Gabrovo | 12 June 2025
Thirty-two representatives from the business community, local and regional authorities, and educational institutions gathered in Gabrovo to take part in the Business Forum “Sustainability, Innovation and International Cooperation,” held under the ARIES4 project.
Spotlight on Sustainability
The forum opened with a panel on sustainable development. Irena Rashkova presented key deliverables of the ARIES4 project aimed at empowering SMEs and public authorities. The Vice Rector of the Technical University of Gabrovo introduced practical measures for reducing carbon emissions in SMEs through energy efficiency. Two ESG experts explored how innovation transforms sustainability from a compliance issue into a competitive edge.
Fostering Innovation and Cross-Border Collaboration
The second panel focused on innovation and partnerships across regions.
- Funding the Future (2025–2027): Maria Ilcheva highlighted upcoming EU and national programs to support business growth.
- Enterprise Europe Network: Services for SMEs and best practices in regional energy efficiency were presented.
- ALLON_I3 Best Practice: A case of successful interregional cooperation and ecosystem development.
- EDIH Adi4SMEs: The director introduced digital maturity services available to SMEs in Northern Central Bulgaria.
Green Thinking in Action
Between panels, teams took part in an eco-quiz, competing for green points. The winning team earned eco-friendly prizes and all participants engaged in sustainability in a fun, dynamic way.
Looking Ahead
The event concluded with an open discussion on the future of corporate sustainability reporting.
“The forum was a fantastic opportunity to understand how sustainability can benefit my company. The format was engaging—we gained knowledge, shared experiences, and enjoyed ourselves.”— Tony Hinkov, Business Expert, Mechatronica
