27 Mar 2024
A delegation from Stara Zagora was on a research visit to the city of Lodz, Poland
Last week, a delegation from Stara Zagora made an exploratory visit to the city of Lodz, Poland, which was part of a project to develop a Strategy for the development of innovation, digitalization and entrepreneurship in the Stara Zagora region. It was organized in cooperation with the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support of the European Commission, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, in its capacity as project consultant, Stara Zagora Municipality and the Regional Government of Lodz Voivodeship, Poland.
The purpose of the visit was for the experts to familiarize themselves with the experience of the Łódź region in dealing with the challenges of economic development as a region dependent on coal. Good practices for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, strategic priorities, measures and leading innovation projects (past, current and planned) that have driven or have the potential to drive the ecosystem, possible models for cooperation with business and science, as well as and examples from the transition process that continues to this day.
Participants in the delegation were Teodora Noncheva - deputy regional governor of Stara Zagora, Rositsa Raykova - head of the "Investment, energy efficiency and green transition department" at the Municipality of Stara Zagora, Antoaneta Nikova - representative of "Industrial Zone Zagore" JSC, Assoc. Dr. Emil Slavov - vice-rector for project activities at Trakia University, Donka Todorova - Agency for Regional Economic Development.
During the visit, meetings were held with several regional and local level organizations, clusters, universities and educational institutions. Two industrial zones were also visited, where key features and advantages for attracting investment and transition to a low-carbon economy, programs for sustainable and inclusive growth, various support mechanisms, as well as numerous opportunities for cooperation and collaboration were identified.
