On July 31, 2026, a Cooperation Agreement was officially concluded between the Regional Innovation Center “Ambitious Gabrovo”, in its capacity as coordinator of the European Digital Innovation Hub for the North-Central Region (EDIH for NCR), and the Executive Agency for Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (BSMEPA). The interaction is based on a shared vision to increase competitiveness and technological renewal of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region. The partnership combines the resources and capacity of two significant projects funded by the European Union and the national budget for the 2021–2027 programming period. On behalf of RIC “Ambitious Gabrovo”, activities are implemented under Contract No. BG16RFPR002-1.002-0001-C03 “Accelerated digitalization of SMEs in the North-Central region through the creation and development of a European digital innovation hub” under the “Research, Innovation and Digitalisation for Smart Transformation” Programme. On behalf of BSMEPA, support is provided through Project No. BG16RFPR001-1.009-0001 “Provision of integrated services to enterprises from the Northern regions of Bulgaria to support their sustainable development and growth” under the “Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises” Programme (“The North in Growth”).
The mutual interest in a partnership between the two institutions was established at the information event “Digital Future for Razgrad”, held on March 19, 2026, in the city of Razgrad, and on July 31, 2026, the parties formalized their relations with the signing of the agreement.
Subject of the Agreement
The agreement sets out the terms, principles, and specific forms of cooperation between EDIH for NCR and BSMEPA in implementing both projects, aiming to achieve maximum synergetic effect in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the North-Central Region.
Objectives of the Partnership
Both parties are united by the common goal of enhancing competitiveness and accelerating the digital transformation of SMEs in the North-Central Region. Among the main objectives of the cooperation are:
- Expanding the scope and effectiveness of services offered by both projects through coordinated and complementary actions.
- Providing comprehensive support for SMEs, covering the entire digital transformation cycle – from identifying needs and testing solutions to finding funding for their implementation.
- Increasing the number of SMEs from the North-Central Region that gain access to services in digitalization, innovation, and financial consulting.
- Optimizing public resources by avoiding duplication of activities and achieving greater impact at equal costs.
- Promoting the results and services of both projects to the business community in the region.
Main Principles of Cooperation
The partnership between the two institutions is based on three key principles: reciprocity and equality, where the parties cooperate on an equal basis; complementarity, ensuring that activities are aimed at mutual reinforcement rather than duplicating offered services; and transparency – timely and reliable exchange of information between the parties.
Forms of Cooperation
Mutual Referral of Information on Enterprises
During their visits to SMEs in the districts of Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Lovech, Razgrad, and Targovishte, the mobile teams of BSMEPA under project No. BG16RFPR001-1.009-0001 will identify enterprises with needs in digitalization and refer them to the services of EDIH for NCR. In turn, the consultants of EDIH for NCR will direct the enterprises they work with toward the financial instruments, programs, and mentoring services of BSMEPA.
Joint Information and Promotional Events
At joint events, EDIH for NCR will present its services in digital transformation, while BSMEPA will present current financial instruments and programs for SMEs, with the agenda and distribution of responsibilities being agreed upon in advance between the parties.
Access to the “Living Labs” of EDIH for NCR
EDIH for NCR will inform BSMEPA about the available capacity and schedule of its laboratories to expand enterprises’ access to testing and demonstration infrastructure.
Cross-Promotion
The parties will mutually provide up-to-date informational and promotional materials for inclusion in their respective communication channels, and in publications related to the results of the cooperation, the contributions of both parties will be acknowledged.
Information Exchange
BSMEPA will inform EDIH for NCR about relevant financial instruments and programs for which SMEs can apply after using hub services, while EDIH for NCR will share with BSMEPA the results of testing and training conducted with the referred enterprises.
Joint Participation in the InNet2026 International Conference
The first concrete event within the framework of the signed partnership was the joint participation of EDIH for NCR and BSMEPA in the International Conference on Innovation Networks InNet2026, organized by the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov on May 27, 2026. In the panel “How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Industry”, both institutions participated jointly in an “Innovation and Case Studies Workshop”, presenting practical examples of applying artificial intelligence to support digital transformation and sustainable development of SMEs in the North-Central Region to the academic and business communities. Joint participation in InNet2026 represents the first practical outcome of the signed agreement and clearly demonstrates the embedded principle of cross-promoting the activities and services of both projects.
Expected Business Impact
By combining the resources and expertise of both projects, enterprises in the North-Central Region are expected to gain easier and more structured access to comprehensive support – from digital maturity diagnostics and testing new technological solutions, to consulting and guidance toward appropriate financial instruments for their implementation. The agreement creates no financial obligations between the parties, with each party bearing the costs of executing its own commitments within the approved budgets of the respective projects.
This news item has been created with the financial support of the Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation Program 2021-2027, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund under project BG16RFPR002-1.002-0001 -C01 “Accelerated digitalization for SMEs in the Central Region through the creation and development of EDIH.” The Regional Innovation Center “Ambitious Gabrovo” bears full responsibility for the content of the document and under no circumstances can it be assumed that this document reflects the official position of the European Union and the managing authority.
