DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION

APPLIED RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATIONS FUND

ARC FUND
ARC FUND

Promoting constructive capital in Bulgaria

Bulgaria, the country with the lowest GDP per capita in the European Union (EU), faces a number of unresolved socio-economic challenges after three decades of democratic transition to a market economy. Through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience mechanisms, the country has an unprecedented opportunity to address a number of structural problems through the largest public financing instrument in its history. The Bulgarian government needs to provide the conditions for sustainable change and multiply EU financial resources by attracting additional private sector investment –...

September 20, 2021
2 min read

Innovation in the workplace

The report presents the results of a survey among small and medium-sized enterprises in Bulgaria on innovations introduced in the workplace, which are new management practices leading to a change in the model of...

August 13, 2021
1 min read

Innovation.bg 2020

The Innovation.bg report provides an annual assessment of the innovation potential of the Bulgarian economy in Europe and of the status and opportunities of the Bulgarian innovation system. It makes 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 within which the country’s innovation system is developing. The leading theme of Innovation.bg 2020 is the strategic framework of the European Commission for the...

December 20, 2020
1 min read

A new project is investigating the problem of non-submission of statistics on research activity of enterprises in Bulgaria

The Applied Research and Communications Fund has launched a six-month project that aims to explore attitudes and opportunities to address the problem of non-submission of data on research activity of enterprises to the National Statistical Institute in the framework of the Annual Financial Reports. The project foresees a conference and focus groups with representatives of the entrepreneurial environment, industry and business organisations, with the Ministry of Economy and the National Statistical Institute as well as the Ministry of Finance and the National Revenue Agency. The aim is to...

July 31, 2020
2 min read

Business, experts and institutions discussed ideas for the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation

Entrepreneurs, representatives of the Ministry of Economy and regional administrations, experts from the non-governmental sector, industry and business organisations, and university professors from the six planning regions in Bulgaria took part in focus groups on the preparation of a concept for smart specialisation in Bulgaria for 2021-2027. The focus groups on the topic “Smart Specialisation in Bulgaria – Opportunities and Challenges” are part of the project “Effective and Transparent Smart Specialisation Policy for Bulgaria 2021 – 2027“. It is funded by...

July 24, 2020
4 min read

Ventsislav Slavkov: Our goal is to create a new sanitary standard for disinfection in the conditions of COVID-19

Dr. Eng. Ventsislav Slavkov is the founder and manager of the Bulgarian-German company for specialized systems for industrial production automation “SPESIMA” Ltd. The company is the winner of the Innovative Enterprise of the Year 2018 contest in the Market Leadership category. SPESIMA has created a disinfection booth that can be used in the fight against COVID 19, as well as in industries with high hygiene requirements, in hospitals and in public places and institutions. “The aim of the booth was to create a new sanitation standard for disinfecting people and objects in the...

May 15, 2020
5 min read

The state is abdicating its function of supporting innovative businesses, warn experts from the Applied Research and Communications Fund

Daniela Chonkova, Head of the Innovation and Business Support Programme of the Applied Research and Communications Fund, National Coordinator of Enterprise Europe Network – Bulgaria, and Prof. Theodora Georgieva, senior expert at the programme, presented their point of view on the announced termination of the procedures “Stimulation of innovation implementation by existing enterprises” and “Establishment and development of Regional Innovation Centres (RIC)” under OP “Innovation and Competitiveness”. They warn that the withdrawal of public resources...

May 7, 2020
7 min read

International experts explore innovation and business models in urban farming in Bulgaria

Seven regional authorities, research institutes and a business support organisation from 5 European countries are coming together to explore local urban farming initiatives at home and in Europe, to exchange best practices and to propose measures and plans for the sustainable development of this activity. CityZen is an initiative of the Applied Research and Communications Fund and six other international partners, and is funded by the INTERREG EUROPE Interregional Cooperation Programme 2014-2020. CityZen aims to strike a balance between good agricultural traditions and new technologies so...

January 27, 2020
2 min read