At the invitation of Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Natalia Efremova, Assoc. Prof. Dr Gabriela Yordanova of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IPS–BAS) took part in the second edition of the forum Europe Is with Me, organised by the Human Resources Development Programme at the Sofia Hotel Balkan.
Held under the motto “Demographic Compass – Which Is the Right Direction”, the event brought together institutions, partners, and potential beneficiaries around the key themes of employment, social inclusion, and youth policies. In the panel “Social Entrepreneurship – Ideas with a Future”, Assoc. Prof. Yordanova presented the SONYA project and helped steer the discussion toward two pivotal questions:
- What mechanisms for developing social entrepreneurship are being implemented in Spain, Italy, France, and Australia, and to what extent is them know‑how applicable in Bulgaria?
- How can the sustainability and organisational capacity of social enterprises be strengthened?
“Social inclusion does not end with providing services to vulnerable groups; it also means creating opportunities to overcome isolation through decent work. For many people in disadvantaged situations, this practically means employment in a social enterprise.”, said Assoc. Prof. Dr Gabriela Yordanova
Population ageing: a call to action
During the panel discussions, participants examined the challenges associated with population ageing. It was emphasised that the growing number of older people will lead to an increased demand for daily care, raising strategic questions about reforming social service delivery, attracting more professionals to the social sector, and conducting in‑depth analyses on the role of new technologies in care and support.
The parallel event “Social Inclusion in Step with the Times” aimed to initiate a broader discussion on the possibilities for transforming the profile and mechanisms of social service delivery. Municipalities presented good practices that explore ways to respond to the increasing need for support among people facing difficulties in their daily lives.
Social entrepreneurship: ideas with a future
In addition to financing opportunities, the forum featured, for the first time, international experiences in developing the social economy. Drawing on insights from the SONYA project and comparative practice, Assoc. Prof. Yordanova highlighted that the most successful examples emerge where social enterprises develop within a broader national and local policy framework for the social economy:
- Spain: Cooperative models and community‑based enterprises integrated into territorial development.
- Italy: Legally recognised social cooperatives with preferential treatment and strong local anchoring.
- France: Mission‑driven enterprises aligned with public‑interest objectives and impact reporting.
- Australia: Tripartite partnerships among universities, businesses, and communities that catalyse innovation and scaling.
What this means for Bulgaria
Building on the experiences from Spain, Italy, France and Australia, the lessons with the strongest transfer potential for Bulgaria converge around three complementary levers.
First, consistent institutional support is essential: clear and stable rules, recognition of social value in public procurement and financing, and multi‑year funding that rewards outcomes allow social enterprises to plan, invest, and scale. Second, targeted education and capacity building across the ecosystem, from entrepreneurship programmes and managerial training to mentoring and peer learning for frontline teams, help professionalise operations while preserving mission. And third, sustainable cooperation networks that connect state institutions, municipalities, business, and civil society create a functioning ecosystem that coordinates services, opens markets, and sustains innovation at the local level.
Through SONYA, we contribute evidence and international exchange to inform these directions in Bulgaria.
Forum priorities
Across its three parallel events, Europe Is with Me examined how the Human Resources Development Programme’s priorities play out in practice.
The discussions focused on practical ways to boost employment and skills, by aligning training with labour‑market needs and supporting up‑/reskilling; to advance social inclusion and equal opportunities through flexible, person‑centred services that reduce access barriers; and to open clearer pathways into work for young people, from career guidance to first‑job support and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Watch the recording (in Bulgarian): https://www.youtube.com/live/9ojANBRm4NU?si=o6z2CHbCXKz6DMNy
