SOFIA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION was founded as non-profit organization with the decision 348
of the Sofia Municipal Council to work for the sustainable development of the capital.
AWARDS FOR RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYERS OF REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS 2023
For the third consecutive year, Sofia Development Association and partner organizations awarded entrepreneurs and employers who support the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and migrants. The Responsible Employers Awards are an initiative that recognizes refugees who have started their own business in Sofia, as well as employers and companies that provide employment to refugees and migrants. For people who have left their homeland under duress, building a second home and finding the strength to start their lives again in another country is a bold, albeit difficult, decision. That is why their successes deserve recognition. That is why this year, SDA, in partnership with UNHCR, Caritas Sofia, the Bulgarian Red Cross, and the Ot Nas Zavisi Foundation nominated and selected 16 companies and entrepreneurs in different categories – women entrepreneurs, contribution to Tasty Sofia, Paying it Forward, Multicultural team, etc. The ceremony was exciting for both the winners and all attendees – many of them with refugee origin, who have already settled in Bulgaria and support for other people in need is their unchanging cause. And the wonderful songs performed by Lilia Levitska and her students from Ukraine really created a festive atmosphere, but also reminded all of us why they left their country.
This event is part of the activities of the project "Support for the development of integration policies and services for refugees in Sofia", funded by UNHCR and implemented by Sofia Development Association.
AWARDS FOR RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYERS OF REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS 2022
On December 15, 2022, the annual Awards for Responsible Employers of Refugees and Migrants took place at SofiaLab, the capital's youth innovation laboratory. Partners in the event were Sofia Municipality, Sofia Development Association, Caritas Sofia, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and "Za Dobroto" Foundation.
The awards brought together representatives of business, the non-governmental sector and institutions for an evening of appreciation for employers with a contribution to the integration, employment and support of refugees and migrants. The host of the event was Sevdalina Voinova, program director of Sofia Development Association. Svetlana Lomeva, executive director of the organization, presented the first two prizes on behalf of Georgi Georgiev, chairperson of Sofia Muniipal Council - to Henkel Bulgaria and Overgas. The two companies were honored for significant donations to the integration of refugees.
"In these difficult times it is important to help, we are happy about the partnership with NGOs and the opportunity to work with them," said Desislava Ilieva from Henkel, and Vladislava Shalamanova from Overgas added: "This award gives us confidence and energy to work together, then things work out."
Iva Partsaleva, representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, presented prizes to two other deserving companies – Terrastone and Lidl Bulgaria for their active work with refugees, including the hiring and training of many migrants, as well as providing assistance for their accommodation in Bulgaria. "Thank you for the award, thank you for the partnership with the non-governmental organizations that support responsible employers. We want to integrate refugees and from the beginning we offer training, housing support, all the way in their work. We remain open to cooperation in the future as well," said Raya Tsvetkova from Lidl Bulgaria.
Tsvetomir Dumanov, director of Caritas Sofia, had the pleasant task of presenting prizes to three companies - Samex, Fransizkup and Sament Engineering. The companies were recognized for their ongoing commitment to working with refugees and migrants, their talent development programs and their first job opportunities for unaccompanied youth. "We are very happy with the cooperation we have established. We expect to build on this partnership next year, we learn from all of you," said Svetoslav Stoychev, regional manager of the company that operates KFC and NORDSEE restaurants in Bulgaria.
Maria Mihailova from "Za Dobroto" Foundation also presented three prizes for deserving employers - the awards went to Bulgarian Burger, "Berezka" and ABC Pharma for their continued efforts to provide decent pay and a good environment to third-country nationals with refugee status and migrants. In the words of Natalia Mantya from "Berezka", "We would like everyone in our team to feel good together, to understand each other."
The awards also marked the beginning of a comprehensive network of private companies, institutions, and non-governmental organizations whose main goal will be the integration and support of refugees and migrants through the country's labor market.
The awards are also part of the activities of the Bureau of Information and Services for Foreign Citizens, which was established and has been operating since October last year with the joint efforts of the Sofia Municipality, Sofia Development Association, Bulgarian Red Cross, with the support of Pazari Vazrazhdane and UNHCR, co-financed by the EU through the AMIF.
