The training program was created in partnership with the Faculty of Economics of SU “St. Kliment Ohridski” and begins on the eve of the 10th anniversary of CWBB

The Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria (CWBB) launched the country’s first certification Academy for “Diversity, Equality and Inclusion“. Its overall concept and training program are the result of a fruitful partnership between the organization and the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” (SU). The Academy is held with the support of Lidl Bulgaria.

Tsvetanka Mincheva, chairperson of CWBB, associate professor Atanas Georgiev, dean of the Faculty of Economics of SU and Katerina Shopova, director of “Human Resources” of Lidl Bulgaria, officially launched the initiative. They welcomed the participants with the wish to contribute to the creation and implementation of more and more policies for diversity and inclusion in the environment in Bulgaria.

“CWBB is a leading organization thanks to its sustainable key initiatives,” said Mrs. Mincheva. “In the year in which CWBB celebrates 10 years since the establishment of the organization, we are starting our next and I believe very successful program,” she added.

Associate Professor Georgiev emphasized that business leaders can provide an up-to-date perspective on developments in society. He emphasized that the network of contacts that the participants will create within the initiative is very valuable. 

Katerina Shopova shared that, as a top employer, Lidl Bulgaria stands behind the topics of diversity and equality, therefore it supports the Academy, both by providing scholarships to four participants after a competition, and by including employees from different units of the company to become diversity ambassadors in their teams.

Leading companies, representatives of the NGO sector and the academic community participate in the Academy’s program, which brings it additional value and quality.

The group of participants is also the epitome of diversity, as it includes people of different genders, ages and experiences. At its launch, they shared their expectations to gain experience and knowledge from the highly qualified lecturers, three of whom are also members of the Board of Directors of CWBB.

The first module of the new certification academy for “Diversity, Equality and Inclusion” was dedicated to belonging – factors, policies, practices. Speakers were Dr. Eng. Boryana Manolova, CEO of Siemens Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Ukraine, and chairperson of CWBB from the creation of the organization until June 2022, together with Rumyana Parusheva, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability Manager at Siemens Bulgaria. The session included interactive elements, games, discussions and shared good practices on belonging – both from the Siemens global concern and from our country.

The “Diversity, Equality and Inclusion” program will unfold in a total of 7 thematic modules spread over 4 months. They will cover the topics of equality, the benefits of inclusion, overcoming unconscious differences and the inclusive role of leadership and communications. Among the speakers in the program are Bulgarian and foreign leaders involved in the management of companies such as Lidl Bulgaria, Coca-Cola Company, Siemens, UniCredit Bulbank, Progress, The Smarts Group, as well as professors from SU “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

The Academy is a natural continuation of the National Awards for “Inspiring Achievements for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion” established by CWBB. Both initiatives aim to provoke active dialogue and action in society regarding policies to promote an inclusive environment, equal opportunities and non-discrimination.