Blog post —
SUNOTEC Foundation Champions Local Community Development
How the SUNOTEC Foundation supports sports clubs and local communities from Sofia to Shumen.
From the very beginning, SUNOTEC has considered supporting social causes, sports clubs and local organisations a natural part of the way we do business. Over the years, the company has supported dozens of initiatives proposed by both our employees and organisations working to strengthen their communities.
As this experience grew, it became clear that achieving lasting, meaningful social impact requires a clear strategy. This led to the establishment of the SUNOTEC Foundation nearly two years ago. An extension of our corporate philosophy and a dedicated framework through which our social engagement has gained clear priorities, structure and a long-term vision.
The Foundation is funded entirely by SUNOTEC and does not rely on external financing or fundraising campaigns. This model gives it the independence to plan long-term initiatives, establish sustainable partnerships and invest in causes that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Its work is rooted in the belief that a sustainable business is responsible not only for its economic performance, but also for the communities in which it operates. The Foundation therefore focuses on consistent, long-term engagement and the development of effective models of support, rather than one-off donations.
“Our ambition is to be an active partner in the development of these communities. To build sustainable models of support, bring together businesses, non-governmental organisations and local communities around meaningful causes, and inspire more people to contribute to positive change,” says Kaloyan Velichkov, founder and CEO of SUNOTEC.
How our initiatives take shape
One of the defining characteristics of the Foundation is the way its initiatives are identified and developed. Many originate from the ground up, as ideas proposed by SUNOTEC employees who recognise a specific need and choose to become personally involved.
“We encourage our colleagues to participate actively by proposing causes, contributing their time and knowledge, taking personal responsibility and making these initiatives their own. In this way, social responsibility becomes more than a separate activity. It becomes part of our shared culture and a natural extension of how we work and live,” explains SUNOTEC’s communications team.
At the same time, the Foundation has its own governance structure, which proactively assesses societal needs, monitors developments across different areas and identifies projects with measurable impact. The strongest initiatives emerge where the commitment of our colleagues meets the strategic vision of the Foundation’s governing bodies. Each potential initiative is carefully assessed according to its impact, sustainability, transparency and potential to grow over time.
Four strategic pillars
The work of the SUNOTEC Foundation is centred around four strategic pillars covering key areas of society.
In healthcare and quality of life, the Foundation supports initiatives that improve access to high-quality medical care, enhance people’s well-being and provide hope during difficult times.
The second pillar focuses on children, education and personal development through investments in knowledge, skills, entrepreneurial thinking and confidence among young people.
The third encompasses sustainability, society and social responsibility. It includes projects designed to create lasting social value while encouraging civic engagement and a responsible approach to people and the environment.
The fourth fundamental pillar is sport and active living. Here, the Foundation’s support aims to help young people develop discipline, perseverance, leadership skills and a sense of community.
This comprehensive vision is reflected in the diverse range of projects supported by the Foundation throughout Bulgaria.
At a critical moment for CSKA Volleyball Club, the Foundation’s support helped safeguard the continued operation of both the club and its youth academy. Through the SUNOTEC Sofia Cup, a children’s football tournament, the competition grew to a record 172 teams and more than 2,700 young participants.
In Elin Pelin, our collaboration with the Murgash Youth Academy has created training opportunities for more than 200 young athletes. Over 50 of them have already continued their development at some of Bulgaria’s leading football academies.
In Plovdiv, the Foundation serves as the main partner of Tepe Jamboree, a sports and cultural marathon that brings together 1,500 participants, 250 children, and dozens of people with disabilities and senior citizens in support of a more active and inclusive way of life.
Our support also extends across several regional centres. In Shumen, a partnership is helping develop American football among young people and women. In Veliko Tarnovo, it has enabled the women’s handball team Tornovgrad to participate in international tournaments in France. In Radomir, joint projects with the local authorities have led to the construction of a modern pump track.
It is at the intersection of sport and support for children and young people that the Foundation sees some of its greatest potential to help build a more sustainable future.
“In the context of sport, this means investing consistently in the future. Every child who is given the opportunity to train, develop and embrace values such as discipline, respect, perseverance and teamwork represents an investment in a stronger society,” concludes Hristo Arabadzhov, member of the Board of the SUNOTEC Foundation.
Stories from the Field
CSKA Volleyball Club
CSKA Volleyball Club
CSKA Volleyball Club is one of Bulgaria’s most successful and widely recognised sports organisations. Today, more than 250 children train at its youth academy across 12 teams, alongside the club’s senior men’s and women’s teams.
