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Special events and activities

The Bulgarian Network of Practice Enterprises is a state specialized unit for organizational and methodological support at the Ministry of Education and Science. It is funded by the state budget, EU funds and programs and other sources.

It organizes annual TF Fest – International Practice Enterprises Trade Fair Young Entrepreneur. This is a professional competition with the participation of school and university students. The forum presents the results of the integrated training in economics, information technologies, business administration and foreign languages. The participants demonstrate their competences in real business environment by carrying out negotiations, entering into transactions, presenting products and services and performing payments (fictitious). 

Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria is a national initiative aimed at promoting youth entrepreneurship and supporting the development of innovative business ideas among young people. The initiative is organised by the Fund of Funds in Bulgaria in partnership with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and is held under the patronage of the Minister of Innovation and Growth.

The competition serves as a platform for young people to develop entrepreneurial competences, gain practical experience and establish contacts with investors and business organisations. It is considered one of the most significant initiatives supporting youth entrepreneurship in Bulgaria.

The initiative aims to strengthen entrepreneurial culture among young people and to facilitate the transition from business ideas to viable start-ups. It provides:

• free training programmes and mentoring sessions delivered by experts from the entrepreneurial and academic ecosystem
• opportunities for networking with investors, accelerators and partner organisations
• access to information on funding opportunities and financial instruments
• practical experience in developing business models, marketing strategies and innovation projects
• participation in national finals and opportunities for further development at international level.

The initiative targets young people aged 18-29, including students, recent graduates and early-stage entrepreneurs. Participants may apply individually or in teams with either an innovative business idea or an already established start-up. In addition, high-school students with entrepreneurial interests may also be involved in certain editions of the competition.

Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria contributes to national youth policy priorities related to:

• fostering youth entrepreneurship and innovation
• improving employability and economic participation of young people
• strengthening links between education, research and business
• supporting sustainable and socially responsible business initiatives.

The initiative also brings together universities, public funding institutions, investment funds and private-sector partners, thus reinforcing cooperation within the national youth and innovation ecosystem.

Networks and partnerships

At national level, entrepreneurship promotion is supported through institutional structures such as the Fund of Funds, the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency, ministries responsible for economy, innovation, education and youth, as well as universities and regional innovation ecosystems.

Universities and youth-focused organisations play an important role in delivering non-formal education activities, entrepreneurship competitions, innovation labs and career guidance initiatives. Employer organisations and private-sector partners contribute through sponsorship, expertise, provision of work-based learning opportunities and participation in evaluation panels or investment schemes.

Through these collaborative mechanisms, public initiatives contribute to the development of entrepreneurial competences, innovation capacity and employability among young people, while also strengthening cooperation between stakeholders in the national youth and economic policy ecosystem.

One of the most visible initiatives is the national competition “Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria”, organised by the Fund of Funds in partnership with Sofia University and implemented under the patronage of the Minister of Innovation and Growth. The competition is implemented through a broad national network involving more than 60 partner organisations, including financing institutions, investment funds, accelerators, research organisations, universities, sectoral associations and media. This networked approach contributes to strengthening regional and national ecosystems for youth entrepreneurship and facilitates knowledge transfer and cooperation. 

In addition, public policy frameworks such as the National Strategy for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Bulgaria 2021-2030 (Национална стратегия за малките и средните предприятия 2021-2030) include measures to increase youth entrepreneurial activity through training, mentorship and cooperation with employers engaged in dual education and training. 

Public initiatives in Bulgaria place strong emphasis on multi-stakeholder partnerships. Entrepreneurship support activities are typically implemented through cooperation between public authorities, higher education institutions, business associations, financial intermediaries and youth-focused organisations.

At policy level, financial instruments funded under national and EU-supported programmes also promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among young people. For instance, recent financial instruments with a budget of EUR 33 million aim to encourage entrepreneurial activity and social economy development, with a specific focus on young people up to the age of 29. (Bulgarian News Agency) (last visited on 23 March 2026)

The Innovation Academy is another public-private educational partnership among organizations from private, academic, public and NGO sector in Bulgaria. The project develops student entrepreneurial skills and supports financially their first business ideas. The 12^th Innovation Academy in Bulgaria will be held in 2025. The 2025 edition is organized in partnership with the European Commission, 15 Bulgarian universities and the Rector’s Council in Bulgaria. The main goal of the Innovation Academy is to become an outsourced center for shared knowledge between the Bulgarian universities. Historically, the project has started in 2014 in partnership with one university in Sofia. In 2025, it is organized at national level in partnership of more than 15 universities and 50 local and international partners.

Partners involved in entrepreneurship promotion initiatives provide targeted activities for young people, including training programmes, mentoring, access to incubation and acceleration services, internships and opportunities to connect with investors and employers.