CONNECTION project: CONNECTING Cities Towards Integration action, is co-funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
AWARDS FOR RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYERS OF REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS 2021
Sofia Development Association (SDA), Sofia Municipality (SM), Caritas Sofia and the UNHCR Representation in Bulgaria presented the first awards for responsible employers of refugees and migrants today, 17 December, at SofiaLab. 18 December, is the International Migrants' Day - on this date in 1990 the UN adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. On this occasion, the awards aim to recognize companies that recruit and retain migrants in their teams, give them public recognition for fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and promote best practices for everyone's professional development.
"Sofia has always aspired to be a city that is open to cultural diversity, the skills to live together, and to lead our city to prosperity. You are the people who, with your professional skills and your hearts, give opportunities to migrants who are forced to look for a home elsewhere. In life it is very important to live with dignity, and work and employment are dignity," said Malina Edreva from the Sofia City Council.
"Employing people in a vulnerable situation is the highest form of responsibility - on the one hand to themselves and on the other to the local community. Admiration to all employers who conscientiously assume this responsibility!" added Tsvetomir Dumanov from Caritas Sofia.
The awards are also part of the activities of the new Bureau for Information and Services for third country nationals, which has been up and running since October this year through the joint efforts of SM, SDA, BRC, with the support of “Vazrazhdane” Markets and UNHCR, co-financed by the EU through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund under the CONNECTION project.
"Thank you to Sofia Municipality, Sofia Development Association and Caritas for the cooperation and partnership because the developments we have seen in Sofia in recent years are possible thanks to working together," said Petya Kovacheva from UNHCR.
CITUB, BCCI, members of the Integration Working Group collected nominations and the initiating organizations selected the winners in 5 categories - areas particularly relevant for the successful integration of foreign citizens. The 2021 winners have made a significant contribution to reducing barriers to migrants in the labour market and to fostering integration and understanding in the community of Sofia and its surroundings.
In the category for sustainable commitment to migrant employees the company “Convoy-World” AD was awarded, a leading manufacturer and distributor of household goods with a production base in the area of Novi Iskar. The company has been employing asylum seekers and third country nationals for more than 5 years. In addition to the much-needed work, as a socially responsible employer Convoy provides an address, housing and comprehensive support with other necessary services such as kindergarten enrolment, personal doctor, etc. Convoy currently employs 4 people from Syria and Pakistan.
In the category of green jobs for third-country nationals, the prize went to “Franciskup”, a company that recycles starters and alternators and sells them at home and abroad. Currently, 3 boys from Afghanistan are working at Francizkup and they had the chance to get their first job in this company. The company also offers them housing.
In the category "Employer with respect for mothers and women" the award went to “Angel Baby” Ltd, a company for clothing for children from 0-4 years and textiles for the nursery. This year “Angel Baby” Ltd has hired 3 women from Afghanistan and Yemen and is in the process of opening 2 more positions for vulnerable women, and they have expressed a desire to hire qualified men as well.
In the category "Combining work and learning" “Ortotech: Ltd, the largest Bulgarian manufacturer of orthopaedic medical devices, won. “Ortotech” currently employs 2 boys from Afghanistan, who are not only provided with on-the-job training, but also the opportunity to combine the work process with Bulgarian language courses.
In the "teamwork" category the award went to “TerraStone”, a Bulgarian company with import, distribution and direct sale of porcelain tiles, floor ceramics, sanitary ware, technical marble and granite. “TerraStone” employs 3 people from Syria who received full support and acceptance from the team, and realized their successful inclusion as equal colleagues in a better working team.
"Thank you for this award. I have shared this news with my colleagues, and they are very happy that positive feedback is coming back to us in this way," said Georgi Gyurov from “Ortotech”.
"Bulgaria needs replenishments in the cadres - young people who can be integrated and socialised. In this way we develop the Bulgarian economy, and the country prospers." Kiril Angelov, Frantsizkup Ltd.
CONNECTION project: CONNEcting Cities Towards Integration action, is co-funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
