DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION

APPLIED RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATIONS FUND

ARC FUND
ARC FUND

Publications

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Innovation.bg 2025

The Innovation.bg 2025 report presents an up-to-date assessment of the state of the innovation system in Bulgaria, emphasizing the need for technological renewal, digital transformation, and strategic adaptation to the changing global context. Despite some positive trends, such as widespread access to high-speed internet, growth in the ICT sector, and the use of digital services, Bulgaria remains among the “emerging innovators” and, for another year, has failed to move into the more advanced group of “moderate innovators” in the EU. The country ranks 26th in the...

December 1, 2025
2 min read

The Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy

With the adoption of the euro in 2026, Bulgaria faces a unique opportunity to make a qualitative leap in its global competitiveness. Building on a solid foundation of macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, and a dynamic technology sector, the country has the potential to fully capitalize on its membership in Europe’s economic elite. However, this progress is threatened by structural problems which, if left unresolved, could undermine its future growth. This analysis examines the advantages, opportunities, and challenges facing the Bulgarian economy through the lens of the four pillars of...

July 10, 2025
1 min read

Strengthening Europe’s Competitiveness in the World: ARC Fund Joins the Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance (GTIPA)

With over 30 years of leadership in fostering innovation, international cooperation, and knowledge transfer, the Applied Research and Communications Fund (ARC Fund) has been a key driver of Europe and Bulgaria’s transition to a knowledge-based economy. We are proud to announce our membership in the Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance (GTIPA), a global network of over 50 leading think tanks dedicated to advancing innovation-driven, open, and evidence-based economic policies. At a time of growing global trade tensions and economic uncertainty, GTIPA promotes cooperation, productivity...

July 7, 2025
1 min read

Open Call for SMEs and Innovators in Sustainable, Bio-Based, and Advanced Materials

The RTIT>> Knowhow Communities for Accelerating RTI Transfer in the Danube Region project supports innovation in the field of sustainable, bio-based, and advanced materials by connecting SMEs, research organizations, and stakeholders across the Danube Region through targeted knowledge transfer and demonstration activities. Are you an SME, entrepreneur, researcher, student, innovator, startup or professional interested in sustainable materials, bio-based solutions, or advanced technologies? Join us and become part of the RTIT>> Knowledge Community and gain access to: – Local...

June 30, 2025
1 min read

SYNCLUSIVE Initial Findings and Policy Implications

The first SYNCLUSIVE policy brief is intended for EU stakeholders, as well as those on a national and regional level, that are involved in the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the labour market. It introduces the project and its main objectives, presents the ENGINE approach and regional coalitions as innovative strategies to improve the recruitment, retention and career development of vulnerable groups in the labour market, updates the findings on the challenges faced by vulnerable groups, and shows how SYNCLUSIVE can align with and potentially improve existing policies. SYNCLUSIVE aims to...

February 11, 2025
2 min read

Innovation.bg 2024

The Innovation.bg report provides an annual assessment of the innovation potential of the Bulgarian economy and the state and development opportunities of the Bulgarian innovation system. It includes recommendations for improving public policy on innovation in Bulgaria and in the EU, drawing on the latest theoretical and empirical research and taking into account the specific economic, political, cultural and institutional framework in which the country’s innovation system develops. Twenty years ago, in 2004, before Bulgaria became a full member of the European Union, it was in the group of...

January 8, 2025
2 min read

Invitation for submission of CVs and offers from external experts

1. Background: ARC Fund aims to engage an external expert to develop Individual Demonstration Plans for each piloting location of high quality. These plans will facilitate the creation of transnational know-how communities focused on RTI transfer within three interdisciplinary sectors of material technologies (concerning RTIT>> project implementation, see annex 1). The expert will act under the guidance of transnational thematic group leaders. 2. Scope of Work: The external expert will be responsible for providing the following services: Act as a representative of ARC Fund in the...

January 6, 2025
3 min read

SustainX – Fostering Sustainable Digital Innovation Investment

SustainX – Fostering Sustainable Digital Innovation Investment Empowering European Regions for a Green and Digital Future The SustainX project (Grant Agreement No. 101184410), funded by the European Union under the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3), brings together leading innovation actors from across Europe with the shared ambition of accelerating regional transitions toward sustainability and digital competitiveness. The initiative focuses on strengthening the innovation ecosystems of less developed and transition regions by providing them with tailored tools, capacity...

January 3, 2025
7 min read

Innovation.bg 2023

The Innovation.bg report provides an annual assessment of the innovation potential of the Bulgarian economy and the state and development opportunities of the Bulgarian innovation system. It contains recommendations for improving public policy on innovation in Bulgaria and in the EU, drawing on the latest theoretical and empirical research and taking into account the specific economic, political, cultural and institutional framework in which the country’s innovation system develops. Bulgaria registered the most serious improvement of its innovation performance on a one-year basis within the...

December 18, 2023
1 min read

Digitization of small and medium enterprises

In a large-scale European survey, organized and conducted by experts of the Applied Research and Communication Found, regarding the level of digital maturity and the need for innovative training of manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises, the main challenges to the introduction of digital technologies were highlighted, among which are: Lack of clear and correctly identified priorities at the European level regarding the real needs of the business; Shortage of highly qualified workforce; Underestimated amount of investments in the construction of “smart” factories; Lack of...

August 10, 2023
1 min read