As a university, our mission extends far beyond the walls of our lecture halls. We strive to shape not just excellent professionals, but global citizens who care deeply about the community they inhabit. Varna is a city rich in history and maritime beauty, but its truest modern strength lies in its people, specifically, those who are pioneering new ways to look at business, sustainability, and human dignity.
To help you navigate, support, and learn from these inspiring initiatives, the university has created a curated digital guide to the city’s most socially conscious landmarks. Whether you are looking for a new study spot, a place to shop sustainably, or a chance to give back, Varna’s social ecosystem has a place for you.
Explore the interactive map below to discover local businesses, NGOs, and grassroots champions making a difference across Varna. Click on the pins to view their locations, operating hours, and how you can get involved.
Spaces of Dignity: Social Enterprises and Inclusion
Traditional job markets can often leave vulnerable populations behind, but several local organisations are proving that economic viability and human compassion can walk hand in hand. The Social Teahouse (Социалната чайна) on Preslav Street is a prime example, functioning as a vibrant café and event hub that provides vital first-time employment and mentorship to youth transitioning out of state institutions.
Similarly, right within our academic community, Bistro Academica works alongside the “Credo” Centre to offer a protected culinary and hospitality workplace for young people with multiple permanent disabilities. For those interested in early education and sustainable manufacturing, Things with Soul (Неща с душа) operates a beautiful model where individuals with special needs handcraft high-quality, eco-friendly wooden educational materials for children.
When you choose to study at the Teahouse or grab lunch at Academica, your spending does double duty: fuelling your day while funding dignified labour.
Circular Living and Conscious Consumption
Our daily consumer choices have a direct impact on the environment, and Varna is home to several initiatives making green living accessible. HUMANA operates several locations in the city, driving the circular fashion movement far beyond a typical thrift store. Through their RePair program, they collaborate with local artisans to mend clothing, keeping textiles out of landfills while their Sustainability Academy actively trains local eco-ambassadors.
In the food sector, Furisto Varna leads the way in eco-conscious catering by utilizing biodegradable, corn-based packaging and maintaining a circular framework where over 40% of their transport crates are returned by families for recycling. Even daily grocery shopping can be an act of social responsibility at spots like Balev Bio Market, which deliberately shorten supply chains by connecting regional organic farmers directly with urban consumers.
Grassroots Empathy and Corporate Citizenship
True social responsibility bridges individual empathy with large-scale corporate action, proving that everyone can contribute regardless of their scale. Locally, a barber named Bokserov reminds us of the power of individual trade; alongside his commercial work, he volunteers his time and skills to provide free haircuts to vulnerable and marginalised citizens, directly restoring their dignity and self-esteem.
On a broader scale, Varna is the proud birthplace of I Believe and I Help («Аз вярвам и помагам»), the massive plastic bottle cap and coin recycling drive that has united thousands of citizens to fund specialized children’s ambulances and vital neonatal equipment for regional hospitals.
In the private sector, Nechoveshki Magazini (Нечовешки магазини) sets a gold standard for corporate social responsibility by opening its retail stores as safe resting havens for rescue dogs and matching customer donations euro-for-euro, which has successfully funnelled over 50 tons of food and supplies to animal shelters across the country, including the Varna Municipal Dog Shelter in Kamenar.
How to Engage as a Student
We encourage you to use this map not just as a directory, but as an invitation. You can actively vote with your wallet by choosing to spend your free hours at community-focused hubs like Sumatoha Craft & Bar, which frequently hosts charity bazaars to support the rescue volunteers of Animal Hope Varna.
For those looking to expand their resumes and perspectives, world-class organizations like the Karin Dom Foundation and ENERGY NGO offer incredible volunteering pathways where you can assist with specialized events, language tutoring, or community logistics.
By integrating these spaces into your student life, you are choosing to participate in a living classroom, one that demonstrates how a city can grow wealthier not just economically, but socially and ethically.
This initiative is implemented with the financial support of the Municipality of Varna.
