Investments in knowledge and skills are the best investments, Emil Chankov, Communications Expert at the Regional Information Centre (RIC) in Razgrad, said during a local conference as part of BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project. The conference took place at the BTA National Press Club here on Friday.
He noted that during the programming periods 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, the necessary investments in the educational infrastructure were made in Razgrad Region, with schools and kindergartens in Razgrad Municipality and in other municipalities renovated so that the material and technical base can now meet the modern conditions for quality education and training. Chankov also pointed out that STEM classrooms have been equipped in almost all schools and projects under the Operational Programme Science and Education for Smart Growth have been implemented successfully. He stated that mobility projects under the Erasmus and Erasmus+ programmes were implemented in many vocational high schools and secondary schools in the region during the program periods.
"In our opinion, the most important result of the mobilities is the exchange of good practices in school and vocational education, the introduction of innovative pedagogical practices, and improving the qualifications of teachers. The participants got to know the methodologies, content, and ways of teaching in Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, and other leading countries. This also applies to the field of higher education," Chankov said.
He pointed out that the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme is a good opportunity through which young people can gain experience and apply it in Bulgaria under the mentorship of experienced managers from developed economies. Chankov emphasized that the Erasmus+ budget in the EU has been doubled for the period 2021-2027 and amounts to EUR 30 billion and that it should be used even more actively by Bulgarian candidates.
He also stressed that Bulgaria is not active enough in the implementation of projects under the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes, which stimulate high scientific and technological achievements in the EU, increase competitiveness and create quality jobs. He noted some of the steps in this direction, for example the Supercomputer at Sofia Tech Park and the procedure to support the introduction of technologies in the field of Industry 4.0, but emphasized that this is not enough.
“There are also few examples of technological cooperation with scientific units from the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain, Germany, France and third leading countries. For this reason, the Horizon Europe programme has expanded to include countries such as Canada, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and other prominent global centres. Leading goals should be accelerating innovation, a more flexible economy, creating products and services with high added value and not so high prices. The programme’s budget is an impressive EUR 100 billion,” Chankov pointed out.
He noted that recently there has been talk of forming a European budget of EUR 800 billion for the rearmament of the European Union. “If this happens, the funds should be directed to high-tech military production that will harness the scientific and technical potential of the continent,” he said.
Chankov said that the RIC in Razgrad is preparing the publication of a fifth consecutive brochure, which will describe good examples of ongoing and completed European projects. “In it, we primarily strive to show the most valuable and progressive initiatives supported by European programmes in the region,” he noted.
He emphasized that it is necessary to encourage private business initiatives which, in partnership with national, regional and local authorities, create conditions for economic growth and retention of young people in the regions. "Many regulatory changes are needed, allowing investments in modern production and services, digitalization, circular economy, use of artificial intelligence," Chankov concluded.
BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. Until September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
/MR/
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