Goals
BASE – “Business Achievements for Social Entrepreneurship” is a training programme that aims to create a conducive environment for the sustainable economic development of the Srednogorie region and stimulate local people to start or further develop their own businesses. The programme aims to transform communities by empowering them with business skills and presenting them with the opportunities for entrepreneurship that the region provides.
The Training Programme
A group of 25 to 30 participants who are highly motivated to start or further develop their own business, participate in a 12-week training programme, where they learn how to lay the foundations of their small business in Bulgaria – from evaluating the potential of their idea to successfully operating their finances. During the training the participants get the opportunity to learn and draw on the experience of successful Bulgarian entrepreneurs who are willing to share knowledge they gained while building their own businesses. The lectures include theory, taught in a comprehensible way, teamwork exercises, case studies as well as exercises in creating and operating virtual businesses.
Best Business Plan Award
Because BASE aims to motivate participants to start or further develop their businesses during the programme the participants create business plans and present them in a final competition that awards the best one. A competent jury selects the three best projects based on specific criteria and each receives a small financial award.
The BASE programme takes places in partnership with the America for Bulgaria Foundation and the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria.