Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria earned the "Investor in Knowledge" award at the BBLF Responsible Business Awards

The prestigious recognition is for the sustainable participation of the company's team in the Youth Empowered educational program

The educational program of Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria - Youth Empowered, was awarded within the Bulgarian Forum of Business Leaders’ Annual Awards for Responsible Business . The company's team won first place in the "Investor in Knowledge" category, as the statuette was presented by the Minister of Education and Science - Prof. Nikolay Denkov during an official ceremony.

The Youth Empowered program provides full training to thousands of young people aged 16-26, focusing on three main target groups: primary education students from schools with a high dropout rate, final stage of secondary education students and college students. The focus of the efforts is on the development of skills that will help the young people to have a smooth start, when entering the labor market.

Since its inception in 2017 until today, more than 300 professionals have dedicated nearly 4,000 hours to volunteering under the program, thanks to which they have trained more than 16,000 young people across the country. In the program’s heart are its mentors, including a number of Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria experts who support the development of personal skills and business competencies in young people.

“As a responsible business, we believe that we must continue to help future young professionals, and one day managers, to acquire and develop key knowledge and successful practices. We will continue to build our efforts in this direction sustainably, because our work so far proves that when education and business move forward hand in hand with volunteering - the results are not late”, said Maya Ivanova, Corporate Partnerships and Social Responsibility Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria during the ceremony.

The annual awards for responsible business at the Bulgarian Forum of Business Leaders are presented for the 19th consecutive year, and the ceremony was held under the motto "Give a good example". The awards aim to honor companies that consistently and effectively develop and support projects that have a positive effect on people, nature, and society, and at the same time seek to encourage other business representatives to develop active social policies. In this year's edition of the competition, 116 projects of 80 companies were nominated.

A few days ago, Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria was honored for its results with the Youth Empowered program and in the annual TimeHeroes Volunteer Awards – “THE HEROES”.

*Photos: Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum