Innovation and business
ARC Fund coordinates, through its subsidiary ARC Consulting, the Enterprise Europe Network for Bulgaria. The Network supports SMEs to improve their positions on the international market. EEN-Bulgaria further advises businesses, research and industry organizations on the Framework Programs of the EU, including the European Innovation Council, facilitates the establishment of international partnerships, enhances the SMEs’ capacity to manage their innovative processes, to transform digital or sustainable, and introduce resilient business models.
The target group of EEN-Bulgaria includes SMEs with high potential for growth or development of innovation. The services are open to enterprises from all sectors of economic activity. The portfolio of services includes access to finance, partner search, sustainability consulting, digital transformation, introduction of sustainable business models.
The Applied Research and Communications Fund facilitates public, multi-actor deliberative processes on societal challenges stemming from research and innovation. Responsible research and innovation are closely linked to sustainable development and thus represent a horizontal topic in the research studies conducted by ARC Fund.
Focal areas of our research are energy transition, energy citizenship and renewable energy, access of vulnerable societal groups to the labor market, public engagement in policy design, technology assessment of the impact of new technology on society, economy and environment, as well as workplace innovations and public-sector innovations.
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
On 17 March 2023, meetings of the Innovation Expert Council and the Innovation Business Club of the Applied Research and Communications Fund will be held. These meetings are an independent but complementary part of the Innovation in Agribusiness event programme, a joint initiative of the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, the Applied Research and Communications Fund, CleanTech Bulgaria, and the Professional Association of Robotics and Automation (PARA). The activities of the Expert Council and the Business Club are an integral part of the preparation of the annual...
February 13, 2023
3 min read
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 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
Experts, students and volunteers from civic initiatives have developed DIY kits for vertical mini urban gardens under the CityZen urban farming initiative of the Applied Research and Communications Fund, Sofia Development Association and Sofia Green Program. The guide provides an opportunity for anyone with the tools at hand to create a calming space with a visual connection to nature in their home or office. The benefits of urban farming are numerous and go far beyond aestheticizing the surroundings. Gardens contribute to better air quality, reduce noise, save resources and shorten the path...
December 19, 2022
1 min read
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. The 2022 report Innovation.bg notes that in 2022, the EU will have the highest innovation performance in...
December 9, 2022
1 min read
The "Excellence in Innovation" label of the Applied Research and Communications Fund is awarded annually to the winning enterprises in the National Innovative Enterprise of the Year Contest. The label recognises excellence, impact and effectiveness of cutting-edge innovations developed by Bulgarian enterprises.
December 7, 2022
11 min read
The Eighteenth edition of the National Innovation Forum "Innovations in Support of Digital and Green Transition" and the Award Ceremony of the National Contest "Innovative Enterprise of the Year", 2022 was held on 7 December 2022.
December 7, 2022
6 min read
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. As in its previous editions, Innovation.bg 2021 analyses the state and opportunities for development of the...
December 20, 2021
1 min read
The national competition “Innovative Enterprise of the Year” is organized by the Applied Research and Communications Fund, ARC Consulting, Enterprise Europe Network – Bulgaria, with the support of the Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs of the European Commission, and Sofia Tech Park. It is also in media partnership with the “Innovative” programme of BNT 2, Bulgarian National Radio – Radio Sofia, Economics magazine, Digitalk, Kaldata. bg, “Bulgarian Science” Magazine, Uspelite.bg, Innovation.bg, the...
December 8, 2021
10 min read
