Project: “Plan of Smart Regional Specialization for the promotion of competitiveness, research and innovation”
Acronym: Smart Specialization
Final events on Smart Specialization project
23/10/2015
Haskovo
The implementation of the activities under the project Smart Specialization completed by the end of October 2015. In connection with the presentation and reporting of completed activities series of events, involving representatives of the Bulgarian and Greek partners were organized.
The 4th Smart Specialization Workshop organized by URENIO was held on October 19, 2015 in Thessaloniki, within which the following topics were discussed:
– Regional strategies for smart specialization in Greece and innovation strategy for smart specialization of the Republic of Bulgaria 2014-2020,
– RIS3 approaches and transfer of best practices in terms of innovation in SMEs.
The RIS seminar for signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation organized by Region of Central Macedonia was held On October 20, 2015 in Thessaloniki. The event was attended by project partners, officials from the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace, the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece, Greek International Business Association and others.
The following topics were discussed:
– Discussions on “smart specialization”
– RIS 3 & Regional Development – challenges and perspectives in the Central Macedoniya, Greece
– RIS3 Eastern Macedonia – planning and implementation
– Objectives and measures in the innovation strategy for smart specialization of Bulgaria 2014-2020
– Presentation of the Memorandum of cooperation on the project “Smart Specialization”
– Signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation.
During the Final conference on the project (20.10.2015) organized by the Region of Central Macedonia in Thessaloniki the following issues were presented and discussed:
– The impact of smart specialization and territorial cooperation in the field of smart specialization
– Presentation of the project – the results of its implementation
– Indexes and a platform for monitoring RIS3 strategies
– Activities related to smart specialization in Haskovo (Presentation of the project and activities implemented by partner 7 – Regional Municipalities Association “Maritza”)
– Presentations of all partners, their input and results.
During the 4th technical meeting (21/10/2015) organized by the Ministry of the Interior & Administrative Reconstruction (ex. Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace) in Drama the following topics were discussed:
– Remaining actions to be implemented by the end of the project
– Technical issues related to the reporting of costs incurred in the project;
– Opportunities for cooperation between the project partners in the period 2014-2020 in relation to the upgrade of the results of the project.
Memorandum of cooperation between SMEs, public authorities and NGOs
28/09/2015
Haskovo
Memorandum of cooperation between SMEs, public authorities and NGOs from Haskovo region was signed at the end of September 2015 between 27 representatives of business, local authorities and the civil sector in the region. The parties declare their commitment to unite their efforts for joint cooperation in the field of innovation and modernization of businesses in Haskovo. Cooperation aims to establish joint efforts towards building a favorable business environment, stimulate innovation activity among SMEs, public and civil sector, increasing the competitiveness of local businesses, overcoming economic backwardness and the creation of conditions for transition to economy based on knowledge.
The signing of the memorandum is part of the implementation of the project “Smart Specialization”, funded by ETCP “Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013” and in particular activity RIS 3 Forum – urban development.
The complete text of the document can be found here.
RMA “Maritza” in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Drama, Greece organized cross border exchange of experience and good practices through mobility of business communities from Bulgaria and Greece in Haskovo region
15/09/2015
Haskovo
On 14.09.2015, cross border exchange of experience and good practices was implemented in Haskovo in connection with the implementation of the project “Smart Specialization”, funded by ETCP “Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013”, where representatives of eight companies from the region of Drama and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce in Drama met with representatives of companies from the region of Haskovo.
The participants in the exchange from Greece expressed their interest in cross border exchange of experience and good practices and establishing business contacts with Bulgarian companies in the following sectors: apparel industry, production and trade of kitchen and toilet paper and raw material for wholesale and retail, furniture and wood articles, wholesale with glass panels, distribution of seeds for cereals, construction and real estate, production of dried nuts and distribution of confectionery products for distribution in Bulgaria. As a result of the implemented joint meeting in the office of RMA “Maritza” in the Business incubator, Klokotnitsa and of the individual meetings of the representatives of the Greek companies with the Bulgarian companies the following was discussed: new business partnerships, sectoral issues and cross-border cooperation in order to achieve added value through application of innovation approaches in production, management and marketing processes and others.
