New Horizons Association was registered at the Smolyan District Court on 25.02.2003.
The main strategic objective of New Horizons is to prepare the civil society in the region of Smolyan (non-government organisations, business representatives, educational and training institutions, local and regional authorities, media and the other members of the local community) to act as a full member of the European Community which the country joined on 01.01.2007.
The major fields of activity of the Association are:
Provision of versatile information on a wide range of issues, concerning the EU;
Consultation on specific issues of EU-related subject matter;
Development of projects to be financed by the EU funds and other donor programmes;
Development of business plans;
Assistance in the identification of partners from the country and the EU;
New Horizons Association is an independent non-government non-profit organisation. We implement our projects in partnership with the local and regional authorities, the business and other stakeholders. The Association is interested in involvement in projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, biodiversity, etc.
Main projects realised by the Association
“EuroBureau for Information, Consultation and Training”
“Public Forum for Promotion of the European Customer Protection Legislation and its Enforcement among the Civil Society in Smolyan”
Project for establishment of a hosting structure of the Europe Direct Information Network in Smolyan, co-financed by GD “Communication” of the European Commission (EC).
The Association team has been working together on 22 projects for alleviation of the negative consequence on the environment from the mining industry.
All employees have university education and post-graduate degrees in economics, tourism, finance, EU project management, etc. They have attended various training courses and seminars like Team Formation, Strategic Planning, Local Economic Development Planning, Local Development and Partnership, Time Management, Communication Skills, Project Development, Training of Trainers, Training for Moderators, SME Business Consultation, etc.
The Association has developed projects in the following main fields:
Business Support Projects
Regional Development Projects
Human Resources Development Projects
Agricultural Projects (ecologic biodiversity):
Partnership
In its activity, New Horizons relies on partnership with and support from educational institutions, NGOs and municipal administrations from the Middle Rhodopes, with which the Association has worked jointly in different stages of its development. NGOs from other parts of the country are also welcome as partners, as well as from the rest of the EU Member States.
Currently the Association is a member of two partner networks:
- The network of the Balkan Institute for Labour and Social Policy which includes 14 NGOs from all over Bulgaria;
- Through the Euro Info Centre hosted by the Association, New Horizons are member of the Europe Direct Pan-European Network. The potential for partner initiatives within this network is unlimited in practice, having in mind the types of organisations and thematic fields.
