Erasmus Student Network Bulgaria

What Erasmus Student Network Bulgaria does

Erasmus Student Network Bulgaria (ESN Bulgaria) is a non-profit student association established in 2008 as the Bulgarian national chapter of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN International), the largest student association in Europe. The organization operates through 13 local university sections across Bulgaria (Sofia University, NBU, UNWE, UACEG, UCTM, UE-Varna, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Svishtov, AUBG Blagoevgrad, Burgas) and serves international exchange students studying under Erasmus+ and other mobility programmes. Its core products are the ESNcard (an international membership card providing access to 2,000+ discounts across 39 countries, used by 220,000+ students annually) and the Buddy Programme (pairing incoming exchange students with local volunteer mentors for airport pickup, registration, and social integration). The organization also delivers welcome weeks, cultural trips, language tandems, and training events, supported by a volunteer base that includes 34,000+ young people across the international ESN network.

The organization's revenue model is multi-stream and primarily non-commercial: institutional funding from the Erasmus+ programme channelled through the Bulgarian National Agency (Human Resource Development Centre), ESNcard sales distributed through local sections, and corporate partner contributions from brands such as Ryanair, Flatio, Coca-Cola HBC, Eurosender, and Top Rent A Car. ESN Bulgaria participates in international ESN projects including SocialErasmus (community volunteering), ExchangeAbility (mobility access for students with disabilities), Responsible Party (peer-to-peer alcohol awareness reaching 174,000+ students), and Eduk8 (non-formal education and soft skills training). The organization also runs the ESNsurvey research initiative (XV edition collected 22,000+ responses) and supports the Online Learning Agreement (OLA) 3.0 platform, a European Commission-backed digital tool for managing Erasmus+ Learning Agreements online with MyAcademicID authentication. Governance is provided by an 8-member National Board elected annually at the National Assembly, with day-to-day operations led by a President (Georgi Yotov) and Vice-President (Radostin Garelov) and a small staff of approximately 15.

Name

Erasmus Student Network Bulgaria

Legal name

Erasmus Student Network

Website

https://esnbg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ESN Bulgaria is a non-profit student organization, founded in 2008, that supports international exchange students through 13 local university sections across Bulgaria. It delivers buddy programs, welcome events, cultural activities, and the ESNcard membership platform serving over 220,000 students annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Exchange Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Inbound Exchange Hosting & Visiting Student Administration (EDAIABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Adjustment & Integration Services (intercultural programs, community connection) (EDALANAD), Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)

Keywords

• Student exchange services
• International student support
• Cultural integration programs
• Student mobility programs
• Volunteer mentor programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sofia

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Erasmus+ Program Funding: ESN operates mainly on a volunteer basis. Funding comes through the Erasmus+ programme support, with the Bulgarian National Agency (Human Resource Development Centre) providing support for training events and activities. The network receives institutional support from universities and partners.
2. ESNcard Sales: ESNcard is sold exclusively through local ESN sections, which are non-profit student organisations. Revenue supports network operations and discount programs.
3. Partner Contributions: Corporate partners provide financial, professional or tangible support in exchange for association with ESN's youth and mobility brand. Partners gain access to internationally mobile young audience through ESNcard discounts and brand association.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ESN Bulgaria is a non-profit student association that supports international exchange students in Bulgaria through a national network of 13 local university sections. Its core offerings include the ESNcard membership card (providing access to discounts, events, and community across 39 countries) and the Buddy Programme (pairing incoming Erasmus+ students with local volunteer mentors). The organization also delivers welcome weeks, cultural events, trips, integration activities, and educational projects such as SocialErasmus, ExchangeAbility, Responsible Party, and Eduk8.

Product overview

Erasmus Student Network Bulgaria is a student organisation operating a network of local university sections (ESN Sofia University, ESN New Bulgarian University, ESN UE-Varna, ESN Veliko Tarnovo, ESN UNWE, ESN UACEG, ESN RUSE, ESN UCTM, ESN AUBG, ESN Plovdiv, ESN Svishtov, ESN Burgas) that support exchange students. Its core products are the ESNcard (a membership card offering discounts across 39 countries) and the Buddy Programme (which pairs incoming Erasmus students with local volunteer mentors). The organisation also coordinates international ESN projects including SocialErasmus, ExchangeAbility & MapAbility, Responsible Party, and Eduk8, and conducts the flagship ESNsurvey research initiative. The Online Learning Agreement (OLA) 3.0 platform is referenced as a supported tool for Erasmus+ administrative workflows. The overall offering functions as a platform of services — including orientation events, cultural trips, language tandems, integration activities, and volunteer training — coordinated nationally through ESN Bulgaria's National Board.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ESNcard: Official membership card of ESN giving access to services, discounts, and events across Europe - used by over 220,000 people per year across 39 countries.
• SocialErasmus
• ExchangeAbility
• Responsible Party
• Eduk8

