Project


Framework

In the framework of the INTERREG V-A Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020 programme, the two cooperating countries are implementing the project "Supporting Social Enterprises in Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion” ("Social Plate”). In April 2018, TH.C.M. established the "Social Food Aid Civic Non-Profit Company” with the distinctive title "Social Plate”. Aim of the project’s action is to combat poverty and social exclusion and to support social agencies with the same goals.

Title:Supporting Social Enterprises in combating poverty and social exclusion

Distinctive title:«SOCIAL PLATE»
Project duration:24 months
Priority Axis:4. An inter-border area with no exclusions
Thematic goal:09 – Combating poverty, discrimination and social exclusion
Investment Priority:9c. Providing support to social enterprises


Project information


The idea

The idea for ‘Social Plate’ was developed by TH.C.M. (Thessaloniki Central Market) S.A., as a contribution to the attempt to combat poverty and social exclusion and to the need to protect the environment. The goal of the programme is to provide food for weaker social groups, give work to the long-term unemployed and limit food waste. An integral part of the idea is to disseminate this solution to all social strata and gain their active participation in the attempt to change course and attitude in matters of food waste.

Every day, traders of the TH.C.M. S.A. deliver non-marketable fruits and vegetables to the "Social Plate” offices and under the supervision of the quality control manager, the products are separated to those that are suitable for consumption and to those that are not. Then, with the help of volunteers from the agencies that benefit from the programme, the products are repackaged. Social agencies of the region (Social Grocery Stores, Non-Governmental Organisations, Church Kitchens, Collectives, etc.) that are working with the programme receive the recovered products and distribute them, cooked or fresh, to vulnerable groups of our society. In this way, homeless, unemployed, refugees, and anyone in need of a plate of food, can get it thanks to all the volunteers working with "Social Plate”.



A few words about our programme


The Cooperation Programme "Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020” was approved by the European Commission on 13/12/2016 by Decision C(2016)8708.

Budget:The total budget (ERDF and national contribution) for the European Territorial Programme "Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013” is €130,262,835.00 .The total financing consists of €110.723.409,75 (85%) ERDF funding and €19.539.425,25 (15%) national contribution.

Eligible area:The eligible area of the Programme consists of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Prefectures of Evros, Kavala, Xanthi, Rodopi and Drama) and the Region of Central Macedonia (Prefectures of Thessaloniki and Serres) in Greece and the South-Central Planning Region and South-West Planning Region (Districts of Blagoevgrad, Smolyan, Kardjali and Haskovo) in Bulgaria.
Project duration:24 months

The Greece-Bulgaria cross-border cooperation area for the programming period 2014-2020 is identical to the current ETC programme. It extends to 40.202 km2 and has a total population of 2.7 million inhabitants. It covers four territorial units at NUTS II level (Regions), and 11 territorial units at NUTS III level (Districts). The eligible area extends across the entire Greek-Bulgarian border and is neighbouring with Turkey (east) and FYROM (west), both countries aspiring to access to the EU. It is part of the most south-eastern non-insular area of EU, and it is situated between three seas: the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Ionian-Adriatic Sea. Finally, it sits at the crossroad of strategic fossil fuel pipelines supplying the EU market and TEN transport axes.
The settlement structure of the area is characterized by the presence of 10 medium-large cities (>50.000 inhabitants) which accumulate 38,2% of total population, and 25 small cities (10.000-50.000 inhabitants).
Despite the historically relatively small amounts of funds allocated, there is a long history of cooperation in the eligible area, which started with Community initiative INTERREG I (1989-1993).

The priority axes are:

PA 1: A Competitive and Entrepreneurship Promoting Cross-Border Area
PA 2: A Sustainable and climate adaptable Cross-Border area
PA 3: A better interconnected Cross-Border Area
PA 4: A socially inclusive Cross-Border area
PA 5: Technical Assistance