Specialized Horizontal Consulting in Competitiveness issues and practices on exports, design management and processes and smart production methodologies for established businesses in Bulgaria
31.08.2015
Haskovo
In the period October 2014 – August 2015 within the project Smart Specialization and according to the selection procedure for a contractor Regional Municipalities Association “Maritza” assigned to “D and D Consulting” Ltd. the implementation of ” Specialized Horizontal Consulting in Competitiveness issues and practices on exports, design management and processes and smart production methodologies for established businesses in Bulgaria ” for companies from Haskovo region. They performed the following activities:
Activity 1: Prepared list of companies from Haskovo region within RIS3 priority sectors;
Activity 2: Identification of the criteria for grouping of businesses and identification of the specific services needed for businesses in the region of Haskovo. The need for services was in the following thematic areas:
• Marketing presentation of enterprises / businesses;
• Market research for the realization of services / products
• Human Resources Management
• Strategic planning of activities
• Of high priority for farmers is the realization of projects in the field of agriculture and livestock, incl. and for investment in the sector
• Funding opportunities
Activity 3: Dissemination of information to companies with opportunities for consulting feedback from those who declare interest to participate indicating the potential services they need
Activity 4: Recruitment of the necessary consultants and experts to provide services
Activity 5: Grouping the selected companies in a group, a new or existing cluster and development of business plan with the services for the group
Activity 6: Implementation of the business plan of services by providing at least one package of consulting services identified in the implementation of Activity 2. Provided consultancies are:
– Organized training regarding the functioning of the cluster grouping, its legal regime, the rules for its corporate governance, legal and marketing aspects of the joint provision or obtaining of shared services, funding opportunities, and mode of innovation and innovative solutions (06.03.2015, Haskovo)
– Developed structure of a business plan
– Developed pilot business plan request by agricultural producer Tonyu Petrov Zheliazkov
– Guidelines for conducting market studies in reference to “Rivov Electronics” Ltd.
– Recommendations for strategic development in reference to “Jason” Ltd. and “Zlatno Runo” Ltd., Haskovo
– Recommendations for strategic development in reference to “Lucy-2000” Ltd. and “Nelly-DG” Ltd., Dimitrovgrad
– Report on the study of manufacturers of rubber lining for limestone mills KRUPP POLYSIUS, size 3000 x 5750, condensate abatement systems, dehydration of gypsum lining for limestone mills 3400 x 7200 – FAM, rubber metal products – at the request of ZKI Volta Ltd., Dimitrovgrad
– Report on the possibilities to support farmers in the region of Haskovo
– Guidance for Contemporary Human Resource Management
– Analysis: “Opportunities for supporting innovation in businesses – Challenges and Perspectives”
– Analytics to track changes in legislation concerning the work of SMEs
Letter of thanks
30/07/2015
Haskovo
On July 30th, 2015 RMA “Maritza” received a letter of thanks from “Delena DD” Ltd.,. Haskovo in relation to the positive results from joint cooperation in two projects of the Association – Smart Specialization and BG – GR PASSPORT, funded by ETCP “Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013”.
Ten companies and two agricultural producers from Haskovo region visited Drama and Kavala in Greece for the exchange of experiences and good practices
13/07/2015
Haskovo
In the period of 8 – 10 July 2015 Bulgarian companies and farmers from Haskovo region participated in the “Cross-border exchange of experience and good practices through mobility of business communities” under the project “Plan for regional smart specialization for promoting competitiveness, research and innovation” with the acronym:” Smart Specialization”, funded under the European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece – Bulgaria 2007-2013. As a partner of the Bulgarian side RMA “Maritza” provided the necessary logistics and organization of the initiative, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in Drama, Greece.
