site.btaPazardzhik Region is Good Example of Implemented Projects in Educational Institutions, Says Regional Governor

Pazardzhik Region is a good example of projects in educational institutions, said its Regional Governor Valentina Kaitazova local conference within BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project. The conference is taking place at the BTA National Press Club here on Friday.

"The mobility programmes that are being implemented are a good opportunity to improve the teaching skills of teachers by approving innovative methods and approaches," she noted, adding that many students in the Region apply for the Erasmus+ programme.

She also said that under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, STEM spaces should be built in all 110 schools in the Region by 2026 with European funds. "This is not just building educational infrastructure, this is implementing an entire project to improve the knowledge and skills of students in natural sciences and mathematics," Kaitazova emphasised. She pointed out that teachers will also be prepared for their use, and these investments will also improve students' skills for the European market.

The Regional Administration is currently implementing two European projects, she stated. One of them is aimed at creating appropriate conditions for the functioning of renewable energy communities, with 12 countries from the European Union participating in the implementation of the project and Pazardzhik Municipality being a partner. The second project aims to create a network of Mediterranean regions that have valuable landscape, cultural, agricultural and natural heritage. The partner is the Strelcha Municipality.

Kaitazova pointed out that cultural activities are also being developed in the remaining 11 municipalities in the district. “I am convinced that development without knowledge is impossible and in the context of the European Union’s cohesion policy, the institutions and the non-governmental sector in Pazardzhik Region have something to show, as they are very actively involved in the implementation of various European projects,” she said.

Through the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, BTA 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.