Project: „Greek Bulgarian Business Partnership by Assistance, Services, Solutions to Promote Open Regions Team” with acronym „GR-BG BUSINESS PASSPORT“, Subsidy contract № B6.3a.07/13.04.2021
Managing Authority: Managing Authority of the Objective “European Territorial Cooperation” Operational Programmes of the Ministry of Development and Investments, acting as the Managing Authority of the Cooperation Programme “Interreg V –A Greece-Bulgaria” 2014-2020
Funding programme: Cooperation Programme “Interreg V –A Greece-Bulgaria” 2014-2020
A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE COOPERATION PROGRAMME “GREECE-BULGARIA 2014-2020”
Lead Beneficiary: Management and Administration Authority Technopolis Thessalonikis SA
Address: VEPE TECHNOPOLIS, BUILDING C2, THESSALONIKI, 55535, GREECE
Phone number: +302310365120 / Fax: +302310365121
E-mail: m.chavouzis@gmail.com / Website: www.technopolis.gr
Contact Person: Michalis CHAVOUZIS
Partners:
– Project Beneficiary 2: Regional Municipalities Association “Maritza”
Address: Business Incubator, 6310 Klokotnitsa, Haskovo Municipality, BULGARIA
Phone number: +359 38665021 / Fax: +359 38664869
E-mail: maritza@maritza.info / Website: http://www.maritza.info
Contact Person: Rayna YOVCHEVA
– Project Beneficiary 3: Computer Science Department, School of Sciences, ELKE International Hellenic University
Research account of International University of Greece
Address: 14thkm of THESSALONIKI/MOUDANIA road, THERMI THESSALONIKI, 57001, GREECE
Phone number: +302310474564 / Fax: +302310474569
E-mail: rc@ihu.edu.gr; ee@teiemt.gr / Website: rc.ihu.gr
Contact Person: Vassilis KABURLASOS
– Project Beneficiary 4: INSTITUTE OF ROBOTICS-BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Address: Acad. G. Bonchev Street, Bl.2, PC 79
Phone number: +35928703361 / Fax: +35924053061
E-mail: office@ir.bas.bg / Website: www.ir.bas.bg
Contact Person: Snezhanka Kostova
Period of implementation: 13/04/2021 – 12/11/2023
Overall objective
The aim of the proposed intervention is to create an integrated support framework for SMEs in the cross-border area, focusing on specific categories of enterprises (e.g. small and very family enterprises, Start-up companies) and important sectors according to the RIS3 strategies (e.g. Agri-food, Tourism, Social Enterprises), but also ideas from potential young people who want to enter the business environment.
Specific objectives:
- the interface of research and innovation with economic growth in new ways, such as business discovery;
- the development and creation of innovative products with features that will make them more competitive in international markets, will give even greater impetus to the selected business sectors and to the cross-border area in general;
- the creation and operation of specialized support structures for existing businesses and creation of new ones with a focus on cutting-edge technologies;
- the development of a new cross-border entrepreneurship model that will based on start-ups businesses, capable to attract venture capitals and investments contributing to the growth of the economy as a whole;
- the formation of a cross-border business network that will be linked to international networks in the field of innovation and cutting-edge technologies;
- the improvement of extroversion and competitiveness of products and services both in the domestic and overseas markets;
- the creation of direct and indirect new jobs.
Activities:
Work package 1: Project Management & Coordination
Work package 2: Communication & Dissemination
Work package 3: Robotics Lab
Work package 4: Supporting Innovative Business Ideas
Work package 5: Exhibitions
Main results
- the improvement of the business environment in the cross-border area;
- the development of networks;
- the creation of an integrated ecosystem for SMEs;
- the enhancement of support processes and development of the SMEs;
- the introduction of innovation as a priority and the linking of academic knowledge and research with the business world;
- the promotion of innovations which lead to investments through the assistance provided to start-ups;
- the establishment and activation of businesses with innovative organizational structures, such as the creation of business opportunities through a network of self-managed businesses;
- the business creation by groups that do not have access to finance or specialized management.