Products and services

• ESNcard The official membership card of ESN, giving exchange students and ESN volunteers access to discounts, events, and community across 39 countries. Over 220,000 cards are distributed yearly through ESN sections.
• Buddy Programme A mentor programme pairing incoming Erasmus students with local volunteers who help them settle in, navigate the city, and integrate socially during their exchange stay in Bulgaria.
• Online Learning Agreement (OLA) 3.0 A European Commission-supported digital platform for managing Erasmus+ Learning Agreements online, enabling students and HEIs to complete, sign, and track agreements digitally through MyAcademicID authentication via eduGAIN, eIDAS, or Google account.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000 international students receive ESN services annually across the network
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Coca-Cola HBCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Coca-Cola HBC partnered with ESN Bulgaria as a sponsor for the 54th National Assembly 'Natural Uplift' held at Sofia University. The partnership included a 'Design Thinking' workshop session led by guest speaker Maya Dacheva, helping participants envision personal and organisational goals. Coca-Cola HBC is a key stakeholder partner supporting ESN Bulgaria's flagship national event.
• International Relations Office of Sofia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Relations Office of Sofia University supported the 54th National Assembly and works closely with ESN Sofia University section. This institutional partnership is essential for coordinating exchange student support and university-level mobility programmes.
• InaEssentialsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInaEssentials partnered with ESN Bulgaria as a sponsor for the 54th National Assembly, contributing to the event's success.
• Bilka CosmeticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBilka Cosmetics partnered with ESN Bulgaria as a sponsor for the 54th National Assembly.
• NaturminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNatur partnered with ESN Bulgaria as a sponsor for the 54th National Assembly, helping showcase what it feels to be at home during the event.
• Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) - Bulgarian National AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Human Resource Development Centre, Bulgaria's National Agency for Erasmus+, provided major support for the National Boards Training in Burgas August 2022. The executive director and three experts participated in presenting new opportunities from Erasmus+ Support programmes (Euroguidance, TCA) and the VET programme. This is the governing body overseeing Erasmus+ implementation in Bulgaria.
• University Prof. d-r Asen Zlatarov BurgascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe hosts of the National Boards Training in Burgas, making the venue and sessions available for over 90 participants from National Boards across ESN countries. Essential local institutional partner for hosting international events.
• RyanaircoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRyanair provides flight discounts to ESNcard holders, offering budget travel options for international students across Europe. Part of the ESNcard international discount programme.
• FlatiocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFlatio accommodation platform partners with ESN to offer housing deals for international students. Part of the ESNcard discount ecosystem.
• EurosenderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLogistics services partner providing discounts for students relocating for exchanges through the ESNcard programme.
• Top Rent A CarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCar rental partner offering special rates for ESNcard holders in Bulgaria.
• Responsible PartycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner project promoting responsible alcohol consumption during student parties. Part of ESN International's health and well-being initiatives. Reached 174,000+ students across Europe through peer-to-peer awareness activities.
• Local Bulgarian Partners (20+ businesses)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal businesses offering ESNcard discounts including: Bla Bla Hostel, Board Game Cafe Abordage, Breezy Rooftop Bar, Dabov Specialty Coffee, Fitness Classic Varna, Juicy Burgers, The Loop Bar and Cafe, Night Club Goldens, American Saloon, Bar Rabbit Hole, 100 Grams of Sweets, 3 Key Rooms, Escape Room Varna, Climbing Hall Chudnite Skali, Surch Coffee, Sumatoha, Kotva Tattoo Shop, JHome Real Estate.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AIESEC: Global youth-led organization providing international exchange and leadership development opportunities for students and recent graduates. Operates a similar volunteer-driven network model across universities worldwide with comparable target demographic.
• ESN Germany: Another country-level ESN national organization within the same international network. Operates the same buddy programmes, ESNcard distribution, and university section structure in Germany, providing direct comparability on scale, funding, and engagement metrics.
• Youth for Understanding (YFU): International non-profit exchange organization offering student exchange programmes with country-based organizational structures. Serves a similar demographic of high school and university students seeking international mobility experiences.
• ESN International (Erasmus Student Network): The parent network organization overseeing ESN Bulgaria. ESN International operates across 39 countries with 800+ sections and is the direct counterpart and parent of ESN Bulgaria, sharing the same mission, governance model, and ESNcard platform.
• AFS Intercultural Programs: International youth exchange organization providing study abroad, volunteer, and intercultural learning programmes. Operates a similar network of country-level organizations supporting student mobility and cultural integration.
• IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience): International student exchange organization specializing in technical and professional internships. Operates a country-based national committee structure similar to ESN, serving university students with cross-border mobility programmes.

Broad incumbents

• Best Buddies International: Non-profit organization operating a volunteer-based buddy/mentor matching programme. While focused on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it shares the peer-mentor model that ESN Bulgaria uses to integrate international students.
• Erasmus+ Programme (European Commission): The EU's flagship education and mobility programme that funds and structures international student exchanges. ESN Bulgaria exists to support beneficiaries of this programme, making the European Commission the ultimate institutional sponsor and policy stakeholder.
• Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE): Major US-based international educational exchange organization operating study abroad programmes with on-the-ground support structures. Comparable in its role of facilitating and supporting student mobility experiences abroad.

Others

• Human Resource Development Centre (Bulgaria) - Erasmus+ National Agency: The Bulgarian National Agency responsible for managing the Erasmus+ programme nationally. ESN Bulgaria's primary institutional partner and funder, providing training event support and serving as the regulatory interface for programme implementation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/esnbulgaria
• Instagraminstagram.com/esn_bulgaria/?hl=bg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esnbulgaria

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Erasmus Student Network Bulgaria