Where digitalization meets investments – Bulgarian EDIHs joint event in Stara Zagora

Representatives from EDIH NCB participated in a meeting called “Where Digitalization Meets Investment” of the Bulgarian Digital Information Hubs, which was held in Stara Zagora on March 5, 2025. During the event our EDIH established contacts with representatives of the 12 Hubs operating in Bulgaria, shared experiences and ideas, discussed opportunities for joint events.  The opening panel was attended by the Executive Director of the Regional Economy growth Agency – Stara Zagora, Dr. Rumiana Grozeva, Prof. Dobri Yarkov, Rector of Trakia University, Sofia Alves, Director for Bulgaria of the European Commission and Metodi Markov, Regional Governor of Stara Zagora.

Director Alves welcomed the first meeting of the Bulgarian Innovation Hubs. She underlined their importance in the process of digitalization of small and medium enterprises, noting their commitment.
The second panel, dedicated to the most practical part, was attended by the representatives of the Bulgarian hubs funded by the Digital Europe Programme – EDIH Zagore, the Construction EDIH, the Cybersecurity EDIH and the Agro Hub. They shared the difficulties and how to overcome them in order to realise service delivery in their respective sectors.

Lora Yosifova from the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, shared as a representative of the managing authority, what is coming up and what expectations are placed on the hubs and through upcoming procedures by the ministry. Michaela Lafont from Digital Europe also joined in with updates on the EECs. She highlighted the AI challenges to be addressed with the newly created AI factories for the European Hubs network.

Especially for the event, EDIH Zagore also welcomed the members of its advisory board composed of three international experts – Felix Kislik, Pirita Ihamäki, Sinisha Djukic. They presented their advice giving a broad assessment based on their extensive international experience.