Expected results
Work package 1:
- organization of 1 Partners’ meeting in Haskovo
- participation in Partrners’ meetings
- tender procedures development
- preparation of progress reports
- FLC
Work package 2:
- production of branded materials
- design and print of brochures, posters
- publication of 20 e Advertsement
- organization of a closing conference
- design and production of materials for the closing conference
- Media publications for promotion of the project and its results.
Work package 3:
- development of Haskovo Business Passport
- translation of Haskovo Business Passport in English and Greek
- design and print of Haskovo Business Passport
- development of an interactive Business map in Bulgarian, Greek and English with 5 indicators to compare the municipalities in the region
- survey on: European funding for business in Haskovo region – implemented projects, opportunities, challenges and recommendations
Work package 4:
- logistics of demonstration of the opportunities of the Robotics Lab established by PB4
- organization of the 4 BG GR Business meetings and participation in B2B meetings that are organized by PB3
- development and distribution of Business e Bulletin
- Business incubator service delivery
- office equipment
- cross-border exchange of experience and good practices through mobility of business communities from Bulgaria and Greece in Haskovo region and in Thessaloniki region
Work package 5:
- participation in one Exhibition outside the CB area.
Project progress
April, 2021 – started development of tender procedures for the project
September, 2021 – performed FLC of Project Beneficiary 2 for the period 13.04.2021-10.09.2021
November, 2021 – gathering of necessary statistical information for the purposes of the GR-BG BUSINESS PASSPORT project and upcoming activities
December, 2021 – performed FLC of Project Beneficiary 2 for the period 01.09.2021-30.11.2021
March, 2022 – performed FLC of Project Beneficiary 2 for the period 01.12.2021-28.02.2022
April, 2022 – elaborated “Deliverable 3.2.2 Survey on: European funding for business in Haskovo region – implemented projects, opportunities, challenges and recommendations”
May, 2022 – performed FLC of Project Beneficiary 2 for the period 01.03.2022-30.04.2022
July, 2022 – performed FLC of Project Beneficiary 2 for the periodа 01.05.2022-30.06.2022
September, 2022 – Fifth edition of the e-newsletter “Development and opportunities for business in the Haskovo region” under a project with the acronym “GR-BG BUSINESS PASSPORT
November, 2022 – performed FLC of Project Beneficiary 2 for the period 01.07.2022-30.09.2022
December, 2022 – 1st Technical meeting within project with acronym „GR-BG BUSINESS PASSPORT”, 02.12.2022
January, 2023 – performed FLC of Project Beneficiary 2 for the period 01.10.2022-30.11.2022
March, 2023 – Haskovo Region Business Passport (Business Passport of Dimitrovgrad Municipality; Business Passport of Ivaylovgrad Municipality; Business Passport of Lyubimets Municipality; Business Passport of Madzarovo Municipality; Business Passport of Mineralni bani Municipality; Business Passport of Svilengrad Municipality; Business Passport of Simeonovgrad Municipality; Business Passport of Stambolovo Municipality; Business Passport of Topolovgrad Municipality; Business Passport of Harmanli Municipality; Business Passport of Haskovo Municipality)
March, 2023 – performed FLC of Project Beneficiary 2 for the period 01.12.2022-14.02.2023
April, 2023 – Investigation on the state and needs of business in Haskovo region after COVID-19 restrictions
July, 2023 – Update of the information on: Haskovo Region Business Passport (Business Passport of Dimitrovgrad Municipality; Business Passport of Ivaylovgrad Municipality; Business Passport of Lyubimets Municipality; Business Passport of Madzarovo Municipality; Business Passport of Mineralni bani Municipality; Business Passport of Svilengrad Municipality; Business Passport of Simeonovgrad Municipality; Business Passport of Stambolovo Municipality; Business Passport of Topolovgrad Municipality; Business Passport of Harmanli Municipality; Business Passport of Haskovo Municipality)
September, 2023 – Organized and held 3 events in Haskovo under the project: 1) Cross-border exchange of experience and good practices; 2) Closing Conference; 3) Partnership meeting
September, 2023 – 20th edition of the e-newsletter “Development and opportunities for business in the Haskovo region” under a project with the acronym “GR-BG BUSINESS PASSPORT
