A conference of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, implemented by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) with the support of the European Commission, took place on Tuesday in BTA's national press club in Plovdiv. Participants discussed the innovations in the cohesion policy in the European Union for the period 2021-2027 and the results achieved in the period 2014-2020. A special emphasis in the discussion was placed on skills as an engine for regional development in Bulgaria.
Both higher and primary education must be adequate to the practice and requirements of businesses, said Plovdiv Deputy Mayor Vladimir Temelkov. He pointed out that curricula should be practice-oriented in both schools and universities, and that this will start removing the doubts about the education system."It is completely reasonable to focus on higher education institutions, but we must note that it should start from primary schools and from kindergartens. The kindergarten is the place where this spark and hope for learning, for education, for logical thinking, knowledge and skills, is formed," Temelkov stressed.
Plovdiv is one of the most dynamic, rapidly developing areas with significant economic, social, educational and cultural potential, said Plovdiv Regional Governor Prof Hristina Yancheva. She pointed out that in recent years Plovdiv Region has attracted significant investments in new technologies and innovations. "It is important to me that education, scientific research, innovation and connections with business contribute to the economic development of the region as a whole, and at the same time are the basis for a stronger, better, sustainable society," she emphasized.
Lifelong learning is a necessity, said Petar Garov, head of the Department Verification - Southern in the Main Directorate for European Funds, International Programmes and Projects in the Labour and Social Policy Ministry. "The most important thing is to learn that we must learn. It is not enough to just complete an education and then find a job. The environment is constantly changing, the labor market is changing and we have to meet their demands," Garov said. He noted that the Human Resources Development Programme has the opportunity to finance many initiatives related to the training of employed and unemployed people, so that they have the opportunity to find a good job with a good income, adding that the Employment Agency provides vouchers that provide training and development opportunities.
Over BGN 400 million have been invested under the Regions in Growth programme for educational infrastructure in the South Central Region, said Petya Agusheva, head of the South Central Region Department in the General Directorate Strategic Planning and Programmes for Regional Development in the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry. 11 projects related to educational infrastructure have been implemented in the South Central Region, including for the repair and modernization of buildings and the supply of equipment and furnishing, Agusheva noted. The beneficiaries are the municipalities of Plovdiv, Haskovo, Pazardzhik, Smolyan, Kardzhali, Asenovgrad, Karlovo, Dimitrovgrad, Velingrad and Panagyurishte. The value of the utilized funds is over BGN 93 million. As a result of these projects, a total of 28 kindergartens and 34 schools underwent repairs and modernization.
The Plovdiv Agrarian University adapts its curricula and creates new specialties according to the new realities in the world, including increasing food consumption as a result of the growing population, climate changes, demographic problems and depopulating regions, said University Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Activities Prof Dimo Atanasov. "We are trying to preserve and develop our traditions and methods, the knowledge and experience gained over the years," Atanasov pointed out. He said that through its research projects, the university tries to direct young scientists to problems and areas relevant to society. He noted the fact that the Agrarian University has become a member of one of the major European university alliances, Unigreen, where it partners with seven other European universities from Spain, Iceland, France, Italy, Portugal, Poland and Belgium.
The Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project is a continuation of the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The main objective of the project will be to provide objective and comprehensive information and an accurate overall picture of the European Union's cohesion policy in all Bulgarian regions. Special emphasis will be placed on skills and knowledge as an engine for regional development.
As part of the project, in the period from November 2024 to September 2025, BTA will organize discussions in its regional press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardjali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik , Pernik, Petrich, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen and Yambol. BTA will also hold cross-border conferences in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje and Thessaloniki.
