ABOUT US

SZ REDA

Regional Economic Development Agency - Stara Zagora (SZREDA) was established in 1995 in partnership with the Municipality of Stara Zagora with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is defined in the sense of Article 2 of the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities as a non-profit association for the implementation of socially useful activities to achieve the goals and fulfill the tasks laid down in its Charter.
SZREDA members are the 11 municipalities in the Stara Zagora region: Stara Zagora, Chirpan, Kazanlak, Nikolaevo, Bratya Daskalovi, Muglizh, Pavel Banya, Opan, Galabovo and Radnevo; Thrace University; Center for Human Resources Development and Regional Initiatives at Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Bulgarian-German Vocational Training Centre); Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Stara Zagora.

MAIN GOAL

The main goal of SZREDA is to support the establishment and implementation of mechanisms for managing the processes of successful integration in the European Community of local and regional authorities and businesses in the region by developing policies at a regional and local level aimed at sustainable development and stimulating its economic development.
The agency is a member of the Bulgarian Association of Agencies for Regional Development and Business Centers (BARDA) and works in partnership with the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Bulgarian Investment Agency and other institutions and organizations working to support entrepreneurship and the economic development of the Stara Zagora region.

PARTNERS AND CLIENTS

SZREDA has a wide range of partners and clients from the region - small and medium enterprises, municipalities, government institutions, non-profit organizations, citizens. The agency partners with a number of national and international organizations and provide services to foreign companies. By letter of MEET 12-00-1635 / 29.11.2011, Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency was notified that it is registered as a Regional Tourist Association in the National Tourist Register on the grounds of Art. 59, para 1 in connection with art. 61 of the Tourism Act.

GENDER EQUALITY PLAN

Activities

Research and assessment of the real economic potential of the Stara Zagora region and its development opportunities.
1

Developing strategies

for overall and sectoral development of the economy and assistance in their implementation



2

Projects

Preparation and management.

3

Investments

implementation of initiatives to popularize the region and attract national and foreign investments.


4

Regional development cluster

1 Develops programs
2 Facilitate policies
3 Initiates projects
4 Represents the region
5 Organizes trainings
6 Attracts new members

5

Training and retraining of staff

including the unemployed, in order to meet current and future needs of the restructuring and development of the economy

 

6

Helping the local
authorities

and business, as well as other interested persons and organizations from the region in establishing business contacts and building business relations in Bulgaria, the EU and third countries

7

Organizing meetings and seminars

exhibitions, fairs and others for the development and promotion of local business

8

Publication, printing and distribution of brochures

information bulletins, advertising materials and others necessary for the activities of SZREDA, businesses, local authorities, etc.

9

Assistance in finding sources of financing

Providing access to donor programs, credit institutions, credit lines, guarantee funds and others

10

Consulting businesses and municipalities

in preparation, management and reporting of projects, funding from the EU and other sources, including “feasibility study”[1]

11

Shared workspace

consulting and information services, including supporting innovation[2]



12

Digitization and access to innovation




[1] according to item 15 of the Framework for State Aid for Scientific Research, Development and Innovation, (2014/C 198/01)
[2] according to item 15 of the Framework for State Aid for Scientific Research, Development and Innovation, (2014/C 198/01)

Members and Partners

Stara Zagora municipality

Chirpan municipality

Kazanlak municipality

Nikolaevo municipality

Bratya Daskalovi municipality

Maglizh municipality

Pavel Banya municipality

Gurkovo municipality

Opan municipality

Radnevo municipality

Galabovo municipality

Trakia University

SE BGCPE

Chamber of Commerce and Industry

EDIH Zagore

Representation of the EC in Bulgaria

European Parliament

Team

5497be6c-578e-43bf-bf9c-eec90b03a030

D-r Rumyana Grozeva

Executive Director

Dr. Rumyana Grozeva has a PhD in economics from the Institute for Economic Research of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Her PhD builds on her Master's degree from the University of National and World Economy, focusing on sustainable regional development. She has 7 years of experience in state administration. Since 2008 she is the executive director of SZ REDA. From 2018 until 2021 is a member of the Board of Directors of Zagore Industrial Zone. From April 2021 is the coordinating manager of the European Digital Innovation Hub Zagore. She is also a teacher at Sofia University and Thrace University. A well-known and sought-after expert and lecturer on international projects and events.
123646cc-c8bf-47e8-928d-c74f27c1cc3a

Ivanka Museva

Chief Accountant

Иванка Мусева е главен счетоводител на АРИР - Стара Загора от 2011 година. С 43-годишен стаж в областта на счетоводството. Дълги години е главен счетоводител на Компанията Балканфарма секюрити ЕООД, част от Мулнационалната компания ТЕВА – БЪЛГАРИЯ/ позната до 2016 година като АКТАВИС/, осигуряваща сигурността и охраната на фармацевтичните заводи – Балканфарма Троян АД и Балканфарва Дупница АД и също така е с богат опит и в организациите с нестопанска цел от 2003 година. С отборен дух и желание предава опита си на по-младите колеги, желаещи да поемат по пътя на финансите. Професионална ѝ етика е свързана не само с това което прави, но и с това как го прави. Определя ясно целите си и концентрира усилията, вниманието и енергията си върху изпълнението им. Непоправим оптимист, вярващ в доброто. Природата е нейното вдъхновение.

