SOFIA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION was founded as non-profit organization with the decision 348
of the Sofia Municipal Council to work for the sustainable development of the capital.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE 50+: SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE DIGITAL SKILLS COURSE
On February 24, 2025, the Digital Skills course, part of the "Career Opportunities for People 50+" initiative under the Synclusive project, successfully concluded, marking a significant step in equipping employed and unemployed people with the tools needed to thrive in the modern workforce. Over three weeks, more than 30 participants, both online and in-person, gained valuable knowledge in high-demand areas such as:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cloud Computing
- Cybersecurity
The course content was created following discussions with employers regarding the skills in demand in the labor market and is tailored to the needs of the learners.
As part of the Sofia Development Association’s ongoing efforts to facilitate labor market access and mobility, participants had the unique opportunity to engage with an HR expert and meet potential employers.
Certificates for successfully completing the program were presented by Ekaterina Yordanova, Chairperson of the Sofia Development Association’s Board and a Sofia Municipal Councilor, which reflects the commitment of the Council.
Participants shared their thoughts on the course, reflecting on its impact:
"The topics covered were extremely relevant, highly practical, and important to my career. I feel confident in applying everything I learned to my current work."
"The course was incredibly beneficial—both the materials and the organization were top-notch. The instructor was patient, thorough, and attentive. I truly believe the skills I’ve gained will help me find employment and advance my career."
The completion of this course is just one of many steps in the initiative’s broader goal of supporting the 50+ workforce. With an emphasis on lifelong learning, the program not only boosts the employability of participants but also equips them with skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
Looking ahead: The next course in the series will focus on developing personal skills and workplace competencies! Details HERE!
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094526
THE "DIGITAL SKILLS" COURSE FOR PEOPLE 50+ HAS BEEN LAUNCHED BY THE SYNCLUSIVE PROJECT
On January 24, 2025, SofiaLab hosted the first session of the Digital Skills Course, part of the Career Opportunities for People 50+ initiative under the Synclusive project. The session was focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and marks the beginning of a three-session series designed to equip participants with essential digital skills.
What did participants learn?
Led by expert Plamen Petrov, the first session introduced participants to the world of AI and learned the basics of working with artificial intelligence, how AI can make everyday life and professional tasks easier, and the applications and opportunities for career development through digital technologies.
Why Is This Training Important?
As technology evolves, digital skills are becoming increasingly essential for professional growth and labor market adaptation. Through initiatives like this, the SINCLUSIVE project supports people over 50 in acquiring new competencies and expanding their career opportunities.
Organizers and Partners
The training sessions are organized by the Sofia Development Association in partnership with ARC Fund and Young Talents 50+ as part of the SINCLUSIVE project. The project is funded under the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program.
Този проект се финансира от програмата за научни изследвания и иновации Хоризонт Европа на Европейския съюз съгласно споразумение за безвъзмездна помощ № 101094526
THE FIRST COURSE OF THE "CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE 50+" PROGRAMS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED
On November 22, 2024, the first training course of the "Career Opportunities for People 50+" program, which was dedicated to personal skills and competencies, was successfully completed. The course ended with an award ceremony in SofiaLab, during which participants received their course certificates by Ekaterina Yordanova, Municipal Councilor at the Sofia Municipal Council and Chairperson of the Governing Board of Sofia Development Association (SDA).
The program is organized by SDA in partnership with the Young Talents Bulgaria platform and offers solutions to improve the employment of people over the age of 50. Created within the framework of the Syncusive project, the initiative includes a series of trainings on digital and green skills, personal skills and competencies, and provides career and psychological counseling to job seekers and people who aim to change their professional path. In 2025, the program will offer training to 100 people over 50 years of age to support their professional development.
The program is free of charge and is open to people on the territory of Sofia Municipality. The next course will be focused on digital skills, which will begin with face-to-face sessions from January 24, 2025, until February 7 (a total of 30 hours). Interested participants can register on the website of Sofia Development Association. For additional questions, please contact the SDA team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Bulgarian partners in the Synclusive project are SDA and the Applied Research and Communications Fund.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094526
THE PROGRAM "CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE 50+" STARTS WITH A COURSE ON PERSONAL SKILLS
On November 8, 2024 Sofia Development Association launched the training program "Career Opportunities for People 50+" developed within the SYNCLUSIVE project.
