On 16 October, the National Network for Children (NNC) presented two key initiatives to representatives of the business community aimed at supporting children and families: the “Child-Friendly Company” certification and the development of the Children’s House. The meeting took place as part of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum’s (BBLF) Meet BBLF Success series in Sofia and focused on opportunities for long-term partnerships between businesses and civil society organisations.
The event was opened by Anton Panayotov, Managing Director of Alaric Securities and Chair of BBLF. He welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of partnerships that deliver positive social impact.
“Today’s children are tomorrow’s interns, employees, partners, taxpayers, employers and leaders. All the efforts we invest in their well-being matter and will bear fruit in the very near future.”
Alexandra Mircheva, Programme Director for Education and Skills at the Association for Innovation, Business Services and Technology (AIBEST), highlighted the link between education, young people’s skills and the future of the Bulgarian economy. She emphasised the importance of cooperation between businesses and civil society organisations in establishing shared priorities and developing sustainable solutions.
“Education is about the kind of economy we will have in the future. I am glad that, together with the National Network for Children and other expert civil society organisations, we are working on advocacy and building a common agenda around key issues and the reforms that are needed. I encourage businesses to actively support civil society organisations and causes for children, because the need is enormous. Support is not only financial; it is also important that we work together to define and champion society’s priorities,” Alexandra Mircheva said.
Maria Brestnichka, Programme Director at NNC, presented the Network’s mission and some of its most significant achievements over the past 20 years.
“Over these 20 years, together with our member organisations, partners and with the support of businesses, we have helped bring about important changes in the lives of children in Bulgaria – from the development of family-based care and the promotion of child participation to ensuring access to medical foods for hundreds of children and enabling 20,000 children to receive the book they had always dreamed of. This shows how much we can achieve when we join forces for children.”
“Child-Friendly Company”: Making Children’s Well-Being Part of Business Strategy
Georgi Bogdanov, Executive Director of NNC, presented the “Child-Friendly Company” certification – an initiative that helps companies assess the extent to which children’s rights and interests are integrated into their policies, governance and everyday practices.
The certification does not simply recognise individual charitable initiatives. Instead, it assesses a company’s long-term policies and practices across four key areas:
- Employees and Families – supporting working parents and promoting work-life balance.
- Corporate Governance – responsible employment practices and policies that take the impact on children into account.
- Products, Services and Communications – responsible marketing and consideration for children and young consumers.
- Community Engagement – long-term initiatives and investments in children’s well-being and local communities.
The certification process includes a self-assessment, an independent audit, an analytical report with recommendations, a review by a certification committee and follow-up monitoring. This gives companies an independent assessment of their practices, helping them identify their strengths and areas for improvement. BBLF also participates in the independent assessment process through its representation on the audit committee.
The certification enables companies to recognise both their strengths and the areas in which they can improve. It supports employers in creating a family-friendly working environment, attracting and retaining employees, strengthening trust and better accounting for their social impact in the context of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and sustainable development.
The model developed by NNC has been registered as a European Union trademark. Its first international step was the licensing of the model to the Kosovo Network for Children (KOMF).
“It is important to us that businesses see caring for children not merely as charity, but as part of how a company plans, manages and develops its operations. The certification helps employers assess their actual practices, identify opportunities for improvement and create a more sustainable environment for children and families,” said Georgi Bogdanov.
Become a Child-Friendly Company!
Find out more about the certification and the certification process at child-friendly.eu.
During the Q&A session that followed, Vanya Bozhilova-Stoyanova, PR and CSR Manager at dm Bulgaria, shared the company’s experience as it approaches the final stage of the certification process. She highlighted the benefits of independent external assessment and the opportunity for companies to receive objective feedback on their practices and identify new areas for development.
“For me, the most valuable aspect of the certification is the opportunity for a company to gain an objective perspective on its own practices and understand how it can improve them. This is not a process in which someone tests you; it is an opportunity to receive useful feedback and discover new directions for development,” she said.
Companies already certified in Bulgaria include Lidl Bulgaria, UniCredit Bulbank and Kaufland Bulgaria.
The Children’s House: A Space for Every Child
The second key topic of the meeting was the development of the Children’s House – a future community centre for early childhood development and a national centre for training and advocacy on children’s rights.
The Children’s House will welcome children and young people from across Bulgaria, regardless of their background, social status or health condition. It will host educational programmes, training sessions, interactive activities and initiatives promoting child participation. The space will also provide opportunities for parents and families to meet and access support, as well as for professionals and organisations working with children.
The project also envisages the development of a social enterprise offering opportunities to gain work experience and skills to young people in vulnerable situations, including those leaving foster care or residential institutions.
Georgi Bogdanov presented NNC’s vision for the Children’s House as a space that will bring together children, families, civil society organisations, institutions and businesses, while supporting the development and participation of young people.
Dr Eng. Krum Rangelov, the project manager, presented the progress of construction, the upcoming stages and the resources needed to complete the building. He outlined ways in which businesses can contribute, both through financial donations and by providing construction materials and equipment.
“A Brick for a Cause” – Everyone Can Help Build the Children’s House
As a token of appreciation for the hospitality of our hosts, the Bulgarian Association of Innovative Technologies (BRAIT), we presented them with an “A Brick for a Cause” gift as a symbolic gesture of support for the development of the Children’s House.
Anyone can contribute to this cause through the charitable initiative “A Brick for a Cause”. Donations range from €50 to €300, enabling individuals, companies and organisations to support the creation of a space for learning, development and participation for children and young people from across Bulgaria.
Every donor will have a place on the future “Wall of Hope” at the Children’s House. The names of those who support its construction will be engraved on the wall, allowing children, families and all visitors to see the community that helped make this place a reality.
Get involved and choose your “Brick for a Cause” to help create the Children’s House – a place for every child in Bulgaria.
Choose your “Brick for a Cause”
At the end of the meeting, guests had the opportunity to visit the Children’s House construction site and see the progress of the project first-hand.
We would like to thank the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) for the opportunity to present NNC’s initiatives to the business community, the Bulgarian Association of Innovative Technologies (BRAIT) for its hospitality, and A Data Pro for providing the venue for the event.
