Next Step Buddy – Single Step’s Mentorship Programme

Василена Димитрова — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:16:00 +0000

Apply here

What bugs you?

An injustice you keep noticing.

A gap in your community you run into again and again, and again…

A problem people complain about all the time – but no one really does anything about.

Let’s be honest: you have two options.

You can keep complaining about what bugs you.

Or you can do something about it.

Next Step Buddy is for people who choose to do something – but do not yet know where to start.

This is a one-month programme for people with early-stage ideas for social innovation who need structure, practical tools, and support to turn a rough idea into a clear concept and an action plan.

We are looking for 8 ideas with real social value – ideas that are still taking shape, but already show strong potential.

Not polished. Not perfect. Just worth building.

At Next Step Buddy, you will learn how to:

turn a rough idea to structured, pitch-ready concept

understand the problem, audience, and value behind it

communicate your idea in a way that gains attention, trust, and support

prepare your project for its first steps in the real world

The programme includes one-to-one mentoring sessions with experts from HP Inc. and Single Step and culminates in an open-to-the-public Shark Tank event, during which participants will present their ideas to a jury.

Check out the full schedule below.

Programme Schedule

4th April (Sat) • 10:00 — 13:00 h

Opening + Growth Mindset

The mindset and psychology of success (workshop)

5th April (Sun) • 10:00 — 13:00 h

From Idea to Success

Tools to make it happen (workshop)

8th April (Wed) • 18:30 — 20:00 h

Turn AI into a Super Assistant

(workshop)

15th April (Wed) • 18:30 — 20:00 h

Mapping Your Path

Design Thinking and Theory of Change (workshop)

22nd April (Wed) • 18:30 — 20:00 h

Storytelling for Impact

(lecture)

4th — 10th May • TBD

Mentoring Meetings

Personal sessions with your assigned buddy

13th May (Wed) • 18:30 — 20:00 h

Shark Tank

Closing Event

Important Notice

Attendance is mandatory. A maximum of one missed session is permitted.

We reserve the right to change session dates depending on the availability of lecturers.

Тhree ideas will be supported and earn:

one grant of €1000

two grants of €500

Participants

If any of this sounds like you – you’re probably exactly who we’re looking for. You can apply as an individual or team of two. Our ideal participants:

Have a social problem they genuinely care about

Have little or no prior experience in activism, civil society, or community organising

Are willing to commit to all five sessions and the finale

Are based in Sofia (The organisers will not cover travel and accommodation expenses.)

Aged 18 – 36 yeard old.

Practical information

The program will run from April 3 to May 10, 2026.

All events will be held in person at The Steps – a space where safety, respect, and support come first.

The program will be conducted in both Bulgarian and English.

Application

You can apply to participate in the Next Step Buddy programme until March 29 by clicking the button below. Approved participants will receive a confirmation email by April 1.