For a sixth successive year representatives of the civil organisations from all over the country, ministries, agencies, municipal authorities and businesses as well as many guests came together to express their recognition to the people who are socially responsible for their own communities. This year the best projects were selected by a jury with the following members Ognian Donev, Chair of the Board of the Confederation of the Employers and the Industrialists in Bulgaria (CEIBG); Sevda Shishmanova, Programme Director of the Bulgarian National Television; Daniela Petkova, Chef executive director, POC Doverie; HE Karel van Kesteren, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bulgaria; Anna Zaharieva, Executive Director, FairPlay International AD.
The ceremony was opened by Maria Petkova, Director of Tulip Foundation. Following the tradition the members of the Jury – representatives of leading business companies, media and diplomats announced and gave away the awards to the people from the organisations realizing the best projects.
Sevda Shishmanova and Ognian Donev presented the first awarded project “Mother’s resistance against the drugs” run by Association “Mothers against drugs”, Plovdiv. The project is aimed at creation of parents groups - branches of the association around the country and establishment of a national alliance of parents against drugs. The organisation has been successful to raise the silent curtain over a hard problem affecting thousands of families. In numerous places the parents have come together and have started to help each other. That has resulted in an increase of the number of the drug-addicts that have made a step towards treatment. Veselina Bojilova from “Mothers against drugs” wished all allies and supporters “To keep up their spirit which helps people to survive”.
The Project “Institute for children’s mental health and development” run by Association “Institute for children’s mental health and development” and Foundation “Clinical philology in action” was presented by Ambassador Kesteren. Kalina Zhuleva, Member of the Board of Tulip Foundation and Ambassador Kesteren gave away the award and the certificate to Dr. Vanya Matanova, representative of the implementing organisations. The “Institute for children’s mental health and development” has been opened in June 2010 with the aim to provide permanent professional support to autistic children, children with dyslexia and other specific difficulties oriented towards their successful integration and realisation in the society. The Institute is also aiming at maximum information and support for parents, teachers and specialists. The project is long-term and is being improved and developed each year.
Anna Zaharieva announced the third awarded project - „Loans for bettering the housing of families with low income – partnerships in action” run by Habitat Bulgaria in cooperation with Samaritans - Stara Zagora, Amala Friends – Dupnitza, Future – Rakitovo, NGO Club - Targovishte and Pleven Public Fund Chitalishta. Together with Vladimir Kissiov, Chair of the Board of Tulip Foundation, she gave the award and the Project of the Year certificate to a group of exited representatives of Habitat and the partner organisations from around the country, who work directly with thousands of families in villages whose houses are ruined or need urgent repair. Unacceptable housing is one of the reasons for many children to be placed in institutions. The health and sometimes even the lives of children are in risk due to bad or dangerous house conditions. The partnerships of Habitat have proved to be a way to provide adequate housing conditions for families with low income and families in risk from marginalised communities who are not eligible to take a loan from a bank. They are offered loans for small urgent repairs that help them to avoid the risk of placing their children in a social institution at a very early stage.
The awarded projects were selected among 32 projects implemented all over the country, which were praised by the people who nominated them. The nominated projects present an impressive variety of social activities and are targeted at positive change in the opportunities and quality of life of certain groups or communities in disadvantaged position.
Nineteen of the nominated projects are implemented in various towns in the country and another ten - in cities. In Sofia are realised six projects and eight are implemented by local organisations in villages. One of the projects is realized in five towns in the country; another - in four towns and a third one is implemented in six towns. The projects were nominated by other NGOs and partners; by the project team of the organisations implementing the project; by journalists and media; by representatives of local authorities, libraries and schools; by volunteers and participants in project activities.
Civil organisations that in 2010 had implemented a project aimed at improving the living conditions, possibilities and quality of life of certain groups or communities in disadvantaged position were invited to participate in the competition. Projects implemented in towns, cities and villages are welcome regardless of the project budget, source of funding, scale of operation, type of activity or beneficiaries.
The nominated project were evaluated on the basis of: achieved results, sustainability of the project activities, financial efficiency, participation of the target groups and the local communities, innovative services and the possibilities for implementing the project in other areas of the country.
The ceremony was organised with the media partnership of the Bulgarian National Television, the newspapers Capital weekly and Dnevnik, Radio Star FM.
The Project of the Year 2010 award is a plastic especially made for the occasion by Prof. Georgi Chapkunov, certificate and incentive grant from Tulip Foundation.
Bulgarian National Television, Central News
Bulgarian National Television, Small Stories
Project of the Year 2010 Awards Leaflet
Project of the Year 2010 Nominations Lealfet
