28 Apr 2026
At the end of last month, the second international partner meeting under the SteelCityZen project took place in Nikšić, Montenegro. The project is implemented under the Interreg Danube Region Programme 2021–2027, funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund.
The meeting was attended by Ani Karagyozova and Mariana Perchemliyeva from the Municipality of Stara Zagora’s Department of Investments, Energy Efficiency and Green Transition, as well as Georgi Gyokov, Director of the Stara Zagora Labour Office Directorate.
During the two-day event, partners reviewed the project’s progress and outlined the next steps in planning and implementing pilot activities. Particular emphasis was placed on improving workforce skills and adapting local labour markets to the requirements of the green and digital transitions.
The results of a joint stakeholder analysis and reports on labour market conditions in the partner cities were presented. Discussions addressed key challenges facing industrial regions, including shortages of skilled workers and the need to better align education with business needs.
Common challenges identified across all partner cities include mismatches between labour supply and demand, shortages of technical specialists, an ageing workforce, limited participation in lifelong learning, and insufficient coordination between institutions.
The analysis for Stara Zagora identifies shortages of staff for high-tech roles in information and communication technologies, mechatronics, automation and renewable energy. It also highlights the need to develop so-called “soft skills”, including communication, teamwork, emotional intelligence, creativity and problem-solving, and to improve digital competencies among jobseekers.
The pilot activities discussed include creating an online platform for skills and employment, developing local centres to support residents, and building lasting partnerships between municipalities, businesses and educational institutions. The partners began working together in three transnational working groups focused on developing specific pilot solutions.
As part of the project, the Municipality of Stara Zagora will work to strengthen cooperation between local authorities and employers. A stakeholder meeting is scheduled for May to discuss specific ideas and initiatives for implementing the pilot activities.
The Municipality of Stara Zagora’s participation in SteelCityZen forms part of the local administration’s long-term efforts to encourage economic activity, create a more resilient and adaptable local labour market, and establish sustainable conditions for regional development. The meeting in Nikšić helped strengthen cooperation between the partners and build a solid foundation for the next stage of project implementation, including exchanges of experience and good practices and the introduction of innovative solutions to support the local economy.
