Project BGLD-1.007-0042 „Integrated approach to create employment, stimulate economic activity and support an innovative model for interactive exposure of the local cultural-historical heritage and art in Dimitrovgrad Municipality“

"STRATEGIC VISION" LTD is a beneficiary under Contract No. BGLD-1.007-0042-C02 for the implementation of the project "Integrated approach to create employment, stimulate economic activity and support an innovative model for interactive exposure of the local cultural-historical heritage and art in Municipality of Dimitrovgrad", financed by procedure No. BGLD-1.007 - Small grant scheme "Creation of jobs" of the Program "Local development, poverty reduction and improved inclusion of vulnerable groups" with the financial support of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021. The project envisages the implementation of measures aimed at creating sustainable employment and stimulating economic activity at the local level. At the same time, the project envisages the implementation of an innovative approach to support employment, by using innovative tools for the promotion, development and popularization of the local cultural-historical heritage and art. The activities planned within the project are in fulfillment of the Strategy for Local Development of the Municipality of Dimitrovgrad, developed within the framework of the "Growth through Activation of Local Potential (GALOP)" Project. The strategy for local development of Dimitrovgrad municipality. The activities of the project are in accordance with the First strategic objective, Second and Third priority, measures: Construction of a tourist information center and Development of integrated regional tourist products and routes.

The current project covers measures in three specific categories of activities: - SKD 1 – "Creation of jobs", - SKD 2 – "Investments in innovative approaches for the development of local employment", - SKD 3 – "Providing information about vacancies, organizing events for employers and job seekers". The main goal of the project is: development of innovative approaches aimed at stimulating economic activity and creating jobs in the Municipality of Dimitrovgrad, by using new, creative tools for the promotion, development and popularization of the local cultural-historical heritage and local art. Specific objectives of the project are: 1. Disclosure of 6 pcs. new jobs and activation of long-term inactive persons; 2. Creating job opportunities for disadvantaged groups; 3. Organization and conduct of trainings to increase the capacity of newly appointed employees; 4. Development of innovative approaches for the development of local employment; 5. Creation of conditions for promotion of the cultural and historical heritage of Dimitrovgrad municipality and the region, through interactive exposure; 6. Solidification of the potential of Dimitrovgrad Municipality for the development of cultural and historical tourism; 6. Development of an innovative approach for providing information to job seekers; 7. Organization of meetings between employers and job seekers in the field of culture and tourism; 8. Exchange of experience and good practices with a partner from the Kingdom of Norway; The realization of the set objectives will lead to the achievement of the general objective of the program to support innovative approaches aimed at stimulating economic activity and creating jobs in the target areas. The implementation of the project will also have additional added value for the municipality of Dimitrovgrad, expressed in the development of cultural and historical tourism in the region. By achieving the above objectives, the project will also contribute to the general objectives of the EIP FM: - Reduction of economic and social differences in the EIP; - Deepening of bilateral relations between the donor countries Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein and beneficiary countries, among which is Bulgaria. Target groups within the current project proposal are: - Unemployed and inactive persons; - Employers providing jobs for unemployed persons in Dimitrovgrad municipality; - Employees of the organization managing the project and of the partner organizations; - Local stakeholders. In support of the above, the project is implemented in partnership with an organization from the donor country - Glemmen videregående skole - Fredrikstad, Norway. On the Bulgarian side, the project partners are the Historical Museum - Dimitrovgrad and Drama Theater "Apostol Karamitev" - Dimitrovgrad. The duration of the project is 14 months, with the start date of its implementation being 28.02.2023, and the completion date – 30.04.2024. The amount of the granted financial aid is BGN 296,949.11

The following activities are carried out within the project: Activity 1: Project management and implementation of awareness and publicity measures. Within the framework of the activity, a project management team was formed, including a Manager and an Accountant, which ensured the successful administration and reporting of the project. Part of the activity is also the implementation of information and publicity measures, through which the contribution and goals of FMnaEIP are popularized. Activity 2: Creation of jobs on the territory of the Dimitrovgrad municipality, in accordance with SKD 1. In order to stimulate economic activity and integrate the unemployed and inactive persons into the labor market, 5 new jobs were opened within the scope of the activity - 3 in History Museum and 2 in Drama Theater. A Tour Guide, an Exhibition and Events Coordinator and a Public Relations Expert have been appointed in the museum, and an Actor and a Sound Technician in the drama theater, all of whom are guaranteed employment for a minimum of 12 months. Activity 3: Investments in innovative approaches for the development of local employment in the municipality of Dimitrovgrad, in accordance with SKD2. The activity aims, on the one hand, to provide support for the development of local economic activity and the integration of unemployed and inactive persons into the labor market, and on the other hand, by applying an innovative approach to the development of local employment, to promote the cultural and historical potential and the possibilities for tourism on the territory of Dimitrovgrad municipality. In the implementation of the activity, 1 job position was opened at "Strategika Vision" EOOD - Expert programs and projects, and the appointed person is guaranteed employment for 12 months within the project. The beneficiary has made a commitment to sustainability, and after the end of the project, the workplace will be retained for a period of an additional 12 months. We will implement an innovative approach to popularize the local cultural and historical heritage by developing a website and its interactive exposition, through the possibility of 3-D virtual tours and viewing rich photographic material. Activity 4: Organization of events for employers and jobseekers in accordance with SKD3. Within the framework of the activity, it is planned to develop an innovative approach for providing information to jobseekers and subsequently organize meetings between employers and jobseekers and create job opportunities for disadvantaged people (long-term unemployed, elderly people of pre-retirement age, young people, young mothers, single parents, people with disabilities, low-skilled persons, including representatives of Roma and Turkish minorities), by providing accessible information about vacancies.