Bulgaria seeks EU approval for 1 bln euro innovation programme

The ministry expects to launch the programme at the start of 2023, it said in a statement.

The programme, called “Scientific research, innovation and digitization for intelligent transformation” will provide financing to higher schools, research organisations and businesses.

As part of the programme, 70 million euro ($70.3 million) will be provided for building a national network of 12 digital and innovation hubs to unite businesses, research organisations, universities and the non-governmental sector.

As much as 142 million euro will be used for the development of centres of excellence and competence centres. Additionally, 25 million euro will be allocated to encourage the partnership of small and medium-size enterprises with academia.

The financing will be provided by the European Regional Development Fund and the Bulgarian government.

At the start of October, the European Commission approved financing of nearly 3 billion levs over the next five years, to help foster technological innovation, digitalisation and energy efficiency.

(1 euro = 1.95583 levs)