The program is designed for people over 50 years of age who are looking for new career opportunities and ways to improve their qualifications and competitiveness in the labor market. Snezhina Gabova from SDA and Maya Tsaneva from Young Talents+, SDA’s partner in the initiative, presented the SYNCLUSIVE project and the program objectives. The first program course, Personal Skills and Motivation, aims to help participants learn how to deal with major challenges in the labor market related to personal effectiveness, sustainability, change management, leadership and teamwork.
The instructor, Julia Simeonova, introduced participants to various techniques for personal and professional development, focusing on several key topics:
- Developing a personal portfolio. The participants analyzed their strengths and weaknesses and formulated personal goals with guidelines for future development.
- Effective interviewing techniques for both online and in-person job interviews.
- Time management and work-life balance. Through tools such as the Eisenhower Matrix, the Pomodoro Method, and the Pareto Principle, participants learned to optimize their time and achieve a better work-life balance.
On-site and online training sessions are planned for the next two weeks, during which participants will engage in more activities to improve their skills in a professional environment.
The program "Career Opportunities for People 50+"continues with a digital skills course, starting on November 19. If you are over 50 years old and want to improve your skills for working in a digital environment, visit the website of Sofia Development Association and sign up for the course.
The SYNCLUSIVE project is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094526
NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE AGED 50+ IN THE JOB MARKET
The initiative to facilitate easier access to the job market is implemented by the Sofia Development Association and the Young Talents Bulgaria platform.
On October 25, 2024, the opening event of the new initiative "Career Opportunities for People 50+" by the Sofia Development Association and Young Talents Bulgaria took place at SofiaLab. The initiative aims to provide people in this age group with access to targeted skill acquisition training, as well as career and psychological counseling.
At the opening event, key speakers outlined the development plan for the initiative. Ekaterina Yordanova, Chair of the Sofia Development Association Board, emphasized the importance of supporting pre-retirement age individuals, stating that "there needs to be a link between institutions, people, and employers to fully utilize the potential of this group. Two key steps are necessary to achieve these goals—education and targeted thematic training."
Following this, Snezhina Gabova from the Sofia Development Association and Georgi Parvanov from Young Talents Bulgaria presented the main goals and phases of the "Career Opportunities for People 50+" initiative. “The world is changing, and so is Bulgaria. Fifty is the new thirty. Our goal is to make age irrelevant in the job market by 2030,” Parvanov shared.
Over the course of one year, the training program will support at least 50 people through courses focused on digital and green skills, personal development, and professional support.
Smilen Valov, Executive Director of the Employment Agency, noted that the agency offers numerous tools to support the employment of people aged 50+. "People over 50 are the future of the labor market. This group has discipline and experience, making them highly desirable to employers," he said.
During the business collaboration panel, Plamen Vasilev, Director of Human Resources at Holcim Bulgaria, reinforced the importance of including older employees in the modern workforce. He added that this group has tremendous potential, as people over 50 are disciplined, goal-oriented, and loyal to their employers.
Those interested in the program can learn more on the Synclusive Project website: [https://synclusiveproject.eu/?p=4222](https://synclusiveproject.eu/?p=4222).
The campaign is part of the broader framework of the Synclusive project, which aims to promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the labor market. The project is funded by the Horizon Europe research and innovation program of the European Union.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094526
JOINING FORCES TO EMPOWER SENIORS: LOCAL COALITION MEETING
In a world that is becoming increasingly digital and dynamic, it is critical that we ensure that all members of our society have access to opportunities for growth and development. We are pleased to announce that we have expanded our local coalition, which aims to promote employment, lifelong learning, and career development for people aged 55+.
On 27.08.2024 Sofia Development Association (SDA) and YoungTalents came together to sign a memorandum marking the beginning of an important collaboration. Given the demographic context of an aging population both domestically and globally, our goal is to create a supportive community of stakeholders working together to promote sustainable, transparent and socially responsible management and business practices. Svetlana Lomeva, Director of SDA, and Georgi Parvanov, Director of YoungTalents, signed a memorandum marking the beginning of this significant initiative.
Through various trainings, programs and events, our local coalition is working to overcome stereotypes and barriers to employment and career advancement for older adults. We believe that by promoting diversity and inclusion, we can create stronger and more innovative communities where everyone has the opportunity to unleash their talents.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101094526