History

National Union of Worker Producers` Cooperatives Bulgaria /NUWPC/ is an integral part of the Bulgarian cooperative movement – one of the oldest in Europe, which has long-standing traditions and deep roots in the society.

The first cooperative in Bulgaria was established in 1890 in the village of Mirkovo.

The first Bulgarian worker producer`s cooperative (WPC) – tailor-workers' company "Progress" was established on October 1, 1895, in the town of Gabrovo. It is significant that "Progress" was founded in the year in which the International Cooperative Union has been also founded.

NUWPC has its origins in the Union of Craft Production Cooperatives, founded in 1919.

During the years National Union of Worker Producer`s Cooperatives has had the following names:

• Since 1919 – Union of Craft Production Cooperatives (UCPC)
• Since 1950 - General Union of Worker Producers` and Craft Cooperatives (GUWPCC)
• Since 1953 - Central Union of Worker Producers` Cooperatives (CUWPC)
• Since 1998 - National (Central) Union of Worker Producers` Cooperatives (NCUWPC)
• Since 2000 - National Union of Worker Producers` Cooperatives (NUWPC)