INNOGROW project Information day
Stara Zagora (Bulgaria)
The event took place on the 3rd of May (Wednesday) in Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. The event was attended by 33 local stakeholders, including representatives from the university, faculty students, the regional business. The information day topic was dedicated the INNGROW project and innovation in SMEs rural areas. The agenda included the presentation of two funding options for innovative business ideas. Representatives from the Ministry of Economy to present the funding for innovative business ideas – the “Technostart” project and the presentation of the Climate Launchpad contest for “green” business ideas were part of the event. The decision to invite Ministry of Economy the Climate Launchpad was taken by the SZREDA team because the topic of the information day and the audience of the event were relevant to the project topic.
A welcome speech given by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of Trakia University Prof. Dimitar Panayotov opened the agenda, followed by a presentation about the INNOGROW project: the issues it addresses and the opportunities that SMEs in rural areas have by adopting innovation. A discussion about good case studies of Bulgarian SMEs in rural areas that have adopted innovation and the good results of the practices followed the first presentation. The second presentation was given by the experts from the Ministry of Economy about the project “Technostart” which funds innovative business ideas from the national budget of Bulgaria. The third presentation was about the Climate Launchpad contest, which promotes and finances business ideas that help to preserve the environment or solve problems related to the protection of the environment.
These also been followed by discussion part and the speakers were available for comments and questions. The main problems pointed out by the audience was the large amount of administrative requirements in the participation in some supporting programmes like “Technostart” which is about startups. The SZREDA team answered all the questions that were asked during the information day. The experts from the Ministry of Economy ensured their support regarding further questions and issues regarding the project and the project activities.
