Community Development

Community Fund mobilizes public and private resources to address local problems

The Future for Children with Disabilities Association serves children with disabilities and their families.

Bulgarian organization displayed commitment to disabled IT users as it went from trainee to trainer. Back in 2003, Bulgarian telecenters participated in a USAID introductory workshop on information technology for people with disabilities. In 2007, the Telecenter Association organized its own workshop for disabled users and their support organizations.

“I believe in young people. We have to help them make their dreams come true here in Bulgaria”, says statistics teacher Mita Georgieva, who helps Junior Achievement Bulgaria introduce its entrepreneurship programs at Bulgarian schools.

Peace Corps Volunteer Trevor Lake shares his experience supporting a community project to improve health care for rural citizens. "The key I have found is to listen to the community members and to help turn their ideas and suggestions into reality."

The Gabrovo Community Fund was established under the USAID Community Funds and Social Enterprises (CFSE) program in 2002. Thanks to the Fund’s fundraising efforts and the contributions of individuals, businesses, and institutions, the Gabrovo Hospital was significantly refurbished in the last 4 years.

Participants from all 10 schools in Blagoevgrad submitted more than 150 posters and paintings and over 60 essays and poems in a contest entitled "Kids Against Violence." All entries were displayed in the lobby of the City Hall.

The purposeful work of the USAID Community Funds Program and Participant Training Program left behind a national Association of Community Foundations in Bulgaria that will ensure the sustainability of its members.

Local Roma NGO and Peace Corps Volunteer take an abandoned building and turn it into a learning center filled with opportunities.
The Educational and Informational Center for Children and Parents was officially opened on October 11, 2006 in the southern Bulgarian town of Rakitovo.

The Day Center "From Us, For Us" provides services and care to disabled people to bring them out of isolation. Disabled people of different ethnic origins from Kardzhali and neighboring villages have a cozy place to meet and socialize.

The project preserves a visual chronicle of the colorful lifestyle and customs of the Roma who live in Kardzhali’s Borovets district through organizing photography classes for 18 people. For ten months the young participants learned about the history of photography, techniques of taking pictures, composition and lighting.

Until recently none of the inhabitants of the five Roma neighborhoods in the town of Dupnitsa could enjoy public Internet access. Thanks to the efforts of local Roma entrepreneur Georgi Georgiev, the Roma from the neighborhood “Gizdova mahala” now have their first Internet club.

In 2005, Krasimira Lazarova was looking for ways to support her goal of building a social integration center for mentally disabled and HIV-positive individuals. After attending a USAID-sponsored workshop she drew up a business plan that would help her reach her goal.
“We are successful because we have a clear goal. We have drawn up our strategy and pursued it step by step, overcoming challenges and difficulties,” Krasimira Lazarova, Health and Ethics Association Chairwoman, Stara Zagora.

As the water began to recede, homes were reduced to piles of rubble.

USAID Trains Over 2,000 at Community-Run Computer Centers