| چکیده |
Summary: Enterprises with social aims in Bulgaria have a long history and tradition, mainly in the form of the powerful cooperative movement and community cultural centres (chitalishta). These influential institutions first displayed the main characteristics of future social enterprises. Cooperatives experienced a remarkable expansion before World War II as a form of economic organisation that allowed people with limited material resources to cope with economic and social problems. In historical terms, cooperatives and chitalishta have centuries’ long traditions in the country. A third pillar, enterprises that provide sheltered employment for people with disabilities, also contributes to the development of contemporary social enterprises. Such enterprises started to emerge at the beginning of the 20th century. They underwent a rapid growth and development in the period 1951-1989 due to the legally defined right of reserved market niches for their products. After a period of difficulties during the first decade of transition, currently the enterprises facilitating work integration of disabled people are gradually restoring their capacity to fulfil their functions. As for the associations and foundations, their development started in the first half of 20th century although they faced interruption during the socialist period, and after 1990 non-profit organisations (NPOs) again experienced fast expansion. In the current period of democratic development social enterprises emerged mainly as an evolution of the following forms: cooperatives, enterprises for work integration of people with disabilities, plus associations and foundations. Still, the services delivered by the range of social enterprises operating in Bulgaria do not match the growing unmet needs arising in society, including the integration of vulnerable people.
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