A team of experts (Veselin Trendafilov and Stefan Hristov) reviewed several initiatives from our partner “Badeshte” – Rakitovo. The first initiative concerned the purchase of equipment for a food store.
The initiative had been reviewed before by us in November 2014, but our decision then was to postpone it till completion of the building structure. The building was finished and complied with the requirements of the regulatory framework. There was a lavatory, place for rest and a dressing room. The building is situated in the center of district Zapad, town of Rakitovo. The applicant and his family had an experience in the food market as they had been working in the field in Greece. They have practical skills promoting their business. They had done some marketing research among the people from the neighborhood for their needs and preferences in food products. We discussed with the partner the co-financing the initiative with the capital of the fund in foundation “Badeshte”. The applicant will participate with 30% own investment according to our standard terms of financing. We assessed the initiative as good and prosperous and gave our approval for implementation.

Another initiative we reviewed was presented by Yanko Krivonosov for the purchase of pallet stacking machine. The applicant had his own company and so far had been working abroad. He intended to start a business in Bulgaria. The cost of the machine was approximately 11 000 leva. Our main concerns were that the applicant did not have a clear idea of the activities he would like to start. Our recommendations were that the partner to check the production capacity of the pallet stacking machine and to investigate the free market for pallets both in Rakitovo and in the nearby towns. The applicant should present a business plan and prove his skills in the field. Concerning the price of the machine we agreed on 50% own financing and the rest 50% from the fund.
Another proposal for initiative came from 2 men from roma origin, that were just buying a plot with a farm building on. They intended to start livestock farming and more concrete to raise pigs. Their proposal concerned funding the fencing of the property. The estimates were about 10 000 leva. A problem we encountered was the lack of clarity regarding the ownership papers and the status of the property. The proposal would be reviewed again after the purchase of the plot is finished and all the necessary papers are presented.
The partner introduced us with a proposal from Razlog that came from a teacher, from Roma origin, in Professional High School of Automobile transport. There were many children from Roma origin from Rakitovo studying in the High school. In the past years there was an increase in the number of tourists in Razlog. The teacher’s idea together with his students was to build motorized rickshas. The teacher had found a place to get the motors. The ricksa’s frames would be assembled by his students as part of their education. Subsequently the students themselves would drive the rickshas. The subject of the proposal concerned the purchase of two motors on the amount of 5 000 leva. We assessed the proposal as interesting and original. The main issues to be clarified were the intensity of usage of the rickshas, where the tourist service would be offered, for what period of the year the service would be available, what would be the cost of the service, would there be enough tourists that would take the propositions. It’s necessary to verify what permits would be needed for these vehicles. We suggested the applicant to check the opportunity the tourist service to be offered not only in Razlog, but in Bansko as well.
Another proposal we reviewed came from Milevi who were beneficiary of an old initiative for the purchase of a motor for a milking machine. Their contribution was almost paid. Now they applied for another initiative for the purchase of self tedder. The initiative was good. Together with my colleague Veselin Trendafilov we researched in advance the prices for the equipment in second hand stores and the stores for new agricultural equipment. Unfortunately there wasn’t such equipment available in the market. We checked even in internet for ads selling such machine, but there weren’t any. We concluded to go on searching for an offer and then implementation of the initiative. Milevi had a clear plan for the development of their livestock farming. They even shared that for the future they would be glad to be funded in the purchase of cows.
The last initiative discussed was the payment of Asen’s land and subsequent the legal transfer of land.