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.
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Streamlining Public Support for SMEs and Innovations InnoBridge Project Final event
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” The words of Henry Ford captured the essence of the interregional approach of the InnoBridge project final event, organized by Sofia Development Association on September 30, 2020, and entitled Streamlining Public Support for SMEs and Innovations. The hybrid event brought together about 100 participants – mostly online but also physically in Sofia – key players from academia, research and technology institutes, regional and local authorities, managing authorities, business organizations, SMEs, experts from 29 cities in 14 countries.
“The SME sector and innovative solutions coming from the industry are critical for a speedy recovery of the economy post-COVID-19. It is also important to ensure that the next Multiannual Financial Framework will provide access to and sufficient resources for innovations, especially in support of SMEs, for further investments and development,” stated the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova at the event opening.
An outstanding group of dynamic and leading-edge speakers offered their insights and experience in developing regional policy mixes to foster innovations and make R&D results available to SMEs. While this policy area was relevant when the InnoBridge project was launched in 2016, it matters even more now after the COVID-19 crisis affected strongly our economy and society. The panelists identified important trends, such as flexible refocusing of support measures, centers of knowledge as core of innovation ecosystems, links that allow making professional decision without professional cost. Event participants shared examples of innovative actionable solutions.
Here is the hands-on quick dive into the various topics discussed: barriers and challenges to innovations in the European regions; replicable good practices; ways to connect business and universities; how to fill the missing elements in the entrepreneurial ecosystem; how to mobilize the existing skills in the region and nurture the skills for the future; policy recommendations for the way forward.
InnoBridge is funded by the INTERREG EUROPE programme, cofunded by EU’s ERDF.
All presentations and photos of the event can be found at: www.innobridge-project.eu
New opportunities for stakeholder cooperation within the UnionMigrantNet project in Sofia
On September 25, 2020, Sofia Development Association took part in the concluding conference of the ARTEM initiative, on the invitation of the Bulgarian coordinator CATRO Bulgaria. The conference gathered representatives of NGOs, volunteers, the state Employment Agency, the State Agency for Refugees, UNHCR, and others to discuss new opportunities for the integration of refugees and third-country nationals in the social and economic life in the country. Through the opportunity to present the UMN project and to strengthen the partnership with local stakeholders, the UMN partners in Sofia – SDA and the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) – hope to achieve greater impact and to improve the capacity of public institutions, employers, and social partners to integrate third-country nationals in the economic and social life in the country.
Co-funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union
CITUB experts conducted the first "Labor and social security rights of third-country nationals" training
The first "Labor and social security rights of third-country nationals" training took place on September 12. The training took place in the framework of the international project "UnionMigrantNet and Cities Together for Integration" #UnionMigrantNet of the European Trade Union Confederation, funded by the Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs, 863738-UM N-AMIF2018AG-INTE. The training is organized by the Bulgarian partners in the project – CITUB, Sofia Development Association and Dolna Malina Municipality.
Experts from the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) presented the rights and obligations of employers and employees, the peculiarities of labor and social security relations, the challenges of employment during a pandemic. The participants discussed programs and ways to search for a job, opportunities for upgrade of skills, career guidance and social counseling. The training aims to support the integration of third-country nationals residing in Bulgaria. The following topics were discussed during the training: employment contracts, labor law, insurance, leave and other important and useful topics for every employee in Bulgaria. The working languages of the training were Bulgarian and Arabic.
City Residents Can Help Reduce the Spread of Covid-19 in Public Transport in Sofia
A new article about the project CO-APS emphasizes the role of digital technologies and the citizens’ active engagement in making more secure the public transport and shared urban places for the city residents. The project consortium will developed a mobile application for use by passengers for real-time data of the occupancy rate in public transport in the city. Sofia, along with Barcelona, Istanbul, and Karditsa will be the first to test it. CO-APS will deliver more options and choices for passengers – by choosing which service suits them best from the palm of their hand, the power lies with the passenger. For more information about the project and the launch of the mobile application, visit SDA’s website regularly. Read here more about the project ambition and activities.
Sofia Development Association invites you to take part in the final InnoBridge event: "Streamlining Public Support for SME Innovation"
Date: 30 September 2020
Venue: Online
Time: 09:30 - 12:30 CET
Language: English
Early evidence shows that the current COVID-19 pandemic has affected the SMEs and businesses around Europe. Now more than ever we need good policy responses to foster SME resilience, to help them grow stronger and more innovative after the crisis.
What are the measures implemented in different European countries and which have proven to be effective? Join the conference to discuss related issues and approaches with representatives of regions from Austria, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. See the full program of the InnoBridge project event here.
Political figures, practitioners, researchers, policy makers, representatives of the business community and civil society will share experience and ideas on a wide range of topics: “Cities as innovation hubs,” “Connecting Danube Region SME challenges with local goals in place-based innovation policy,” “Making a difference through partnerships,” “How to foster innovation in SMEs.” We invite you to take this opportunity and to engage in a fruitful exchange with our panelists!
The working language of the event is English. It is free and open to the public, but you must register to gain access to the meeting. If you would like to participate, please register here.
InnoBridge is funded by the INTERREG EUROPE programme, cofunded by EU’s ERDF.
SDA Continues to Support the Integration of Third-country nationals in the Labor Market
The new publication of SDA focuses on the issue of integrating third-country nationals in the labor market in Bulgaria and is part of the project UMN - UnionMigrantNet and Cities Together for Integration. SDA is planning to organize seminars for local employers in order to assist them in hiring third-country nationals (TCNs). The events will ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the relevant regulations, and will stand against exploitation of and unfair competition between local and migrant workers, for full equal treatment in the labour market, in workplaces and in access to social protection and public services.