The partnership between SUNOTEC and CSKA Volleyball Club began five years ago, at a critical time for the club.
“SUNOTEC joined CSKA during a difficult period. Our partnership has played a decisive role in enabling the club to continue operating. Without SUNOTEC’s support, CSKA Volleyball Club might not exist today, so everyone at the club deeply values our partnership,” says Aleksandar Popov, President of CSKA Volleyball Club and Head Coach of the men’s team.
He adds that this support has united players and coaches around a shared goal: helping young people grow into responsible, motivated and well-rounded individuals.
According to Popov, the mutual trust behind the partnership is rooted in personal commitment, a passion for sport and professionalism.
“When we first met several years ago, I was deeply impressed by the humanity, passion and genuine dedication SUNOTEC showed towards both the club and the sport,” he says. “Combined with the knowledge and determination that have made the company a leader not only in Bulgaria but across Europe, SUNOTEC is also an example to us of how to become more successful.”
Murgash Football Academy
“Thanks to SUNOTEC’s support, more and more children are seeing their dreams become reality.”
Murgash Academy
Murgash Football Academy, based in Elin Pelin, is the largest youth football academy in the Sofia region. Its partnership with the SUNOTEC Foundation began in 2021.
“Over the years, we have built a lasting partnership based on trust and our shared commitment to creating more opportunities for children to develop through sport,” representatives of the club explain.
Today, more than 200 children train at Murgash Academy. Over ten of its age-group teams compete in Bulgarian Football Union leagues, while more than 50 young players have continued their development at the academies of some of Bulgaria’s largest football clubs.
“These results cannot be achieved through enthusiasm alone. They require consistency, a long-term vision and partners who share the same sense of responsibility for developing youth sport. This is exactly the kind of support SUNOTEC provides. Thanks to our partnership, we have been able to continuously improve training conditions, expand the opportunities available to the children and build upon the Academy’s work,” the club adds.
SUNOTEC Sofia Cup
“Together with SUNOTEC, we believe in creating a competitive yet positive environment where children can grow, build friendships and develop values that will serve them far beyond the football pitch.”
SUNOTEC Sofia Cup
The Sofia Cup youth football tournament has a history spanning more than ten years and is one of Bulgaria’s largest football competitions for young players. Its latest edition brought together 172 teams and more than 2,700 children.
The partnership with SUNOTEC began in 2025, when the company became the principal sponsor of the tournament’s 18th edition. Since then, the competition has carried the name SUNOTEC Sofia Cup.
“SUNOTEC’s support is extremely important to the development and future of the Sofia Cup. As the tournament grows, so do the organisational challenges. The difficult reality is that, without SUNOTEC as our principal partner, it would be extremely challenging to continue holding the competition on this scale,” the organisers explain.
They add that SUNOTEC is the first partner in the tournament’s history to provide such substantial and consistent support, helping them develop their vision through professionalism and mutual trust.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared understanding of the role sport can play in young people’s lives.
“We are united by the belief that sport is about much more than competition and results. It helps children become healthy, active and confident while teaching them discipline, respect, teamwork and responsibility,” the tournament team says.
“Together with SUNOTEC, we believe in creating a competitive yet positive environment where children can grow, build friendships and develop values that will serve them far beyond the football pitch.”
Ludogorie Marathon 2026 – Green Step
“In the SUNOTEC Foundation, we have found a partner that understands and supports our efforts.”
Green Step
Green Step was founded in Razgrad in 2014 with the mission of promoting adventure sports and outdoor activities. The club organises several sporting events, including the Easter Cross in Razgrad, the Kamchiya Sands beach half-marathon, the Ludogorie Marathon for runners and cyclists, and the cross-border Via Pontica Marathon.
The partnership between Green Step and the SUNOTEC Foundation began in early 2026 in connection with the 13th edition of the Ludogorie Marathon.
“Thanks to the SUNOTEC Foundation, we can develop our activities sustainably while improving the organisation and overall quality of our events,” representatives of Green Step explain.
“For both Green Step and the Foundation, outdoor sporting events are closely connected to the way we treat the environment. As organisers of events for amateur athletes, our core values include supporting an active lifestyle and encouraging people to spend time in nature, which also helps foster greater respect for its protection. In the SUNOTEC Foundation, we have found a partner that understands and supports our efforts,” the association adds.
