With a series of initiatives, Association Parallel Silistra opens the door for joint work between female entrepreneurs from Bulgaria and Ukraine, promoting the exchange of ideas and good practices for a sustainable future. One of them is the cooperation with the organization of Ukrainian women in Lithuania Ukreate Hub, which started in the spring of 2024 during the international youth training in Vilnius under the “Perspectives” project, in which Parallel Silistra is a leading partner.
The two organizations share a common vision for sustainable entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment. Encouraging women to play an active role in regional development is in the context of the broader concept of human rights. In the Perspectives project (VIeW – Virago Empowered Women), these goals are integrated into initiatives for women and young people, especially those at risk or affected by conflict.
The partnership acquired new dimensions during the Youth Innovation Camp “Green Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Communities” (October 2-3, 2024, Silistra Branch of Ruse University) for high school students from the Silistra region. Divided into 6 teams – two from Silistra and one from Tutrakan, one from Dulovo, one from Glavinitsa and one from Sitovo, 24 participants took part in the competition for the best business idea with an emphasis on the local natural and historical heritage. For two days, the young people put together their business proposals, while at the same time they learned new skills in the camp’s three workshops – “Business Model”, “Creative Thinking” and “Marketing”. The jury awarded the first prize to the team from Vasil Levski School, Glavinitsa.
In one of the sessions, the organizers made an online connection with Ukreate Hub, through which the Bulgarian youth got acquainted with the organization’s special programs – training, networking, project financing to support Ukrainian women entrepreneurs who now live in Lithuania.
This year the Innovation Camp in Silistra celebrated its eighth anniversary. From the very beginning Association Parallel Silistra, chaired by Dr. Diana Bebenova, has been the initiator of the camp, which with the support of regional institutions and schools in the area, is gaining more and more popularity. So far, the number of participants exceeds 300 young people, who have created and presented over 40 innovative ideas. For two years, the camp has been hosted by the Silistra Branch of the University of Ruse. This year’s edition was marked by two novelties. For the first time students were involved in its work in the role of mentors of student teams, and also for the first time there was an international participation through the representatives of Ukreate Hub from Vilnius.
Project “Perspectives” is financed by the Erasmus+ Program and implemented by Association Parallel Silistra (lead partner), Association TAVO Europe, Lithuania, Association for Cooperation and Social Inclusion Amanei, Spain, Educational Institute Dorea, Cyprus.
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