Within the exchange 23 participants from Bulgaria held a working meeting with the Chamber of Commerce in Drama and implemented individual working visits to eight enterprises in the region of Drama and Kavala, as follows:
| Company from Bulgaria | Company from Greece |
|---|---|
| „Mlechna promishlenost Haskovo“ EOOD | MENOIKIO |
| „Delena DD“ EOOD | MAS FASHION |
| „Mega Engineering“ Ltd. | TOKMAKIDIS & Co Partners |
| „Neochim“ SA | CHR. MIRDERES Ike |
| „Euro fert“ SA | CHR. MIRDERES Ike |
| „Vodno stroitelstvo Haskovo“ SA | Zisis Pimendis – building contractor, general secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Drama |
| Aniko EOOD | Zisis Pimendis – building contractor, general secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Drama |
| „Rivov Electronics“ Ltd. | Elve S.A. |
| “ZKI Volta“ Ltd. | Retire S.A. |
| Travel Agency Torre | „Travel Code“ |
| Alexander Petrov | Sonidis Green House Drama |
| Dimitar Sakarski | Sonidis Green House Drama |
During the working visits opportunities were sought to define the intended results of private entrepreneurs in the direction of:
– Opportunities for joint production and joint marketing of the service;
– Opportunities for joint purchase of raw materials and other products;
– Opportunities for joint training in management and common training of employees;
– Opportunities for technology transfer and innovation among members.
To the attention of all entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the region of Haskovo
05/06/2015
Haskovo
In relation to the implementation of the project “Regional Plan for smart specialization for promoting competitiveness, research and innovation” with the acronym: “Smart Specialization”, funded under the European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece – Bulgaria 2007-2013, RMA “Maritza organize cross-border exchanges of experience and good practices through mobility of business communities.
The objective of the activity consists in implementation of an exchange of best practices between business representatives in the border region Bulgaria – Greece with similar or the same business activity, through contacting and carrying out “exchange on the spot” with Greek representatives of companies within the border region. Also during the working visit opportunities will be sought to define the intended result of private entrepreneurs in the direction of co-production, joint purchase of raw materials and other products, joint lobbying efforts, sharing of experiences between members in business and bureaucracy, mutual funding and others.
The exchange will take place in Drama and Kavala within 3 days (8-10.07.2015) and the participants will be provided transport, accommodation, food, training materials and translation from Greek.
For this purpose, we invite all stakeholders from Haskovo to declare their willingness to participate in cross-border exchange. On the below mentioned contact details you can get more information on how to request your participation:
“D and D Consulting” Ltd.
1000 Sofia
1, Racho Dimchev Str., ent. A, 2nd floor, ap. 9
Contact telephone: 02 988 1319
fax: 02 981 57 53 e-mail: dobromirabankova@gmail.com
EVALUATION OF NSRF 2007-2013 FOR BULGARIA AND PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR BULGARIA 2014-2020 REGARDING POLICY RELATED AND LEADING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, COMPETITIVENESS, INNOVATION AND SMART SPECIALIZATION
In the period October 2014 – March 2015 within the project Smart Specialization and in accordance with the implemented public procurement Regional Municipalities Association “Maritza” assigned to Company under the Obligations and Contracts Law Consortium BIFTA the development of „Evaluation of NSRF 2007-2013 for Bulgaria and Partnership agreement for Bulgaria 2014-2020 regarding policy related and leading to entrepreneurship, competitiveness, innovation and smart specialization“. The evaluation presents:
– Analyses of the current reports for evaluation of the Operational programmes in Bulgaria in the period 2007-2013, connected with the purposes of RIS3;
– Measures and priorities of OP that indicate adds to RIS3 strategies and can be repeated and developed. Best practices and lessons learned;
– Analysis of the regional context – study of regional positioning in the EU. Analysis of projects included in OP for Bulgaria 2007-2013. Monitoring and evaluation of projects for SCR;
– OP management, definition of the vision, selection of priorities, policies on innovation for 2007 – 2013.
