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Description
This project, part of the Business Programme in Bulgaria under Norway Grants, aims to enhance the competitiveness of Bulgarian enterprises, especially SMEs, in a bid to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe. VGAN Export OOD, a subsidiary of VGAN AS, focuses on producing sustainable plant-based chocolates and sweets. The project seeks to improve transparency and sustainability in VGAN Export OOD''s supply chain, fostering consumer engagement, and sharing knowledge with Bulgarian partners to boost production and exports.
This initiative aligns with VGAN Export OOD''s long-term strategy to capture 10% of the global plant-based market. The outcome will be a best-practice model that VGAN Export ltd. can transfer to its production sites, as well as increased capacity building, knowledge growth, and business opportunities for the partners in Bulgaria.
This project contains a series of key activities, including:
- Assessment studies
- Project Management
- Project Publicity
- Investment Activity
This project also contributes the overall goal of strengthening bilateral relations. Two Norwegian partners, BIG IDEA AS and Corporate Good AS, will provide expertise in brand identity, product development, and sustainability strategy. The Big Idea Lab AS (working under the name The Big Picture) is a small consultancy company working in sustainability strategy and storytelling. Itsupports the companies and organisations in designing sustainability strategies and bridge the gap to storytelling. Corporate Good AS on the other hand is a small company that provides with advice companies and guides them on corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several interconnected challenges:
- Lack of transparency, traceability, and sustainability in VGAN’s supply chain, especially across its contract manufacturing in Bulgaria.
- Limited ability to quantify and communicate the environmental and social impact of their products.
- The need for data-driven consumer engagement, especially for environmentally and socially conscious consumers.
- Dependence on third-party suppliers for all stages of production, leading to risk and lack of control over ethical practices.
- Need for capacity building within local partners in Bulgaria to enhance sustainable practices and prepare for expansion.
- Gap in technological solutions for verified data tracking and environmental footprint measurement, particularly at the product batch level.
The project implemented a structured plan with the following main activities:
Feasibility Study
Assessed internal resources (financial, technological, human), return on investment, and potential social/environmental impacts.Assessment of Current Situation
- Stakeholder analysis
- Supply chain analysis
- PESTEL (Political, Environmental, Social, Technological, Economic, Legal) analysis
- Materiality analysis to prioritize sustainability issues from both company and stakeholder perspectives
3. Definition of Key Indicators -Developed measurable KPIs to track environmental and social impact at batch level, and consumer satisfaction drivers.
4. Assessment of Sustainability Practices -Reviewed current sustainability standards among key supply chain actors, identifying gaps and training needs in Bulgaria.
5. Assessment of Technology Partners -Evaluated blockchain-based traceability solutions for securely storing and verifying environmental data.
6. Development of an Implementation Roadmap - Created a step-by-step plan for improvement with strategic goals, actions, and risk mitigation strategies.
7. Development of Consumer Communication - Designed engaging and trustworthy content to share the product’s sustainability story, using interactive tools and nudge theory to change behavior.
Outcomes:
For VGAN Export OOD :
Gained tools and knowledge for full supply chain transparency and traceability.
Developed a best-practice sustainability model transferable to other production sites.
Enhanced brand credibility and market positioning as a sustainable chocolate producer.
For Bulgarian Partners (contract manufacturers and supply chain stakeholders):
Capacity building through training and knowledge transfer.
Opportunities for business growth, particularly in export markets (Europe, Middle East, Asia).
Increased competitiveness through alignment with EU sustainability standards.
For Consumers (global):
Access to verifiable, transparent, and batch-level information on product sustainability.
Empowered to make more informed, ethical purchasing decisions.
Summary of bilateral results
Two Norwegian partners, namely BIG IDEA AS and Corporate Good AS have been involved in the project activities. The partners will contribute with their expertise to company''s development and its brand identity, as well as to the product development and long term strategy on sustainability.