On 18 May 2026, the Applied Research and Communications Fund organised an on-site training for Bulgarian small and medium-sized enterprises selected through the open call for interested companies under the SustainX project. The training focused on open innovation, collaboration models, and the transfer of knowledge, innovation and technology as practical tools for strengthening SME competitiveness and innovation capacity.
The session formed part of the national capacity-building activities implemented under SustainX, aiming to support companies in developing their innovation potential, preparing for interregional cooperation, and engaging in future European initiatives, value chains and matchmaking activities.
The training combined the SustainX training framework and materials developed with the support of IMP³ROVE with practical approaches for knowledge, innovation and technology transfer. This allowed participants to explore both the conceptual foundations of open innovation and hands-on methods for structuring ideas, identifying collaboration opportunities, and developing innovation-oriented solutions.
The session was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Daniela Ventsislavova Georgieva, Senior Analyst at the Applied Research and Communications Fund and Associate Professor at the Economic Research Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. She presented practical tools and approaches for strengthening interaction between businesses, research organisations and innovation intermediaries, with a focus on the role of collaboration in the creation, transfer and implementation of innovation.
A special focus of the training was placed on the LEGO® Serious Play® method as an interactive tool for the transfer of innovation, knowledge and technology. Through this approach, participants were encouraged to visualise ideas, build shared understanding around complex challenges, and explore practical solutions related to partnerships, new products, services and business models.
As part of the session, participants were also introduced to tools for knowledge, innovation and technology transfer developed under the RTIT project, funded by the Interreg Danube Region Programme. These tools can support SMEs in identifying innovation needs, finding relevant partners, structuring cooperation processes, and preparing for future innovation initiatives.
The training created space for active exchange among the participating companies and for discussion of real business challenges related to innovation management, knowledge transfer and partnership building. Participants explored how open innovation can be applied in different business contexts and how collaboration with external partners can accelerate the development of new solutions.
This activity is part of the broader SustainX support package for Bulgarian SMEs, aimed at strengthening their innovation capacity, improving their readiness for interregional cooperation, and supporting their integration into European innovation ecosystems. The next steps under the project will include additional trainings, peer-learning sessions, matchmaking activities and the development of joint concepts around priority interregional value chains.
