The Sofia Municipality announced a new funding programme, Crisis as an opportunity. The scheme will support civil society organisations, social enterprises, and small businesses in becoming more adaptable and sustainable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The crisis caused by the pandemic has tested the way organisations operate, and highlighted existing problems, as well as the need for entirely new services. It has led to the mobilisation of people, organisations and institutions, but also to the distancing of existing teams and communities.

As the crisis is expected to have lasting consequences, however, it may be viewed as an opportunity for enhancing the adaptability of organisations and businesses, the call notes. In particular, the pandemic has revealed the increased importance of digital assets, connectivity, and savvy digital skills.

The Crisis as an opportunity programme includes two areas:

• Area 1: Digital adaptation and achieving sustainability of organisations, under which a project can receive up to 10 000 EUR and benefit from a mentorship scheme;
• Area 2: Community development, under which a project can receive up to 5 000 EUR and benefit from a mentorship scheme;

The programme’s overall budget is 250 000 EUR. 

The deadline for applications is 16 November 2020. All details may be found here.