Bulgaria 
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Area: 110996 km2 |
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Population: 6447710 |
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GDP at current prices (M EUR): 85800.7 |
| GDP per capita at current prices (EUR): 20700 | |
| % of National GDP: No information available. | |
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% of Unemployment: 0.043 |
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Regional GERD (%): 0.77% |
The oversight of science, technology, and innovation in Bulgaria is primarily divided between two key ministries: the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. The Ministry of Education and Science is responsible for regulating the national education system; formulating and implementing science and research policies; and managing the involvement of national consortia in pan-European research infrastructure. On the other hand, the newly created Ministry of Innovation and Growth is in charge of steering technological development and innovation, playing a pivotal role in shaping the state’s innovation policy and defining the national smart specialisation strategy. In 2021, the new Ministry of Innovation and Growth was established in Bulgaria. This ministry's mandate was to pool resources in the field of Policy Objective (PO) 1, namely: a Smarter Europe, through innovation, digitization, economic transformation, and support to small and medium-sized businesses. In addition, they strive to foster a competitive economy that supports regional growth and development. Its mission involves promoting and driving innovation, as well as securing investments across all sectors of the country's economy, with the aim of contributing to the overall prosperity and advancement of Bulgaria. The Directorate European Funds for Competitiveness within the Ministry is also managing the two ERDF funded PO 1 Programmes in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria has a national innovation strategy for smart specialisation, which is prepared by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth is adopted and updated, if necessary, by the Council of Ministers. The latest version was adopted on 16 December 2022. Since 2015, a new Smart Growth Council was established as an advisory body to the Council of Ministers, defining the guidelines for the development of S3 thematic areas, the S3 vision, strategic objectives, as well as the coordinating and monitoring practices. In the period of 2021-2027, the Smart Growth Council will continue its functions as an updated version of the previous strategy, with planned changes to increase its effectiveness. A key instrument for promoting synergies across funds will be the newly established Innovation Council, where the institutional coordination of public policy in the field of research and innovation will be carried out. The Council will be a permanent advisory body to the Ministers of Education and Science and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, co-chaired by the two Ministers. Its members will be leading experts in different scientific fields from home and abroad, nominated by scientific organizations, innovators, and business leaders. The creation of the Innovation Council is part of the reforms undertaken by the country in the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience plan.
For information on regional S3s, please return to the homepage: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/assets/s3-observatory/index_en.html
| Name of strategy | Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation |
| Type of strategy | National |
| Languages | BG |
| Strategy approved | Yes |
| Name | Position | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| No information available. | Ministry of Innovation and Growth | docs@mig.government.bg |
Support the development of the concept for transformative industry-led cooperation projects
The Targeted Assignment for Bulgaria, in collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, focuses on fostering long-term cooperation among industry, SMEs, research organizations, higher education institutions, NGOs, and local authorities to enhance the regional economy and innovation ecosystem. A key objective is to implement industrial cooperation projects that promote innovation and knowledge transfer within European value chains aligned with the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) priorities.
The initiative will proceed in two stages, beginning with potential applicants developing concept notes. To successfully launch and manage these projects, the Managing Authority requires assistance in crafting the rationale and structure for the concept notes, as well as in establishing evaluation criteria for project selection. The assignment includes desk research to review relevant policy documents and literature on Bulgaria's national innovation challenges, along with meetings with key stakeholders. The final deliverable includes a summary of stakeholder feedback, a detailed description of the concept note and evaluation criteria for advancing to the second phase, detailed evaluation criteria for full proposals, and proposed Monitoring and Evaluation, and Reporting Indicators.
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Aerospace & Defence ➝ | |
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Agri-food ➝ | |
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Construction ➝ | |
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Creative & Cultural Industries ➝ | |
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Digital ➝ | |
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Electronics ➝ | |
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Energy/Renewable Energy ➝ | |
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Energy Intensive Industries ➝ |
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Healthcare ➝ | |
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Mobility, Transport & Automotive ➝ | |
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Proximity Economy ➝ | |
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Retail ➝ | |
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Social Economy ➝ | |
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Textiles ➝ | |
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Tourism ➝ |
These keywords, identified using AI and manually verified, highlight the key elements of each strategic priority as reflected in individual strategies.
These keywords, identified and associated through semantic AI algorithms and manually reviewed, support the search function by identifying topics related to each strategic priority. While a priority may not explicitly focus on these keywords, they provide meaningful connections. For exxample, agricultural terms might relate to circular economy priorities, such as biofuels or agricultural waste valorisation. Semantically associated keywords enable users to find regions with similar or related priorities, offering a starting point for deeper exploration of each specific strategy.
| Priority | Descriptive keywords | Semantic keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Informatics and ICT ( Information and Communication Technologies) | Data analysis, network systems, software development, cybersecurity, cloud computing | digital transformation, computing and data management, cloud computing, data centre, data science, data visualization, connectivity and networks, iot device, data and technology solutions, blockchain technology, automation and digital transformation, industrial automation, electronics, miniaturisation equipment, sensor technology |
| Methatronics and Microelectronics | Automation, sensors, integrated circuits, robotics, precision engineering, semiconductor, control systems | advanced manufacturing and materials, advanced materials, optics and photonic, digital transformation, digital technology and hardware, chip, microchip, microcircuit, semiconductor, silicon chip, electronics, production of electronics, embedded electronic system, mechatronics, miniaturisation equipment, integrated circuit, optoelectronic component |
| Healthy Life Industry, Bioeconomy and Biotechnology | Healthcare technologies, healthcare services, healthcare products, proactive health prevention | health, health research and innovation, medical innovation |
| New technologies in creative and recreational industries | Augmented reality, digital art, gaming technology, entertainment ai | cultural & creative industries, visualisation and virtual reality, gaming, content creation, digital transformation, digital creation and design, 3d modeling printing scanning, user interface design, visual effects (vfx), augmented reality |
| Clean Technologies, Circular and Low Carbon Economy | Circular economy, sustainable water management | circular economy, circular design, circular economy transition, circular industry model, renewable energy, hydrogen, energy efficiency and smart energy, energy efficiency technology, low-carbon and emission reduction technologies, low-carbon economy |
| Economic classification (NACE section & division) | Scientific classification (NABS digit 1 & 2) | |
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| Informatics and ICT ( Information and Communication Technologies) |
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| Methatronics and Microelectronics |
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| Healthy Life Industry, Bioeconomy and Biotechnology |
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| New technologies in creative and recreational industries |
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| Clean Technologies, Circular and Low Carbon Economy |
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| Document type | Link |
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| Webpage | Kohesio: Region/Member State |
| Webpage | Link to ERDF programmes database |
No information available.
No information available.
No information available.
Industrial Modernisation
Energy
Agri-Food