Strengthening the Bread Houses Network in Bulgaria

About this grant

Since its establishment in 2008 in Sofia, Bulgaria, the International Council for Cultural Centers has been developing bread houses around the world, and now they exist in 18 countries. Bread houses are community centers that host bread baking and various other activities for groups of people of very diverse backgrounds, thus encouraging relationships across ethnic and religious origins and social status. The grantee will expand and strengthen its network of bread houses in Bulgaria, expand its programs for refugee community inclusion through bread-making activities, support the transformation of five bread houses into successful social enterprises, and promote the bread houses model nationally and internationally. The program goal is to strengthen the participation of marginalized groups and individuals in the lives of their communities throughout Bulgaria. The model has been successful in increasing the social capital in communities; strengthening civic spirit; and increasing the skills, self-esteem, and employability of the participating individuals. During the past grant period, the grantee established two new bread houses, organized over 400 bread-making events with more than 4,500 participants, introduced a special program for refugee inclusion and involved 110 refugees, and increased its income from paid services threefold.