Six regional social economy centers based in Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Gabrovo, Lovech, and Plovdiv provide assistance in launching and promoting successful local practices. Their work is carried out as part of a large-scale project to establish a National Competence Center for Social Innovation, which is implemented by the MLSP and co-funded by the European Union under the Human Resources Development Program.
With the aim of promoting the achievements of organizations, cooperatives, and institutions contributing to the social economy, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP) has launched the twelfth edition of the Annual National Social Innovation Awards for 2026. The initiative is open to Bulgarian citizens, as well as a wide range of legal entities, including social enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and educational or scientific institutions operating in the field of social entrepreneurship.
Those wishing to participate in the competition can submit their proposals until 5:30 p.m. on September 30, 2026, to the following email address: SI_nagrada@mlsp.government.bg. The necessary application forms are published on the official social economy website. Evaluation will be conducted in three main categories:
- "Social innovations for access to employment and skills development"
- "Social innovations for social inclusion and community development"
- "Social innovations for the provision of sustainable social products and/or services"
In addition, the ministry reminded of the application period for the "I Choose Bulgaria" program, which started in August. The program offers incentives for at least 1,050 participants and their families who are of working age and currently live in cities with over 50,000 residents, but wish to relocate and work in smaller settlements with a population of under 50,000.