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Description
The overall objective of the project "Workshop for Traditional Crafts "Mountain Signs" is aimed at mobilizing conditions for the utilization of the natural, cultural and tourist potential of the territory and the available social capital to achieve economic growth through the creation of new jobs in the territory of the municipality of Belitsa. The specific objectives of the project include: Encouraging long-term unemployed and inactive people from the municipality of Belitsa to actively participate in the local labour market through training and employment activities; Enabling the implementation of specific measures foreseen in the Local Development Strategy developed by the municipality of Belitsa within the framework of the "Growth through Activation of Local Potential (GALOP)" project - this project is a proposal for 60% implementation of the business plan attached to and an integral part of the strategy. Creation of new jobs in businesses supporting tourism services and its promotion; Building entrepreneurial skills. Reducing the unemployment rate in the municipality. Belitsa Municipality has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and ranks seventh among the other municipalities in the country; The activities envisaged under the project, to achieve the objectives thus set, will be implemented on the territory of the municipality of Belitsa by a partnership composed of local organizations of importance to the community - the National Centre for Human Rights of the town of Belitsa. Todorov 1885, Belitsa Municipality and Mebel Intex. The organisational structure thus envisaged offers an optimal balance between local government, NGOs and the private sector. Involving different stakeholders in the project implementation will help to achieve quality implementation and sustainability of project results.
Summary of project results
The labor market in Belitsa municipality is characterized by high unemployment, at a much higher level than the average for the country or district. Given the scope of inclusion of long-term unemployed and inactive, disadvantaged and retired people in the project, a key element at the start of the project was the formation of an appropriate team to work in the traditional craft workshop. The project provided the opportunity for eight (8) preselected people to have 1-year employment.
Employment was created for permanently unemployed, inactive and pre-retirement people from the municipality. The new employees were trained in the “Mountain Signs” Traditional Crafts Workshop and received certificates in decoration, wood carving and textiles. Equipment for 5 ateliers in the Workshop was provided. Two pavilions were purchased and installed for the sale of locally produced souvenirs, food and non-food products, furnished and equipped with sales tables and racks. One minibus was purchased for the sale of souvenirs and local products to support tourism development in the municipality. A website and platform for searching and offering work at the local level with the possibility of offering local products and services and 5 companies offering jobs, were created. Trainings were provided for 30 participants in basic skills in general entrepreneurship and 30 participants in the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in tourism. One-day forum was held with the participation of 85 representatives of the two target groups of the project (unemployed and inactive persons, and employers from Belitsa municipality), representatives of the local administration, business, NGOs, community centers, educational and training organizations, Labor Bureau, etc. Two press conferenced were held, one initial and one closing. All this contributed to the increased economic development in the municipality by creating an entrepreneurial culture and building entrepreneurial skills, creating an opportunity to implement specific measures from the local development strategy, promoting self-employment by ensuring access to the market for the products and services offered.
The project resulted in the creation of employment and income opportunities for the most vulnerable persons on the labour market; limiting the migration of young and active people; approbating an innovative model of creating local employment, as a result of the cooperation between the local government, NGO sector and business; diversification of the local economic activities, such that tourist services are implemented with unique local products.