– Analysis of the Partnership agreement for 2014-2020
– Preliminary assessment of RIS3 – based on the RIS3 strategy for SCR;
– Instruments and funding opportunities for implementation of innovation policy
– Opportunities to materialize future projects in SCR by sectors
You can download the complete document here
ANALYSIS OF THE PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES OF CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION PROGRAMMES REGARDING “SMART SPECIALIZATION” AND OUTLINE OF COOPERATION PROPOSALS AMONG REGIONS OF BULGARIA AND GREECE
In the period October – December 2014 within the project Smart Specialization and in accordance with the implemented public procurement Regional Municipalities Association “Maritza” assigned to Company under the Obligations and Contracts Law Consortium BIFTA the development of „Analysis of the priorities and objectives of Cross-border cooperation programmes regarding “Smart specialization” and outline of cooperation proposals among regions of Bulgaria and Greece“. The analysis has the following objectives:
– Identify thematic and sectoral priorities (problems/needs) for Haskovo region in connection with the innovation policy of the European Union for “smart specialization”;
– Analyze existing programs for Cross-border cooperation (CBC) 2007-2013, concerning Haskovo in connection with EU innovation policy of “smart specialization”;
– Identify proposals for cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria, which are implemented in Haskovo and correlate innovation policy of “smart specialization”(RIS3);
– Indicate possible funding sources for identified proposals.
You can download the complete document here
Regional Seminar for the business community in Haskovo region
On December 17, 2014 in the town of Haskovo a seminar for businesses in the region with the main thematic focus “Smart Specialization” was held. The initiative is part of RMA “Maritza” project “SMART SPECIALIZATION”, financed under the European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013, subsidy contract № B3.32.02 / 31.12.2013.
The training was attended by more than 20 representative of small and medium business in Haskovo region. The main topics discussed in the framework of the initiative were:
– Presentation of the strategy for smart specialization
– Presentation of the methodology for project development, defined as a project of smart specialization
– Presentation of the cluster formations, as one means for the realization of projects for smart specialization
– Analysis of the local economy, and in particular, identifying the needs of the business community, respectively opportunities for joint business initiatives.
In view of the information initially received from local businesses and local community, a topic related to human resource management with a focus on projects for smart specialization was also included in the seminar agenda.
In result of the discussions held representatives of the business community attended the seminar, outlined several ways in which they could be seeking the benefits of collective entrepreneurial efforts in the development of projects for smart specialization:
1. Transfer of knowledge, best practices and the establishment of closer links between business and industry.
2. Cooperation between the public and private sectors, including by establishing clear regulations for implementing public private partnerships and expertise in developing the creation of regulations to implement the Law on public-private partnerships, namely the regulations to be adopted and applied locally. Study of the practice of performing PPP in neighboring regions.
3. Provision of joint consulting support for the process of innovation, considering procedure for registration and protection of industrial property rights – brands, patents on inventions and utility models, industrial designs; intellectual property and possibly seeking a competitive advantage for registration of geographical indication or designation of origin.
4. Marketing presentation. Marketing presentation of a product that can be characterized by specificity imparted by region of origin.
5. Provision or use of a common service, which can reduce the cost occurring when separate use or the provision of the service without distort of normal market competition. Thus, it was discussed the possibility of establishing a common system for waste recovery. Searching capabilities and identifying details with respect to:
– Joint production;
– Joint service provision;
– Joint purchase of raw materials and other products;
– Joint training management;
– Joint training of workers;
– Joint lobbying efforts;
– Sharing of experiences between members in business and bureaucracy;
– Co-financing;
– Technology transfer and innovation among members;
– Joint procurement of equipment for production;
– Joint procurement of additional services (transport, advertising, etc.);
– Joint marketing and branding;
– Joint participation in fairs and exhibitions;
– Joint purchase of ICT solutions to improve the quality of the production process and the final product;
– Joint competition with global leaders;
– Joint research;
– Joint storage;
– Jointly attract foreign direct investment.
6. Opportunities for joint employment initiatives in the application of good practices in human resources management.
 This project is implemented by EU |
 This project is performed by RMA “Maritza” |
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“This document was created within the project “Plan of Smart Regional Specialization for the promotion of competitiveness, research and innovation” / Smart Specialization, funded by the European Territorial cooperation Programme Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013, grant contract № B3.32.02/31.12.2013 , co-financed by the European Union through the European regional Development Fund and national funds of Greece and Bulgaria. The sole responsibility for the content of the document lies with the RMA “Maritza” and under no circumstances can be considered that this document reflects the official opinion of the European Union and the Contracting Authority”
