The leading Bulgarian manufacturer of veterinary products „Biovet“ AD donated 19.2 decares of land in the town of Peshtera in support of socially vulnerable communities.
The donation will support the Trust for a Social Alternative's program „Regulation and Housing Conditions“, aimed at regulating and legalizing neighborhoods outside regulation, implemented in partnership with the Community Investment Fund - Peshtera.
The initiative was formalized with an agreement signed by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of „Biovet“, Kiril Domuschiev, the Executive Director of „Trust for a Social Alternative“ Foundation, Sarah Perrin; the President of the „America for Bulgaria“ Foundation, Nancy Schiller; and the Executive Director of the Community Investment Fund – Peshtera, Kiril Iliev.
In the photo: The Chairman of the Supervisory Board of „Biovet“, Kiril Domuschiev; the President of the „America for Bulgaria“ Foundation, Nancy Schiller; the Executive Director of the „Trust for a Social Alternative“ Foundation, Sarah Perrin; and the Executive Director of the Community Investment Fund – Peshtera, Kiril Iliev.
Within the framework of this program, the Trust for a Social Alternative, with the support of the „America for Bulgaria“ Foundation, and in partnership with the Municipality of Peshtera and „Biovet“, is working to include the properties in the Oreshaka area (Pirin district) in a detailed development plan, so that each house is located on a separate plot. Peshtera is the first municipality to successfully implement the model developed by the experts of the Trust for a Social Alternative.
With the decision to donate 19.2 acres of land for the “Regulation and Housing Conditions” program, “Biovet” continues the established tradition of supporting and assisting the residents of Peshtera municipality and especially the local socially vulnerable communities, Domuschiev said during the event with the participation of the Board of Directors of the “America for Bulgaria” Foundation.
He emphasized that through this donation, members of these communities will have the opportunity to obtain legal status for their homes, which in turn will create prerequisites for improving their general well-being through the construction of adjacent infrastructure with the assistance of the Peshtera municipality and other partners, as well as for ensuring normal and a dignified lifestyle for their children and other family members, in line with the requirements of the modern world.
The “Biovet“ plant in Peshtera employs many people from socially vulnerable communities, including Roma, and I am glad to be involved in the implementation of this socially significant initiative, which is not the first and certainly will not be the last, but will significantly change the lives of these people“, added the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the company.
This will enable 43 households from socially vulnerable communities, whose current homes are located on these properties, to acquire them with a regulated legal status and purchase the land. Thus, the local administration will be able to invest in the renovation and development of the social and technical infrastructure for the vulnerable communities in the neighborhood.
This is an impressive gesture of generosity and support from Mr. Kiril Domuschiev and Mr. Angel Zhelyazkov (Executive Director of „Biovet“) on behalf of „Biovet“, said the president of the „America for Bulgaria“ Foundation Nancy Schiller.
When a neighborhood is regulated, families in it receive not just property ownership documents and legalization of their home - they receive security and a chance for a better life. This allows them to pay local taxes and fees, use municipal services, be equal citizens and contribute to the local economy.
The residents of the „Pirin“ neighborhood in the town of Peshtera have been waiting for this moment for a long time. With the donation of „Biovet“, they will take the first step towards true stability and a more peaceful future for their children,“ shared Sarah Perrin from the Trust for a Social Alternative.
In 2017, an innovative tripartite partnership was created to support of vulnerable communities, uniting the efforts of the Municipality of Peshtera, “Biovet“ and the Trust for Social Alternative.
The Community Investment Fund - Peshtera is a local non-governmental organization responsible for the sale of regulated land properties. With a team of lawyers and urban planning experts, the Fund is a reliable partner in efforts to formalize and include neighborhoods outside regulation in the general urban development plans. Together with the Trust and the Municipality of Peshtera, the Fund will carry out the regulation of the properties so that each individual house will be located on an independent plot.
After the regulation is completed, the Fund will work directly with residents to help them purchase the land on which their homes are built. The funds raised will be directed to future initiatives in support of socially vulnerable communities. For this purpose, an Advisory Council will be established with representatives of “Biovet“, the Trust and the Fund, which will monitor the process and ensure that the funds will be used for more similar causes.
This is an example of the power of public-private partnership and long-term commitment to people whose homes have so far been outside the regulation,“ emphasized Sara Perin.
The model is also successfully implemented in the town of Dupnitsa, where it covers 156 households.
Source: www.economic.bg