The Transatlantic Subnational Innovation Competitiveness Index 3.0 The Applied Research and Communication Fund co-authored the annual Transatlantic Subnational Innovation Competitiveness Index 3.0 report published by the Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance (GTIPA). The Report assesses 213 regions in Europe and the US across innovation indicators.  The assessment provides crucial insights for policymakers working to bolster national competitiveness and economic growth. The calculation of the Index uses 13 indicators across three categories: Knowledge Economy (33% weight), Globalization...

Despite the favorable macroeconomic picture, Bulgaria is among the fastest-aging and most rapidly depopulating countries in the EU. As Bulgaria received the green light to adopt the euro in January 2026, the country faces a rare opportunity: to move away from a low-cost competitiveness model and embrace innovation-driven growth. This, however, requires more than macroeconomic stability and calls for systemic reforms and bold, open governance. Bulgaria climbed one spot to 57th out of 69 economies in the 2025 edition of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, published by the International...

As the world navigates relentless geoeconomics shifts, the latest 2025 IMD World Competitiveness rankings reveal a worrying picture in Europe. The continent is home to the globe’s most competitive economies, yet this glittering success masks a deep and widening rift between a super-league of champions and the rest of the bloc. The Champions League and the Rest Europe continues to dominate the top tier of global competitiveness, with Switzerland and Denmark sitting at 1st and 4th place overall, respectively. They are joined in the top 10 by Sweden (8th) and the Netherlands (10th). Their...

On December 12, 2024, HARMONMISSIONS partners participated in an online Train-the-Trainers workshop hosted by ARC Fund. This workshop was designed to prepare project partners for their role in organizing trainings, workshops, and brokerage events focused on participation in the EU Missions under Horizon Europe. The workshop provided comprehensive guidance on key topics, including: The objectives and structure of Horizon Europe. Mission-driven research and innovation and the EU Missions framework. Implementation of EU Missions within Horizon Europe. Developing competitive proposals for Horizon...

From 19 to 20 November 2024 representatives of the RTIT>> consortium including experts from the ARC Fund participated in a meeting and training in Niksic, Montenegro. The event brought together experts from 12 partner organizations and one associate strategic partner. The aim was to discuss important topics in the field of new technology transfer and innovation policies, with a special emphasis on new materials, by creating a more favorable environment for scientific research. The program also included interactive joint seminars focusing on European innovation policies and good...

The HARMONMISSIONS project is gearing up to deliver a comprehensive capacity-building program designed to empower stakeholders in the Danube Region to participate effectively in the EU Missions under Horizon Europe. Developed by ARC Fund, this program aims to enhance regional capacity to design and implement impactful projects addressing Mission 1: Adaptation to Climate Change and Mission 4: 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. The program was officially presented during the HARMONMISSIONS Steering Committee meeting on October 24, 2024, in Kosice, Slovakia. Program Details The...

At a recent international working meeting held in Kosice, Slovakia, on October 23-24, 2024, stakeholders from across the Danube Region came together to share innovative practices for mitigating climate change. The event was part of the HARMONMISSIONS project, an initiative under the EU’s Interreg Danube program (2021–2027) focused on building capacity for climate action and fostering collaboration among countries in the region. The meeting showcased successful projects from Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine, addressing two...

Wind Labs: Just Development of Wind Energy in Northeastern Bulgaria Edition #3: Factors for Maximizing Local Added Value in Offshore Renewable Energy Infrastructure Planning in the Black Sea The Applied Research and Communications Fund (ARC Fund) is organizing the third edition of the Wind Ideas Lab, which took take place on September 4, 2024, at 4:00 PM in the Congress Center at the Port of Burgas. AGENDA This event aims to bring together stakeholders and experts to discuss and develop fair and effective management practices for the development of wind energy in Northeastern Bulgaria. The...

About the case studies Explore the regional case studies on just and effective wind energy governance across seven countries: The Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Germany, and Bulgaria. Dive into the nuances of energy justice and participatory practices, explore regional recommendations and inspiring solutions. To ensure the best possible results in our case studies, the project experts have conducted document review work, as well as interviews with wind industry stakeholders in the researched regions. The findings and insights collected were summarised in regional...