During the formal ceremony for the 2024 Annual Insurance and Pension Awards, the winners of the 11th edition of the “Insurers for Society” competition were announced. With a strong focus on social responsibility, the Bulgarian insurance community honoured its professional holiday – Insurer’s Day, celebrated each year on 1 October.
The competition is organised by the Association of Bulgarian Insurers (ABZ), the Bulgarian Association of Insurance Brokers (BAZB) and the Association of Insurance Brokers in Bulgaria (AIBB). The winners are selected through a vote among member insurance companies and brokers from the participating associations.
The awards were presented by Velislava Delcheva, Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria. In her congratulatory remarks, Delcheva emphasised the importance of the “Insurers for Society” awards, noting: “As Ombudsman, I truly believe that when businesses put people at the centre of their values, they earn the most important thing – society’s trust and respect.” She added that these awards serve as a message to all companies to embrace and develop their social mission: “When businesses invest in society, the benefits come."
First place was awarded to The Human Safety Net – Expanding Early Childhood Development Services in Bulgaria, an initiative by Generali Insurance. The programme offers holistic support for early childhood development, reaching both children and parents in vulnerable communities. Through volunteering, donations and strong employee engagement, the Generali team is building a sustainable network of care and opportunity – changing lives and creating a better future for children in Bulgaria.
The award was accepted by Nikolay Stanchev, CEO of the company, who addressed the audience with the words: “At Generali Insurance, we clearly recognise our responsibility to society and we are committed to continuing our work in this direction. I am confident that together – with support from the public, private and non-profit sectors – we can drive lasting change and lay the foundation for a better future for Bulgaria’s children.”
Second place went to Groupama Bulgaria for its Lifesavers programme – offering free first aid training to students, teachers, clients and partners. In 2024/2025, the initiative focuses on schools, aiming to build a culture of awareness, response and responsibility from an early age.
Celine Bolar, CEO of Groupama, accepted the award and shared with the audience: “Solidarity and safety in a society begin with the individual responsibility of each of its members. That’s why Groupama continues to invest in turning more and more people into ‘Lifesavers’ – so there is always someone nearby who can provide vital first aid in the event of an accident. Over the years, we’ve trained nearly 7,000 people. We are especially proud that this year we focused on students – with their engagement and enthusiasm, thousands of young people once again showed that responsible, socially minded youth are growing up in Bulgaria.”
Third place was awarded to the donation initiative of SDI Group EAD, which supported the construction of a photovoltaic power station for the Recovery Centre for Children with Oncohematological Conditions in the village of Opitsvet. The project provides sustainable and environmentally friendly energy for the centre and its patients, supporting both the children and their families, and promoting better care in a supportive setting.
The award was received by Dr. Nikolay Zdravkov, Managing Director of SDI Group EAD, who commented: “For us, this award is recognition that business has the power to change lives. We believe that every child deserves hope and a better future, and we are proud to support the Recovery Centre in Opitsvet. This donation is our way of showing that insurance is not just a profession – it’s a mission to serve people and society.”
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