First hackathon for social entrepreneurs brings together 10 teams in Balchik

Ten teams to participate in the first hackathon for social entrepreneurs in Balchik

VARNA — Bulgaria is experiencing a significant leap in the development of its social economy, and one of the most significant events in support of this sector is coming up in early September. The first-of-its-kind hackathon dedicated to social entrepreneurship will bring together ten teams from all over the country. The event, which aims to stimulate innovation in this field, will take place on September 4th and 5th in Balchik.

The initiative is from the Regional Center for the Development of the Social Economy in Northeast Bulgaria, based in Varna. They emphasize that interest in social entrepreneurship is growing exponentially. Only two years ago, fewer than 30 companies were registered in the official register of social enterprises. Today, their number has reached nearly 200, which speaks to serious progress and sustainability in the sector. This success is mainly due to the efforts of the six regional centers in the country, located in Varna, Plovdiv, Burgas, Blagoevgrad, Lovech, and Gabrovo.

The idea for the hackathon originated in the maritime capital. The foundation "Dobrudzha - History, Traditions, Culture" is involved in organizing the event, and the team from the Botanical Garden of Sofia University is a special host. The Municipality of Balchik and the Architectural and Park Complex "The Palace" have also declared their support for the significant event and will contribute to its smooth execution.

At the center of the hackathon will be the challenges faced by vulnerable groups in society. The ten teams will work on individual assignments for 24 hours. Their mission is to propose innovative and effective solutions for employment for people belonging to the 12 vulnerable groups, as defined in the Law on Social and Solidarity Economy Enterprises. During the process, participants can rely on the expert assistance of a board of specialists, which will include experts in:

• finance
• marketing
• European funds
• corporate and labor law

At the end of the competition, two prestigious awards will be given – one for the most innovative product and the other for the most suitable business idea for realization. In addition to the competitive part, the event will provide an opportunity for participating social enterprises to present their products and showcase their achievements at a specially organized exhibition. This will provide additional visibility and further encourage the development of social entrepreneurship.

The hackathon is expected to be a key event for the development of Bulgaria's social economy. It will bring together young talents, experienced professionals, and supporting organizations who will work together to achieve a common goal – creating a more just and equitable society where everyone has a chance to succeed.