Miglena Georgieva

Financial Manager

Content
Mariya

Mariya Hristova

Administration Manager

My name is Maria Hristova. I graduated from a language high school with a profile in English and German. I subsequently gained a C1 Advanced Certificate from Cambridge English Qualifications. I have experience with oral and written translations from and to English in various fields incl. of technical documentation. I graduated from the Technical University in the city of Varna, majoring in Computer Systems and Technologies. I have many years of experience in the position of Personal Assistant to the Executive Director, I have dealt with many administrative activities, I have worked in a large team (over 500 people), I have participated in the organization of business trips, meetings, events, team-buildings. Currently, I am the Administrative Manager at SZREDA.

Adriyan Hristov

Expert international programs and projects

Content
Bilyana Pepa pic

Biliyana Pepa

Expert international programs and projects

Bilyana Pepa holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Social and Political Sciences "Pantheon" in Athens, Greece and a master's degree in agronomy from Burgas Free University, Burgas. She specialized for one year at Euro University Hospital in Alexandroupolis, Greece, where she developed practical skills and expanded her professional experience. She currently holds the position of expert on international and European projects in SZREDA. She likes the dynamism and diversity that this sector offers. She believes that communication with people from different cultural backgrounds and familiarization with diverse cultures contribute significantly to personal growth and deepens the process of self-knowledge. She is fluent in Greek and English, which helps her navigate confidently in an international environment.
Image (3)

Vasil Demirev

Expert international programs and projects

Vasil Demirev is a Master of Law with many years of experience in the non-governmental sector in the field of social entrepreneurship. He is the creator of mentoring programs and events for young people to develop their personal and professional opportunities. Public figure, initiator and organizer of a number of humanitarian projects, in his capacity as a member and past president of the Stara Zagora Rotary Club.
Gabriela_Kacheshmarova_snimka

Gabriela Kacheshmarova

Expert international programs and projects

Gabriela Kacheshmarova is an IT enthusiast with a humanistic approach, and she skillfully set out to translate the complex language of technology in an accessible and comprehensible way for everyone. With a variety of qualifications and diplomas in various fields, she constantly strives to enrich her knowledge and skills to stay abreast of the dynamic world of innovation. She is interested in psychology and business communication, which helps her better understand human needs and motivation. She loves to discover new cultures and believes that every encounter enriches the personality. Through her efforts, she strives not only to inspire, but also to create solutions that enrich people's lives.
viber_image_2024-10-22_14-21-55-199

Tea Turlakova

Expert international programs and projects

Tea Turlakova is an expert in international projects and programs. She specializes in social innovation and communication, with a particular focus on people and their well-being. She holds two bachelor's degrees acquired abroad: in business administration and sociology. As part of the projects coordinated by the agency, she focuses on building sustainable communities and promoting social engagement. Tea has experience in developing strategies that connect individual needs with broader social goals. She believes that successful initiatives should be at the center of the community, and actively works to encourage the participation of local residents in various projects.

Mariya Dineva

Expert programs and projects

Content

Daniela Dimova

European integration expert

Content
Добромира_photo2

Dobromira Yotovska

European integration expert

Dobromira Yotovska was born in Stara Zagora, where she completed her secondary education at the "Romain Rolland" Public School with a profile of German and English, and in the meantime participated in the "Zagorche" Children's and Youth Folk Ensemble, where she learned to play the gadulka. She got a bachelor's degree in European studies at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", and subsequently a master's degree in communications at "St. Cyril and Methodius" University of Veliko Tarnovo. Driven by her curiosity and the desire to learn about other cultures, she spent 4 years in Germany and a 5-month internship in Portugal, often traveling throughout Europe. In 2022 she returns to Bulgaria to look for a field useful for society in her hometown - and finds it in SZREDA. Some of her favorite activities are traveling, hiking in the mountains, learning languages, good books and movies.
Katya Dyankova pic

Katya Dyankova

European integration expert

Content
Polya Toncheva pic

Polya Toncheva

European integration expert

Polya Toncheva is an expert with over 10 years of experience in the non-governmental sector and a higher education, majoring in Computer Systems and Technologies from the Technical University - Sofia. She has in-depth knowledge and practical experience with European projects in the field of biodiversity, successfully combining her technical skills with an understanding of European policies and programs. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, hiking, horseback riding, sports, and fine wine tasting—hobbies that fuel her pursuit of balance and sustainability in her personal and professional life.
Untitledер

Mariya Andreeva

Public relations expert

Maria Andreeva is a communications specialist, blogger and journalist with an irresistible passion for tourism, food and wine. She has a completed bachelor's degree in "Public Relations" from SU "St. Kliment Ohridski" and over 15 years of communication experience in media, marketing agencies and personal projects. She has worked for over 10 years as an international editor in national print media and over 7 years in the field of digital marketing and online content creation for businesses. For her, writing is a way of life – not only in work, but also in everyday life. It is best combined with travel, food and wine to transport us to more beautiful, more exciting and tastier worlds. At SZREDA, she took on the responsible task of communication manager of the most delicious SMEOrigin project.
Untitled4234

Iva Zhekova

Communications specialist

Iva Zhekova was born in Sofia, where she completed her higher education, majoring in English Philology at Sofia University "Kliment Ohridski". She repeatedly participated in eco-oriented campaigns - cleaning of green and urban areas, reservoirs and campaigns dedicated to environmental protection. A nomad at heart, she changed different destinations for residence and after graduating from university she moved to Stara Zagora, where she worked in the field of trade and communications and found her way to SZREDA. Loves nature, horseback riding, archery, photography, handicrafts and is also a folk dance director at a folk arts school.