About the project

Two Bulgarian and two Greek organisations aiming at achieving a sustainable business environment in the Greece-Bulgaria border region, funded by the Interreg V-A Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020 programme, concentrate their joint efforts in the implementation of a Business council project.

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The program

The INTERREG V-A Greece-Bulgaria programme aims to expand entrepreneurial activity in the eligible region and improve the capacity of SMEs to penetrate external markets. Furthermore, the programme will improve cross-border cooperation in flood risk management and develop and promote the cultural and natural heritage of the border area for tourism purposes. In addition, the envisaged actions will lead to an improved joint groundwater and surface water management system. They will also improve the accessibility of the cross-border region, which in turn will reduce travel times for people and goods and make road traffic safer. Finally, the programme aims to expand social entrepreneurship in the border region, leading to increased employment levels in social enterprises and more social services delivered in municipalities with poor socio-economic indicators.
Project start: 13.04.2021 Project end: 12.04.2023.

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The main objective of the project

The establishment of business councils in Bulgaria and Greece to cover 9 priority sectors ( Agri-industry, Food industry, Waste management for recycling or energy, Renewable energy and energy saving, Sustainable tourism, Health, Materials, Technology, Textile industry). It is foreseen to establish one Business Council for each priority sector in Greece and Bulgaria the regions of Evros, Xanthi, Rhodopes, Drama, Kavala, Thessaloniki, Haskovo, Kardjali, Smolyan and Blagoevgrad.

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The main role of business advice

To involve in its structure representatives of SMEs, branch organisations, chambers of commerce and industry, representatives of local authorities and municipal and regional administrations and entrepreneurs, who in each of the priority sectors can influence the actions of the council on sectoral issues, support the activities of businesses and exchange experiences with their counterparts in Greece. Through this project, connectivity will be achieved between business representatives from each of the priority industries and local government representatives, they will be able to discuss the problems and challenges faced by business and discuss best practices and know-how on common problems and constraints.

Expected results

The main outcomes of the project are to achieve a partnership between business representatives, local administrations and government agencies in order to reduce the identified constraints placed on entrepreneurs. A measurable outcome is the creation of business councils composed of business and government representatives, which business councils, once established, continue to exist and address identical local problems. Business councils will be formed - one council each from the priority areas in Greece and Bulgaria.

Objectives

9
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in Bulgaria
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9
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in Greece

Establishment of business councils in Bulgaria - Establishment of business councils in the regions of Blagoevgrad, Smolyan, Haskovo and Kardzhali in 9 priority sectors- Agrarian Industry, Food Industry, Waste Management for Recycling or Energy, Renewable Energy and Energy Saving, Sustainable Tourism, Healthcare, Materials, Technology, Textile Industry.

Establishment of business councils in Greece- Establishment of business councils in the regions of Evros, Xanthi, Rhodopes, Drama, Kavala and Thessaloniki in 9 priority sectors- Agro-industry, Food industry, Waste management for recycling or energy, Renewable energy and energy saving, Sustainable tourism, Health, Materials, Technology, Textile industry.

Beneficiaries