This paper is purposeful towards assessing the significance, state and
development of the third sector in Bulgaria. Its first part deals with the
theoretical background and specific characteristics of the sector that distinguish
and define it as a successful way whereby social problems are addressed and
appropriate solutions are proposed. Economic crisis in Bulgaria and its social
impact are traced in the second part of the paper, while in the third part is
focused on how the third sector organizations in Bulgaria contribute to
overcoming crucial societal problems emerging in the recent years. Cooperative
development and its importance are presented as traditional and effective
strategy when dealing with the abovementioned social instability. Drawing on
the information and the analysis provided, conclusions and recommendations
are prepared in the last part; as well as possible directions in terms of
expanding its role for the social economy will be proposed. The set of data
sources that are employed includes statistical and other reported data for the
NGOs and systemized analysis and results regarding their development in
Bulgaria.