The Regional Center for Social Economy and Social Innovation in Burgas hosted a screening of the documentary film "Labor and Solidarity."

17/02/2026

The Regional Center for Social Economy and Social Innovation in Burgas hosted a screening of the documentary film "Labor and Solidarity" (*Trud i Solidarnost*), which explores the history, evolution, and contemporary significance of production cooperatives and their National Union.
The film marks the 130th anniversary of the founding of the first production cooperative in Bulgaria—a significant milestone that revisits the roots of the cooperative movement and highlights its enduring relevance today.

The Head of the Regional Center for Social Economy and Social Innovation in Burgas welcomed the guests to the screening, expressing appreciation for their active participation and engagement. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of partnership, collaboration, and the development of social innovations as key drivers for building sustainable communities and an economy with a human face.

Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Lazarov, Chairman of the National Union of Production Cooperatives, highlighted the role of the cooperative movement within the modern social economy and its contribution to the sustainable development of society.

Georgi Zhelev, Chairman of the District Union of Production Cooperatives for the Burgas region, presented the activities of the regional branch, outlining its capabilities and the broad scope of its operations. Prof. Stefan Michev presented the book
"Labor – An Enduring Value: 130 Years of Labor-Productive Cooperatives in Bulgaria,"
authored by Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Lazarov, D.Sc., Prof. Stefan Michev, and Neli Tomova.