Youth entrepreneurship in Bulgaria

Future Founders Program Report

Focus Period: September–December 2024

Program Relaunch Overview

Following the successful conclusion of the Future Founders program in July 2024, the initiative was relaunched in September 2024 with significant expansion. The new edition now includes 26 local partners, encompassing associations, orphanages, schools, and municipalities, and engages over 1,000 youth aged 15–18. Many participants are orphans, aligning with the program’s core objective to empower marginalized youth through entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and life skills development.

This phase introduced enhanced methodologies, new partnerships, and broader outreach. Key milestones achieved during the September–December 2024 period include the training of over 50 educators, ensuring effective program delivery and alignment with the updated curriculum.

Program Highlights: September–December 2024

1. Engaging Partners and Participants

• Partner institutions represent a diverse mix of orphanages, vocational schools, and community centers across Bulgaria.
• Over 1,000 youth, including many orphans, were actively enrolled, with tailored modules addressing their specific needs.

1. Educator Training

• A Training of Trainers (ToT) session was conducted in Sofia in September 2024 for 50+ educators, equipping them with updated methodologies and tools for delivering the program.
• Modules covered included:
• Advanced facilitation techniques.
• Interactive approaches to teaching entrepreneurship.
• Tools for fostering digital and financial literacy.

1. Program Curriculum Implementation

• September–October 2024: Foundational Modules
• Focused on self-awareness, leadership, and teamwork to build participant confidence.
• Activities included role-playing exercises, leadership simulations, and team-building workshops.
• November 2024: Financial Literacy and Digital Skills
• Practical sessions on budgeting, savings, and credit using digital apps like Spendee and You Need a Budget.
• Introduction to branding and marketing strategies.
• December 2024: Business Ideation
• Participants worked on shaping their initial business ideas.
• Group discussions and brainstorming sessions facilitated creative thinking.

1. Driving License Sponsorship Continuation

• Building on past successes, the program continued the Driving License Sponsorship competition for youth aged 17. Fifteen participants were approved for sponsorship, providing them with essential life skills and independence.

Achievements

• Expanded Reach: Engagement of over 1,000 youth from diverse backgrounds through 26 local partners.
• Educator Empowerment: Training of more than 50 educators to deliver impactful and inclusive sessions.
• Participant Impact: Youth participants have reported increased confidence, creativity, and a clearer understanding of financial concepts and entrepreneurial basics.
• Partnership Strengthening: Collaboration with municipalities and private sponsors has enabled access to additional resources like donated laptops and funded field trips.

Upcoming Plans for 2024–2025

1. January–May 2025:

• Advance participants’ business models into actionable ventures.
• Organize a national-level entrepreneurship fair to showcase participant projects.

1. July 2025:

• Launch a mentorship program connecting participants with industry professionals.

1. September–December 2025:

• Scale the program internationally, leveraging insights from the 2024 edition.

Conclusion

The Future Founders program continues to serve as a transformative platform for empowering marginalized youth in Bulgaria. With a strengthened foundation of partnerships and educator expertise, the program’s impact has expanded significantly in its latest edition. The focus on fostering entrepreneurial mindsets, life skills, and financial literacy ensures sustainable empowerment for youth, enabling them to overcome barriers and build a brighter future.

• Book cover (PDF)