Tepe Jamboree
“Together, we address all four pillars that unite us: sport and active living, sustainability and society, children as our future, and care for life.”
Tepe Jamboree
Tepe Jamboree is a sports and cultural marathon in Plovdiv, created by Nikola Chongarov, a former competitive skier from the city, and Florian Douillard, a Frenchman who has made Plovdiv his home.
The event brings together running, art and entertainment in an unconventional format. Its routes cross the city’s seven hills, with participants choosing between the 7 km Aylyak Jamboree and the 13 km Champion Jamboree. Along the way, runners encounter art installations, illuminated tunnels and live music points. The event attracts around 1,500 participants and is made possible with the help of approximately 150 volunteers.
For the second consecutive year, SUNOTEC is supporting the event as its principal partner.
“Organising an event of this kind for 1,500 people across around ten key locations requires considerable planning, logistics and resources. With SUNOTEC’s support as our principal partner, the Jamboree Collective is able to bring everything together and realise the bold ideas that surprise participants along the route,” representatives of the association explain.
An important part of the event is the Children’s Jamboree, which welcomes 250 children. The programme also includes participants with intellectual and physical disabilities, while senior citizens can take part free of charge.
“The Jamboree Collective and SUNOTEC share a common vision of community and of how we can work together to create a more sustainable and inclusive environment for everyone. Together, we address all four pillars that unite us: sport and active living, sustainability and society, children as our future, and care for life,” the organisers add.
Shumen Brewers American Football Club
“This support is vital to our club. The financial contribution we receive each year gives us the stability to focus on training.”
Shumen Brewers American Football Club
The partnership between the Shumen Brewers and the SUNOTEC Foundation has continued for more than three years. With this support, the club has been able to develop young athletes through its youth academy while maintaining one of Bulgaria’s few women’s American football teams.
“This support is vital to our club,” representatives of the Shumen Brewers explain. The funding also helps the club cover the fees required to participate in the Bulgarian championship.
Supporting young people and encouraging active, healthy habits are central to the partnership.
“Children come first. The Foundation sees its role as helping the club develop its youth academy. I believe we share the same fundamental goal: to give children access to sport and create the conditions for them to stay active and lead healthy lives,” the club adds.
Tarnovgrad Handball Club
“Together, we believe that hard work, perseverance and mutual support shape not only good athletes, but good people.”
Tarnovgrad Handball Club
Veliko Tarnovo is a city with a rich tradition in Bulgarian handball, and Tarnovgrad Handball Club is one of the organisations driving the sport forward in the region today. The club focuses on developing its girls’ youth teams, which compete successfully both in the regional Mizia league and internationally.
The partnership with the SUNOTEC Foundation began in 2024.
“Our partnership with SUNOTEC means a great deal to our club. Thanks to the Foundation’s support, our players have the opportunity to train, develop and represent the club with distinction in competitions,” representatives of Tarnovgrad explain. They add that they are grateful to have a partner that supports their goals and celebrates their achievements.
Discipline, teamwork and the development of young athletes are at the heart of the partnership.
“The values we share with SUNOTEC are the pursuit of excellence, responsibility, teamwork, discipline and perseverance. We believe success is achieved through hard work, mutual trust and support,” the club’s management says.
The club emphasises that, in both sport and business, people, mutual respect and the determination to keep developing matter most.
“Together, we believe that hard work, perseverance and mutual support shape not only good athletes, but good people.”
Radomir Municipality
“We greatly value partnerships defined not by promises, but by tangible results.”
Radomir Municipality
The partnership between Radomir Municipality and the SUNOTEC Foundation has continued for two years, encompassing the development of sport, improvements to the urban environment and support for local healthcare infrastructure.
“During this period, we have jointly implemented several important initiatives that have made a tangible difference in the lives of people across our municipality,” says Stanislava Genadieva, Deputy Mayor of Radomir.
One example is the construction of a modern pump track in Radomir, which quickly became a popular place for children and young people to exercise and enjoy an active lifestyle.
“The SUNOTEC Foundation and Radomir Municipality share the belief that regional development begins with investing in people. The children of Radomir deserve more opportunities to participate in sport, while high-quality healthcare requires modern facilities and up-to-date medical equipment,” Genadieva adds.
She emphasises the importance of partnerships that are measured not by promises, but by tangible results that create lasting value for local residents.
This article was adapted from a feature originally published by Kapital. The original Bulgarian-language article is available here
