Invest Sofia Is Now Part of the “Socially Responsible for Integration” initiative
The Sofia Municipal Privatization & Investment Agency (Invest Sofia), the Sofia Development Association and the Sofia Municipal Guarantee Fund for SMEs (MGFSME) hosted a meeting with companies and employers to discuss issues related to the integration of refugees into the labor market in our city. 
The event was organized under a project led by the Sofia Development Association, funded by UNHCR, and focused on improving the conditions for the integration of refugees in Sofia. Companies that already employ refugees and those that would like to employ but need more information and guidance took part in the meeting.
The CEO of Invest Sofia presented to the participants the dedicated website, which was created with the support of the Sofia Municipality just a week after the start of the war in Ukraine. The website aims at supporting the process of hiring Ukrainian refugees. Almost 30% of all job seekers registered on the platform have already managed to find a job. 
Rukia Abdul Aziz, UNHCR Integration Associate, and Nikolay Tsenkov, Manager at MGFSME presented various financial and non-financial incentives and instruments to help employers.
The Sofia Development Association is planning a series of similar events during 2023. The project “Support for the development of integration policies and services for refugees in Sofia” is implemented with the financial support of UNHCR.
UNHCR Bulgaria and SofiaLab presented the initiative “Socially responsible for integration: Measures to support employers and access of refugees to the labor market in Sofia”.
Maria Hristova, CEO of Invest Sofia presented data on the labor market in Sofia and the new platform for bringing together employers and refugees looking for work. UNHCR Bulgaria presented initiatives and instruments for the integration of refugees in Bulgaria. 
It is a common misconception that refugees have a low level of education, live on handouts, and can be a social burden. In fact, refugees may have had to leave everything behind, but what they bring with them is a wealth of skills and experience and a strong motivation to work and contribute to the well-being of their new communities.
