The topic of Europe and education is very important, said Ruse Deputy Mayor Encho Enchev 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.
"For us it is extremely important that our joint commitments with Europe continue and that we work as actively as possible with the various European institutions", he emphasised.
He pointed out that the Erasmus+ programme, which is funded by the EC, gives many educational figures and students the opportunity to exchange experience and practice in other countries. "In this way, they introduce Europe to our traditions, and I believe that in education we have something to be proud of. In addition, they get to know some new practices that we could also adopt,” Enchev noted. He also drew attention to the role of European programmes in improving the material base of Bulgaria's educational institutions. He also gave several examples of the benefits of European funds in education, noting that a youth centre worth about BGN 4 million is to be built in Ruse.
Renovations will be carried out on three kindergartens and two high school dormitories in the municipality as well. "These are over BGN 20 million, which will go into renewing the material base of education in our city. This is unattainable for our budget without European funding. Inter-institutional partnership is also very important. On all these issues, we work together with the Regional Education Directorate," he said.
"I am glad that Bulgaria is in the European Union and that we also contribute to European values and can use European funds to provide better education to adolescents," Enchev 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.
