The Chance for Development project provided students with career opportunities in the cross-border region between Bulgaria and Romania, said Craiova University professor Mihaela Udristioiu during a cross-border conference as part of BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project. The conference took place at the BTA National Press Club here on Tuesday.
Udristioiu, who has Bulgarian roots, pointed out that there are many bridges between the two countries, as well as a common genetic heritage. She presented the Chance for Development project, which was implemented during the programming period 2017-2019 by Craiova University, Svishtov University and the Vidin branch of the Ruse University. The aim of the project was to increase the participation of students in the region and their professional development and employment. The project was worth EUR 650,000 and included 600 university students.
A Bulgarian-Romanian centre for personnel selection was created as part of the project, Udristioiu recalled. "We invited lecturers and entrepreneurs to meet with the students and present opportunities for their career development within this centre," she said, adding that organised workshops on how to write a CV, a letter of acceptance for a job and necessary skills for contact and presentation to employers.
As the most important activity of the project, Udristioiu highlighted the courses in certain specialties and areas. "We had courses focused on environmental protection, entrepreneurship, radiotherapy, public relations and communication, which were held in English, Bulgarian and Romanian," she emphasised. The students had the opportunity to visit Vidin and the various institutions there, as well as Svishtov, Calafat and the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.
Four job fairs were organized in both countries, at which employers provided opportunities for realization for young people and presented them job offers. Conferences were also held in the cross-border region, Udristioiu said.
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. The schedule of conferences until the end of September 2025 includes events 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.
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