The team of Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency (SZREDA) became the first partner of the INNOGROW project consortium (9 partners from eight EU countries), that received approval for good practice identified in Bulgaria within the framework of the project. The number of localized good practices is one of the key objectives of the project to promote the exchange of useful experience in the regions of Europe.
The good practice, which has been considered as successful for transfer in other countries and regions in the EU, is the TechnoStart initiative, which has three implemented editions by the Ministry of Economy and is directed at financing business ideas for students. After the discussion with the representatives from the institution, the necessary information and consent from the Ministry was obtained and the good practice was uploaded in the INTERREG Europe platform.
As result, there is a real opportunity for successful transfer of the good practice that comes from Bulgaria to other regions / countries in the EU.
The INNOGROW project (Regional Innovation Policies Driving Competitiveness and Growth of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Rural Areas) aims to provide regional support to engage small and medium-sized enterprises in the rural economy in the implementation of innovation. Usually small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas have great difficulty in adopting and implementing innovations in order to increase their competitiveness. Regional policies should be geared towards and supporting the dissemination of innovative solutions and innovative business models that would lead to productivity gains and provide access to new markets.