Leading initiatieves
On May 21, from 9:00 to 14:00, the Inter Expo Center will become a stage for an open and honest conversation about the future of Bulgarian business at both national and global level.
The event “Together in the New Business Reality: Challenge the Expert” will bring together companies and experts in an open format where questions are just as important as the answers.
There will be no lectures or presentations. Instead, you will be an active participant in a direct dialogue with leading experts—without unnecessary formalities—focusing only on the topics, challenges, and solutions shaping the new business reality. You will have the opportunity to ask the questions that truly matter and receive clear, expert insights.
Two key sessions will set the direction:
- Business Under Pressure: AI, Cyber (In)Security, and the Limits of Responsibility
- Sustainability or Illusion: Managing Resources and Intelligence Between Algorithms and Generations
The focus will be on practical business cases, thought-provoking questions from participants, and the opportunity to directly challenge the expert.
The event is organized by Enterprise Europe Network Bulgaria – a driver of connectivity and innovation in the international business environment and part of the largest business support network in Europe.
Participation is free of charge.
Over the course of two years and two calls, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe received funding to implement measures aimed at reducing their overall energy consumption by at least 5%. As a partner in the initiative, the Renewable Energy Sources Cluster (RES Cluster), together with the organizations of Enterprise Europe Network – Bulgaria, actively supported Bulgarian companies throughout this process.
The EENergy initiative was implemented in cooperation with Enterprise Europe Network, as part of the Network’s sustainability services delivered under the EU Single Market Programme. Grants were provided to SMEs willing to implement measures to reduce their energy consumption and, consequently, their carbon footprint.
Enterprise Europe Network – Bulgaria took an active role in both calls of the initiative. As one of the partners, RES Cluster responded to inquiries from dozens of Bulgarian SMEs seeking to improve their energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. The organization was supported by sustainability consultants from the Bulgarian Network, including experts from the Cluster of Mechatronics and Automation and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Stara Zagora, as well as all other network partners, who provided strong support in promoting the initiative and assisting applicant companies at regional level.
The “green” consultants of Enterprise Europe Network – Bulgaria carried out specialized energy assessments for companies aiming to reduce their energy consumption and developed energy efficiency improvement plans targeting at least a 5% reduction. These plans formed the basis for the application process. The organizations within the Bulgarian Network also supported companies in preparing and submitting their applications.
Within the two calls of the initiative, 102 Bulgarian SMEs submitted applications with the support of Enterprise Europe Network – Bulgaria experts. Of these, 37 companies from various regions and sectors were randomly selected for funding. Bulgaria ranked among the top five countries in terms of the share of funded companies relative to the number of applications, alongside the Czech Republic, Finland, Malta, and Germany.
The funded Bulgarian companies represent businesses from Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Gabrovo, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Silistra, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Shumen, and other regions, operating in sectors such as trade, services, manufacturing, agriculture, ecotourism, transport, and ICT.
The 100% grant funding, of up to €10,000 per company, was fully invested in measures such as the installation of photovoltaic systems and battery storage, the purchase of energy-efficient equipment, the replacement of outdated machinery, the acquisition of electric vehicles, and more. All Bulgarian companies that completed their projects have already demonstrated at least a 5% reduction in their energy costs and have recovered their investments.
In the “Success Stories” section of the EENergy website, you can watch the video “Code Green: 100-year-old authentic Bulgarian guesthouse now welcoming nature lovers with green energy”, featuring the Bulgarian company Strenia. The article “From Invisible Energy Use to Measurable Impact: STS Invest Holding Goes Solar with EENergy support” presents how the initiative supported STS Invest Holding. The section includes both articles and videos showcasing success stories from across Europe.
The sixth edition of the “Science for Business” forum, organized by the Joint Innovation Centre at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), is coming soon.
The event continues to connect the scientific community and business, creating opportunities for presenting innovative developments, technology transfer, and building new partnerships.
In 2025, the forum brought together leading researchers, companies, and institutions, showcasing successful applied science projects with strong potential for industrial implementation. The focus was placed on the practical applicability of scientific research and on cooperation between science and business in the context of the digital and green transition. Among the presented solutions were high-tech developments in energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology, demonstrating how scientific potential can be transformed into real business value.
Expect the new edition with even more opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and the implementation of scientific solutions into practice.
More information will follow – stay tuned to our channels for the latest updates.
