The ceremony was attended by representatives of many of the organisations implementing the nominated and the awarded projects as well as by partner and donor organisations, many guests, representatives of local municipalities and ministries. The ceremony was opened by Vladimir Kissiov, Chair of the Tulip Foundation Board, who stressed that all the projects nominated for the competition had been awarded with the recognition of the people and the organisations who nominated them.

A special opening address to the ceremony guests was made by HE Willem van Ee, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bulgaria, who underlined the role of the civil organisations.

Ivo Prokopiev, Chair of the Union of Employers and Industrials in Bulgaria gave a brief overview of the jury’s work and the criteria for the selection of the best projects. Members of the jury announced the Projects of the Year 2007.

Adela Peeva, documentary producer, presented the project  Club for Elderly Intellectuals Silver Autumn, implemented by Hospice Milosardie Charitable Association. HE Geoffrey Keating, Ambassador of Ireland gave away the award.  

The project Children’s Police Academy, implemented by Chance and Protection Association in Haskovo, Stara Zagora and Svilengrad was presented by Kalina Zhuleva, Managing Director, New Moment New Ideas Company.

Toon Streppel, Head of Information Office for Bulgaria, European Parliament presented the organisation with the award. 

Sasha Bezuhanova, General Manager, Hewlett-Packard Bulgaria announced the award for the project Day Centre for Rehabilitation and Re-socialization of Drug Addicts implemented by the Association Fight against Epidemic Diseases and Addictions. The award was presented to the organisation by Petya Tetevenska, Member of the Managing Board of the Bulgarian National Television.

In the end of the ceremony Ivanka Hristova, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy congratulated the awarded organisations and all the guests and representatives of civil organisations.

The awarded projects received a 2007 Project of the Year plastic especially made for the occasion by Georgi Chapkunov as well as an accompanying certificate and a donation of 500 leva as additional funding to the awarded project.

The awarded projects were selected among 34 projects implemented around Bulgaria, which were praised by the people who nominated them. The nominated projects represent an impressive variety of social activities and are aimed at positive change in people’s lives, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life of certain groups or communities in disadvantaged position. 16 of the nominated projects are realised in small towns, 8 projects are implemented in cities and big towns. 7 projects are based in Sofia and 3 projects are implemented by local organisations in villages around the country. The projects have been nominated by other civil organisations and partners; members of the project team; municipal Social Assistance Directorates; mayor’s and municipal offices; volunteers and participants in the project activities; representatives of the church and the media, local schools, academic institutions, parents and families of children and elderly people who have received support through the projects. 

The best projects have been selected by diplomats and representatives of leading business and media organisations. The members of the jury are as follows: Sasha Bezuhanova, General Manager, Hewlett-Packard Bulgaria; Ivo Prokopiev, Chair Economedia; Adela Peeva, documentary producer; Toon Streppel, Head of Information Office for Bulgaria, European Parliament; Kalina Zhuleva, Managing Director New Moment New Ideas Company; Geoffrey Keating, Ambassador of Ireland; Ben Cross, British actor; Petya Tetevenska, Member of the Managing Board of the Bulgarian National Television and Anthony Georgieff, Vagabond Media Ltd.

The nominated projects have been evaluated on the basis of: achieved results, sustainability of the project activities, financial efficiency, participation of the target groups and the local communities, innovation the services and the possibilities for implementing the project in other areas of the country.

The competition was open to all civil organisations, which in 2007 have implemented a project aimed at improving the living conditions, possibilities and quality of life of certain groups or communities in disadvantaged position. Projects implemented in towns, cities and villages were welcome to take part regardless of the project budget, source of funding, scale of operation, type of activity or beneficiaries.

The ceremony was made possible by the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bulgaria, the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts. The media partners of the event were as follows: Dnevnik newspaper; Radio FM+; Daric Radio; Vagabond, Highlights; Dir.Bg, Actualno.com, Investor.bg and Dnes.bg.

Project of the Year 2006

Project of the Year 2005