Hope Soap

E - RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY

E1a - Total annual income of GP 2011/12
NA. In 2012 the income from soaps' sales was 900 Euro

E1b - How is this made up?
NA.

E1c - Details of human resources
1 coordinator and 3 workers

E1d - Details of technology
Handmade soaps: a ready-made soap base is used; it is melted, flavorings, colorants, etc. are added and poured into various molds. After cooling soaps are packaged and ready for distribution into commerce. There are details connected with the provision of the required level of hygiene.

E1e - Details of financial investment for start-up/early stage
Initial investment by the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion (FSCI), including 300 BG leva initial investment for the purchase of materials.

E1f - Details of external support
The original idea was developed by a students' NGO based in the UK. After selecting the subject of activity two-day workshop was organized, including:
a) technological process of production of soaps;
b) first steps to develop a small business;
c) marketing of products.

E2 - If public funding were withdrawn, could the GP continue to exist?
At this stage the project does not earn enough own revenues, but there is a future potential for that.

Strengths, weaknesses, difficulties and lessons learned   
strengths
a market product that can potentially provide support and expansion is specified; highly vulnerable young people get the opportunity for income-generating activities
weaknesses & difficulties
to integrate the production into the existing markets; difficulties in identifying specific market niche and targeting the manufactured product thereof; limited sustainability and expansion;
lessons learned: initial organizational and financial resources are required; market actors (retail networks) accept with difficulties products with such background; relatively high management skills and a lot of efforts are necessary to get to the consumers; a preliminary marketing & a plan for marketing are essential.