site.btaClosing Conference of Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills Project to Be Held in Varshets

The closing conference of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project will take place in Varshets, Northwestern Bulgaria, on Monday. The initiative is led by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) with the support of the European Commission (EC).

The project aims to deliver clear and comprehensive information about the European Union’s cohesion policy. This includes key components such as the Just Transition Fund, the Recovery Plan for Europe, and the Technical Support Instrument. Special emphasis has been placed on the role of skills development in driving regional growth. The project builds on the results of two previous projects carried out by BTA in 2023 and 2024.

The conference will be attended by Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev, Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the EC Representation in Bulgaria, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, and Varshets Mayor Ivan Lazarov.

The first panel, titled "Together through Knowledge in Universities," will feature Sofia University Rector Georgi Valchev, National Academy of Art Rector Georgi Yankov, Varna University of Management Rector Krasimira Staneva, Burgas Free University Rector Milen Baltov.

The closing panel, under the theme "Together through Knowledge with the Support of the European Union," will include Ivan Popov, Head of the Managing Authority for the Science and Education for Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020 and the Programme Education 2021–2027, and Tzvetan Spassov, Head of the Managing Authority for the Human Resources Development Operational Programme at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

Iliana Georgieva, Head of BTA’s Projects Department, will moderate the conference discussions.

To date, 30 regional and local conferences have been organized at BTA National Press Clubs across Bulgaria, including in Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Petrich, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences have been held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Skopje, Edirne, and Thessaloniki.