Non-profit Organisation “Home of science and technology”

Vratsa, Bulgaria

The Beginning

• 1921 – Bulgarian Engineering-architectural society – Branch Vratsa

• 1971 – Opening of the present building of HST - Vratsa

• 1992 – NGO “HST” Vratsa

• 2006 – Extension of the building made by our own resources

After the Change in 1989

• Reconstruction of the economics on the market principles

• Beginning of a new reality and challenges for our organisation

Our Mission

• Increasing the human potential by providing quality, accessible and diverse in its shape and strength training, in completion with the national traditions and combined with the European dimensions for lifelong learning

Our Mission

• Promoting democratic values, rules and norms to the society

• Direct the teenagers and young people to the technical values and creativity to support the economy.

Main Priorities of Our Activities

• Conducting of effective training activity

• Expanding contacts with international organizations

• International projects realization

• Investment activity

• Working with young people

Main Priorities in Our Activities

• Supporting members of the scientific and technical companies

• Development and strengthening of civil society in the region

• Social Activities

• Charity

The Last 20 years

• More than 600 science-technical activities

- Conferences

- Discussions

- Round tables

- Seminars

- Exhibitions

Work with Young People

• Attracting young people to – Civic education– Participation in local government

– Reducing youth unemployment through access to vocational education

• We are members of the National Network for Children

Training Activity

• Aims:

- Professional qualification

- Creation of additional skills

- Providing training for successful integration on the labor market- Starting of private business

• In more than 1220 courses are trained more than 14 500 participants

International Programmes

• 12 projects as a leading organisation

• 17 projects as a partner

• 2 projects as a contractor

Now

• One project in implementation

• One project in evaluation

Completed Projects

• Under PHARE Programme projects for training of disadvantaged people

• Under Programme “Improving the social environment” of the на Foundation for Civil Society Development - more than 600 persons are trained

• Presentation of the Consultancy Grant Scheme Phase 2 "Improving the competitiveness of Bulgarian enterprises”

Results from Completed Projects

• Under Programme “Democracy Network "of the Institute for Sustainable Communities in the U.S. 160 representatives of NGOs, local government and state institutions were trained in series of seminars

• We are a member of the National Network for Monitoring of Civil court established under the project "Justice closer to the people" of the NGO Center in Razgrad, funded by Foundation "America for Bulgaria"

Results from Completed Projects

• Building of two training centers in Krivodol and Oryahovo

• Integration of unemployed people into the labor market through vocational training

• Education of children from Homes for children without parents in building courses and tailoring

• Social integration of disabled people through training in traditional crafts

• Integration of children from Homes for children without parents by training in folk applied arts

Results from Completed Projects

• Surveys and analyses - Private sector in the region

- Opportunities for business development in the region

• Participants in entrepreneurship courses receive support to develop their own business plans

Issued Teaching Manualsand Handbooks

• Manual for the state of NGOs in the region

• Manual of training organizations in the region

• Handbook on Entrepreneurship• Handbook on general farming skills• Handbook on Herbs• Handbook on perennial plants• Handbook on Textile

Charity

• Campaign “Adopt a Family from Vratsa”• Scholarships for students of technical subjects• Supporting the participation of students from the

city in national competitions• Competitions

- Engineer of the Year- Teacher of the year contributing to the training of outstanding students in science and technology- Best young specialist- Days of the profession- Olympiad in technical drawing

Thank you!