The SONYA project is delighted to announce a landmark achievement that directly reinforces its mission to strengthen the social economy in Northwestern Bulgaria. On 4 August 2025, by order of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, the municipal company “R-Ruzha” Ltd. was officially entered into the National Register of Social Enterprises.
This development is not only historic for the Vidin region — where “R-Ruzha” is the first social enterprise of any kind — but also for SONYA. The registration provides tangible proof of impact, showing how the project’s Living Lab in Ruzhintsi can successfully serve as a real-world testing ground for innovative models of social entrepreneurship and community support.
Why This Matters for SONYA
The inclusion of “R-Ruzha” Ltd. in the national register marks a turning point for SONYA’s objectives:
- Validation of the Living Lab model: Ruzhintsi’s Living Lab has moved beyond experimentation to concrete institutional recognition. This confirms SONYA’s approach of co-creating solutions with local stakeholders.
- Scaling opportunities: The registration sets a precedent for replicating SONYA’s methods in other municipalities across Northwestern Bulgaria and beyond.
- Policy alignment: By operating within the framework of the national project “Development of Social Economy”, SONYA demonstrates how its activities integrate into broader national strategies for social inclusion and local development.
Building Social Impact Through “R-Ruzha”
Although established in 2019, “R-Ruzha” Ltd. began operations in 2025 with a dual focus: agricultural production and the employment of people from vulnerable groups. Its work will now be embedded in municipal social policies, contributing directly to programmes such as the “Warm Lunch” initiative, food provision for kindergartens, and support for the municipal Home for the Elderly.
Future plans — including the revival of a farmers’ market that connects the enterprise with local producers — will further expand the impact. Each of these initiatives aligns with SONYA’s mission of fostering community-driven, sustainable solutions.
A Showcase for SONYA’s Vision
The registration of “R-Ruzha” Ltd. is more than a local success: it is a showcase for the SONYA project’s capacity to drive systemic change. It illustrates how rural communities can leverage social enterprises to achieve social inclusion, economic vitality, and resilience.
This milestone strengthens SONYA’s role as a catalyst for innovation in the social economy, proving that the project’s models are not just theoretical, but practical, recognised, and replicable.
