuable thing for us was the conversations with mentors, trainers and the opportunity of collaborations with other participants." - Let's Go 2024 participant
This year the community of CSOs that had completed the Program grew to 240. Our organizations are showing that they are following important trends in society, offering modern solutions to social challenges. Not all succeed in sustaining their entrepreneurial initiatives, but when they do - the result is inspiring for all - jobs for people who otherwise might struggle to stay in the job market, interesting offerings that help inclusion in today's society, informal education that gives us important skills for development, modernity and prosperity, new and emerging opportunities for biodiversity and climate conservation.
The BCNL team have learned many lessons over the years. But the one we love the most and will never stop sharing it, is that through mission-related business, CSOs illustrate their creativity, independence and relevance.
LET’s GO!
LET's GO program is supported by
America for Bulgaria Foundation, Accenture Bulgaria and UniCredit Bulbank.