Project Description:

   The project addresses the issue of unemployment in Bulgaria by creating sustainable long-term jobs through support to micro and small business development in rural areas. The established network of 37 Business Centers/Business Incubators covers 42 communities in Bulgaria and provides support to start-up and existing local businesses and agricultural producers through consulting, office and information services, training and a financial leasing mechanism. The project's beneficiaries are unemployed people, small entrepreneurs and disadvantaged groups (Roma and Turkish ethnic minorities, young people, women, etc.).

Objectives:

The JOBS project supports the Bulgarian Government's commitment to reducing unemployment and seeks to:


Foster growth and long-term employment through comprehensive support to local businesses;


Establish a sustainable network of 37 Centers providing support to micro and small businesses in rural areas;


Build national and local capacities making local business development efforts and initiatives sustainable.

Locations (to date):

16 Business Centres/ Business Incubators: Aitos, Gotse Delchev, Isperih*, Karlovo*, Kotel, Malko Tarnovo, Nova Zagora, Pernik, Samokov*, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven*, Straldja, Sungurlare, Targovishte, Vidin (*virtual business incubators);


10 Business Centres: Devin, Dulovo, Elhovo, Karnobat, Kubrat, Novi Pazar, Polski Trambesh, Razlog, Ruen, Velingrad;


11 new Business Centers established in 2003: Byala Slatina, Blagoevgrad, Dobrich, Harmanli, Kazanlak, Montana, Panagyrishte, Parvomai, Peshtera, Svishtov, Teteven;

5 window offices: Berkovitza, Bolyarovo, General Toshevo, Lyubenova Makhala, Tvarditsa.

Results (until 31 December 2003):

37 business support centres established;


8,500 sustainable long-term jobs created;


Over 10,800 clients trained;


Consultations provided to more than 15,000 local companies;
BGN 5.3 million extended to 352 micro, small and family businesses under the financial leasing scheme.

Benefits:

Local businesses strengthened and developed;


Replicable and sustainable micro and small business development models;


Modern infrastructure (including IT centres) and a network supporting business development;


Association of JOBS business centers, capable of ensuring sustainability of project results long-term (The National Business Development Network).