19 May 2026
The Municipality of Stara Zagora is a partner in the international Network4Work network, funded under the URBACT IV programme. The project brings together seven European cities and organisations working to improve local employment policies and develop sustainable solutions to labour market challenges. The Hungarian city of Nyíregyháza is the Lead Partner. The other partners are Lousada (Portugal), Pavlos Melas (Greece), SERDA (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Stara Zagora (Bulgaria), Varberg (Sweden), and Vilanova i la Geltrú (Spain).
Veronika Petkova, Chief Expert in the Department of Investments, Energy Efficiency and Green Transition, presented a detailed analysis of the current situation and the main challenges facing the municipality. Stara Zagora’s labour market is undergoing significant transformation and experiencing a structural imbalance: vacancies are available, but employers increasingly struggle to find suitable staff, while some workers do not meet the requirements or show little interest in the positions offered. In addition to technical competencies, employers also report a growing shortage of so-called “soft skills”, including adaptability, teamwork and workplace discipline.
At the end of the meeting, all stakeholders discussed the positions that remain unfilled, the main challenges facing the labour market, and the specific skills needed to build a successful career in the region.
The initiative’s expected results include stronger administrative capacity, better alignment between the skills required by employers and those available in the workforce, and the integration of the digital and green transitions into local policies. Through exchanges of experience and peer learning, the partners will develop investment and strategic plans tailored to each city’s specific circumstances.
The meeting was attended by Georgi Gyokov, Director of the Stara Zagora Labour Office, Rositsa Raykova, Head of the Department of Investments, Energy Efficiency and Green Transition, and experts from the department.
Network4Work is an URBACT IV Transfer Network that applies the successful “Local Employment Forum” model developed in Nyíregyháza, Hungary. Established in 2017, the model brings together nearly 40 organisations and focuses on labour market analysis, coordination between employers and educational institutions, retraining measures, retaining young people and attracting investment.
The network’s main objective is to support partner cities in analysing local employment challenges and building effective partnerships between all stakeholders.
