site.bta76 Projects Funded under STEM Project in Vratsa Region

A total of 76 projects have been funded under the STEM Environment and High-Tech Classrooms in Schools project in Vratsa Region, aimed at increasing students' interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as creating innovative teaching methods in the region, Regional Information Centre Manager Tsvetana Ivanova said during a local conference held here on Tuesday. The event was part of BTA’s Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project.

She pointed out that the total amount paid under the project is over BGN 12 million, adding that the funds paid under the Operational Programme Education and Smart Growth 2014-2020 are over BGN 3 million in Vratsa Region.

The total value of the agreed funds under the programme Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation is over BGN 4 million, while the funds under the Operational Programme Human Resources Development amount to BGN 200,000, Ivanova noted.

Three projects worth a total of BGN 700,000 have been agreed under the Education Programme 2021-2027, she said and pointed to good practices of significant projects in the region such as the modernization of public transport in Vratsa Municipality and the renovation of the pedestrian zone in Vratsa, amongst others.

BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. The schedule of conferences until the end of September 2025 includes events in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.