On 5 March, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, became a focal point for digital innovation and transformation as four Bulgarian European Digital Innovation Hubs – benefitting from Cohesion Policy and Digital Europe Programme and recognized as operation of strategic importance – organized a public event centred on digital and green transformation. The gathering, hosted by Trakia University, showcased the Hubs’ contributions to business and public sectors, highlighting the role of digitalization and innovation. The event attracted representatives from the industry, academia and government, who had the opportunity to exchange experiences on advancing towards digital transformation.
Four Bulgarian Digital Innovation Hubs: a model of EU investment and collaboration
- 07 March 2025
Sofia Alves, Director for Administrative Capacity Building and Programme Implementation within the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy at the Commission, emphasized the role that European Digital Innovation Hubs play in today's competitive and rapidly changing environment. She praised these hubs as essential links between businesses and research institutions and highlighted Trakia University as a model of successful collaboration, while reaffirming the EU’s commitment to supporting Stara Zagora’s digital and economic development.
The Four Digital Hubs
The four hubs - CYBER4ALL STAR, EDICS, AgroDigiRise and SynGReDiT - operate on key sectors, such as cybersecurity, construction, agriculture, and clean and green technologies, and also work in synergy. They are part of a broader Bulgarian network of 12 European Digital Innovation Hubs. The other eight hubs have been awarded the Seal of Excellence and will receive support through the Bulgarian Programme for Research, Innovation, and Digitalisation for Smart Transformation 2021-2027.
Each hub acts as a one-stop shop for small and medium-sized enterprises and public organizations, helping them to navigate digital challenges and ensure that they do not only remain competitive but also lead in innovation and sustainability. Cohesion Policy, provides support to the four hubs’ amounting to EUR 5.7 million.
Additional EU-backed Initiatives
The Programme for Research, Innovation and Digitalisation for Smart Transformation and the Competitiveness & Innovation in Enterprises also support four additional operations of strategic importance.
- Encouraging companies to utilise electricity, heating, and cooling generated from renewable sources for their own consumption through the Energy and Resource Efficiency Fund.
- Fostering partnerships among businesses to achieve industrial symbiosis, which includes establishing sectoral platforms for the exchange of best practices.
- The sustainable development of Centres of Excellence and Centres of Competence
- A dedicated Technology Transfer Fund.
Through these initiatives, Bulgaria is harnessing EU investment to accelerate digitalization, strengthen competitiveness, and drive sustainable growth.