03 Dec 2024
The first in-person seminar under the JTP Groundwork program was held in Stara Zagora, organized by the "Investment, Energy Efficiency and Green Transition" Department of the Stara Zagora Municipality. The seminar marked a significant step towards the realization of the idea of creating a business incubator in the region.
The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, local authorities, entrepreneurs, young people and business representatives.
The main goal was to begin preparations for the construction of a business incubator that would promote innovation, stimulate entrepreneurship and support economic diversification in the region, mitigating the adverse effects of the green transition.
Rositsa Raykova, Head of the Investment, "Energy Efficiency and Green Transition" Department, emphasized the importance of sustainability in the construction of the incubator:
“The idea originated as part of the project to develop a Strategy for the Development of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Digitalization in the Stara Zagora Region. The project consultants identified the need for such an incubator as a potential for further development of the economy in the region,” specified Rositsa Raykova.
“For the implementation of the project we are presenting today, we are ready to provide expertise and contacts to find the most suitable strategy for you. Stara Zagora is a very important city for us. We are glad that we can actively participate in the process of transformation towards a green economy, emphasized Zsolt Sokolai - Deputy Head of Unit at JTP Groundwork at the European Commission.
“Our goal is for everyone who is in one way or another affected by the “green” transformation” to receive support. We appreciate the active participation of the Municipality of Stara Zagora in the process of transformation of the economy in the region,” announced Ms. Agnes Tisai on behalf of the European Commission.
Dimitar Dimitrov, Senior Consultant at PriceWaterHouse Coopers, presented a presentation on the topic: “Strategy for the development of entrepreneurship, innovation and digitalization. During the seminar, he focused on the barriers and challenges in the development of entrepreneurship in the region, as well as the vision for the development of entrepreneurship in the region. He also outlined the big picture for building a business incubator as a measure for the development of the Stara Zagora region.
The JTP Groundwork team presented a business incubator development plan. The plan is based on case studies, stakeholder interviews and in-depth research. It outlines strategic actions for the implementation and management of the incubator, aiming to use the opportunities of the region and support the successful transition to a greener economy.
During the seminar, successful examples of business incubators from Europe were presented, showing how such structures can stimulate the local economy and promote innovation.
· SAŠA INKUBATOR (Slovenia): Thanks to this incubator, 97 enterprises were created and 155 new jobs were created.
· Minerva Business Incubator (Andalusia): 183 businesses created, generating revenues of almost 21.5 million leva in 2020.
· ILC – Innovation Business Center, which manages four sectoral business incubators. In 2014, 229 companies were supported, which led to the creation of 1,700 jobs, of which 1,500 were high-tech.
In the second part of the event, an interactive workshop was held, in which participants, divided into groups, actively exchanged ideas and discussed specific steps for the creation of a business incubator in Stara Zagora. The working session provided an opportunity for creativity and cooperation between representatives of different sectors, including entrepreneurs and youth.
JTP Groundwork, provided by the European Commission through the Just Transition Platform (JTP), is a capacity building support programme aimed at assisting regions receiving funding from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) in the implementation of their Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTP).
