Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” marked a new milestone in their long-term partnership with the opening of a dedicated space for student interaction, ideas, and community development. The new “Social Room”, part of the Faculty’s Business Club, is the first of its kind within the university.

Author: Alma Mater TV

The company has invested over BGN 50,000 to enhance the academic and social environment of the faculty, aiming to provide students with an informal and inspiring setting for idea exchange, mentorship, project work, and hosting club initiatives and events.

The shared space was officially inaugurated in the presence of academic representatives, Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria officials, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Georgiev – Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. In his welcome speech, he emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating: “Student initiatives are a vital part of academic life at our faculty. I thank the colleagues from the Business Club and our partners from Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria for transforming a part of our building into a creative space for our community. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with more meaningful initiatives.”

“It is a true pleasure to return to the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, where I graduated years ago. I’m glad that today, together with the Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria team, we are creating new opportunities for young people. I believe that when business and education go hand in hand, they generate value not only for students but for society as a whole” said Krum Stoimenov, CFO of Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria, during the opening ceremony.

The new “Social Room” is yet another successful initiative under the ongoing collaboration between the company and the faculty, which has grown steadily over the years and includes a range of projects focused on students’ career and personal development. The shared space features three distinct areas – a project and brainstorming zone with board games, a chill-out area with table football for relaxation, and a cozy nook for studying and informal interaction in a welcoming atmosphere.

“For us in the Business Club, it’s a real joy to see how an idea becomes reality thanks to the combined efforts and the support of partners like Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria, without whom this wouldn’t have been possible. We believe the ‘Social Room’ will become a favorite spot for students – not only for leisure and fun but also for generating new ideas, partnerships, and projects” added Adriana Branicheva, Chair of the Business Club.

Last year, as part of the #YouthEmpowered program, Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration jointly launched a “Finance Academy” which offered dozens of young people valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in finance and business with the help of company experts. For the past eight years, #YouthEmpowered has been encouraging the personal and professional development of young people in Bulgaria by providing them with practical skills and inspiration for a successful start. Thanks to the dedication of hundreds of expert volunteers from the Coca-Cola HBC team, more than 31,000 young people aged 16 to 26 across the country have successfully completed trainings on key topics since the program’s inception.