Drop by Drop initiative supported by JTI wins first prize at the Responsible Business Awards 2025
The Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF) announced the winners of its 2025 Annual Responsible Business Awards at an official ceremony in Sofia. Recognised as one of Bulgaria’s leading distinctions in the field of corporate social responsibility, sustainability and diversity, the competition brought together 91 inspiring initiatives implemented by 60 companies from across the country and a wide range of sectors.
Among the winners was “Drop by Drop”, the joint programme of BCause Foundation and JTI Bulgaria, which received first prize in the “Investor in the Environment” category.
“Drop by Drop” is part of JTI’s global approach to supporting communities through practical initiatives with a long-term impact. As part of the JTI Global WASH programme, it is being implemented over a three-year period, from 2025 to 2027, and aims to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene for vulnerable communities. With a total budget of USD 1.5 million, the initiative in Bulgaria is developing along three main lines: the construction of public drinking fountains in Sofia and Blagoevgrad, support for two social organisations providing hygiene services to people in need, and a grant component for non-governmental organisations and municipalities, which is the programme’s leading element. Under this component, applicants submit projects which, following evaluation, receive funding for the implementation of water access solutions. The programme’s partners are the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Water Association.
During the first edition of the programme in 2025, 28 projects in 17 regions across the country received funding totalling more than EUR 250,000. The projects were implemented in населени места? translated: settlements/communities/localities where, according to official data, more than 250,000 people live. For the 2026 grant component, 82 project proposals were submitted by 72 applicant organisations. The approved projects will receive total funding of up to EUR 242,000.
“It is a true honour for us to receive this recognition for ‘Drop by Drop’ – a programme that is very important to JTI Bulgaria and especially close to the hearts of our team. We believe that responsible business means not only contributing to economic growth, but also showing care and support in addressing the challenges faced by local communities. This award is a valuable sign of the positive impact that can be achieved when business, the non-governmental sector, municipalities and volunteers join forces in response to real societal challenges,” said Andrey Palitko, General Manager of JTI Bulgaria.
The Annual Responsible Business Awards are a flagship initiative of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum (BBLF), recognising effective corporate investments in projects with a tangible social impact. Under the motto “Give a Good Example,” the competition is open to companies from all sectors and from across the country. In this way, it demonstrates the broad scope of business engagement with societal challenges in areas such as education, the environment, culture and support for vulnerable groups.
The winners were selected by an independent jury made up of established experts from the business community, the public sector, civil society organisations, academia and the media.
