DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION

APPLIED RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATIONS FUND

ARC FUND
ARC FUND

Publications

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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. 101180410), 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

New methodology for evaluation of the Operational Plan of the National Strategy for Development of Scientific Research

In the last months, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) and experts from ARC Fund have collected and analysed good European and international practices for monitoring and evaluation of public policies and programs. On the basis of a developed list of strategic, programme and other related documents at national, regional and sectoral level, indicators and metrics have been identified against which research policy assessments have been established. As a result of the good practices, a new methodology was developed to evaluate the implementation of the Operational...

April 6, 2023
3 min read

Ministry of Education and Science and ARC Fund update the Operational Plan of the National Strategy for Development of Scientific Research

Research and innovation have an essential role to play in creating and sustaining an inclusive, competitive and resilient Europe, by increasing the sustainability of manufacturing sectors, making the economy more competitive and increasing cooperation between science, government and business. As a result of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, Bulgaria is facing medium to long-term labour shortages, as well as a lack of necessary skills and competences among its human capital, caused by an ageing population and high level of emigration. The wide spreading demographic crisis is a key challenge...

February 14, 2023
2 min read

A survey to increase digital competence in the agricultural sector

The Bulgarian and European digital innovation hub for agriculture, AgroHub.bg (AgroDigiRise), whose partner is the Applied Research and Communications Fund, is conducting a survey to build its diverse portfolio for the development of the sector by providing access to technology solutions and a range of services to support digital transformation. Creating an enabling business environment requires consideration of needs and coordination between all stakeholders and actors – institutions, science, business and farmers. The initiative will provide free trainings and services to farmers...

February 3, 2023
2 min read

Urban agriculture – policies and good practices

Urban agriculture is a global and rapidly growing trend with great potential for green, social and technological innovation. This process is relatively new, unfamiliar and challenging for policy makers who need to rethink existing regulatory frameworks and policies on urban planning, land use, green spaces and infrastructure to develop a more integrated policy framework. CityZen is an INTERREG Europe Program project that promotes urban farming policies and their key role in better resource efficiency in cities. To this end, eight organisations from five EU regions have joined forces and...

December 21, 2022
1 min read