site.btaSofia Forum Discusses Functionally Sustainable Migration and Integration in Bulgaria

A national roundtable on a project titled Functionally Sustainable Migration and Integration in Bulgaria took place Thursday at the Grand Hotel Sofia. The event gathered representatives from national and local authorities, international organizations, NGOs, academia, employer associations, and business leaders to discuss sustainable labor migration and integration practices.

Organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development (CEED Bulgaria), the initiative is funded by the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. Launched in October 2024, the two-year project aims to promote the employment of third-country nationals in Bulgaria by facilitating connections between employers and job seekers.

A central focus of the project is the development of a web-based platform linking employers in Bulgaria with potential workers from Albania, Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Vietnam. The platform is already under development by a selected contractor and is expected to launch by the end of the year. An international outreach campaign is planned for 2026 in the target countries and major Bulgarian cities.

Gabriela Dimitrova, Director of International Cooperation at BCCI, noted that 78% of Bulgarian companies surveyed expressed a need for additional workers. Nearly 64% said they would hire employees from third countries, highlighting a persistent demand for labor across industries.

Nikolay Yarmov, Executive Director of CEED, stressed that labor market issues are not unique to Bulgaria. “The labor crisis is both regional and global. It requires flexibility, innovation, and coordinated efforts from businesses and institutions alike,” he said.

Iskren Angelov, Director of Labor Market Policies at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, cited data from the National Statistical Institute showing that over 30% of employers identify labor shortages as a key obstacle to economic activity. He emphasized the need for sustainable strategies to address the ongoing workforce deficit.

Economy and Industry Minister Petar Dilov, in a written address, described migration and integration as “increasingly critical topics” in the face of demographic shifts, labor market dynamics, and global mobility.

Tsvetan Simeonov, President of BCCI, concluded that addressing the labor shortage is essential if Bulgaria is to remain competitive in attracting foreign investment. “In today’s difficult economic climate, improving access to labor is one of the surest paths to growth,” he said.