Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Encouraging Traditional Businesses
Nauka Culture Centre
Background
The Community Culture Center was established in 1905 and has always generated revenues from different activities. However, due to the fact that it has a lot of obligations (Drama Theater, choir, brass-band), it cannot be self-sustainable. The annual grant from the Municipality of Lovech is only sufficient for employees salaries. The solution was to find additional opportunities that could make the institution self-sustainable. Although the first attempts in this regard were unsuccessful, the community center team (27 people) didn t get discouraged and developed new ideas.
The Community Culture Center was established in 1905 and has always generated revenues from different activities. However, due to the fact that it has a lot of obligations (Drama Theater, choir, brass-band), it cannot be self-sustainable. The annual grant from the Municipality of Lovech is only sufficient for employees salaries. The solution was to find additional opportunities that could make the institution self-sustainable. Although the first attempts in this regard were unsuccessful, the community center team (27 people) didn t get discouraged and developed new ideas.
Practice
At the end of 1998, the Municipality of Lovech gave the community center information about UNDP programmes. In the beginning of 1999, the community center applied with a project on encouraging traditional businesses in the Lovech area. The community center s major partner was the Municipality of Lovech, which was involved in the project by providing municipal lots and buildings. The community center s team did a lot of voluntary work.
The project included the development of an apiary as a long-term strategic investment, and mushroom-growing as an investment with quick return. Courses on bee-keeping, mushroom-growing, flower-growing, etc. were planned. Another aspect of the project was the provision of assistance with consultations and funding to people who want to develop their own traditional business. The profits from all of these activities would generate additional revenues to the Science Community Center.
50 beehives and 50 bee swarms were purchased in July and August 1999. The beehives were placed in a municipal meadow in the village of Skobelevo. The meadow was given to the community center for free use by order of the mayor of the Municipality of Lovech. Mushroom-growing began in October, 1999. The Municipal Council unanimously voted in favor of giving the unused kindergarten in the village of Skobelevo for mushroom-growing purposes. The first mushrooms were sold at Christmas, 1999.
The second phase of the project was also implemented. The community culture center organized training courses for unemployed people willing to develop some of these traditional businesses in the Lovech area.
At the end of 1998, the Municipality of Lovech gave the community center information about UNDP programmes. In the beginning of 1999, the community center applied with a project on encouraging traditional businesses in the Lovech area. The community center s major partner was the Municipality of Lovech, which was involved in the project by providing municipal lots and buildings. The community center s team did a lot of voluntary work.
The project included the development of an apiary as a long-term strategic investment, and mushroom-growing as an investment with quick return. Courses on bee-keeping, mushroom-growing, flower-growing, etc. were planned. Another aspect of the project was the provision of assistance with consultations and funding to people who want to develop their own traditional business. The profits from all of these activities would generate additional revenues to the Science Community Center.
50 beehives and 50 bee swarms were purchased in July and August 1999. The beehives were placed in a municipal meadow in the village of Skobelevo. The meadow was given to the community center for free use by order of the mayor of the Municipality of Lovech. Mushroom-growing began in October, 1999. The Municipal Council unanimously voted in favor of giving the unused kindergarten in the village of Skobelevo for mushroom-growing purposes. The first mushrooms were sold at Christmas, 1999.
The second phase of the project was also implemented. The community culture center organized training courses for unemployed people willing to develop some of these traditional businesses in the Lovech area.
Results
The courses and the experience generated a lot of interest in the community;
5 new jobs were created and 3 unemployed people started their businesses after using consultations and assistance under the project;
The community center s activities and successes were promoted;
The community center s team generated new ideas.
The experience of the Community Culture Center in Lovech demonstrated how external resources and partners can be mobilized and how significant sustainable results could be achieved with limited funds, good motivation and voluntary efforts.
The courses and the experience generated a lot of interest in the community;
5 new jobs were created and 3 unemployed people started their businesses after using consultations and assistance under the project;
The community center s activities and successes were promoted;
The community center s team generated new ideas.
The experience of the Community Culture Center in Lovech demonstrated how external resources and partners can be mobilized and how significant sustainable results could be achieved with limited funds, good motivation and voluntary efforts.
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