VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" presented the first in Bulgarian master's degree programme in Circular Economy at a seminar of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
19 Април 2019
Representatives of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" participated in a seminar on Circular Economy and Green Entrepreneurship Business Models organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event is part of the MOVECO project, which aims to promote the transition from linear to circular economy among small and medium-sized enterprises in the countries of the Danube region.
During the forum, a bilateral meeting was held between Tsvetan Simeonov - President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representatives of the Smolyan branch of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar". The delegation of the higher education institution involved Hayri Sadakov - the Smolyan MP, the Mayor of Velingrad - Kostadin Koev, Assoc. Prof. Ivan Sokolov - Chief Executive of the International Fair Plovdiv and a lecturer at the Smolyan branch of VFU, as well as businessmen who study in the first for Bulgaria master's degree programme in Circular Economy. The benefits of the transition to a circular economy and the necessary measures and activities for the successful implementation of this model at local and national level were discussed at the meeting. Other possibilities for future cooperation between the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" and the local authorities in the municipalities of Smolyan and Velingrad were also discussed.
Anelia Parzhanova, PhD - Director of the Smolyan branch of Varna Free University presented the master’s degree programme in Circular Economy of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar", which is implemented with the support of the Environment Directorate General of the European Commission, the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment and Water. The programme integrates in a complex, specialized and innovative training the current environmental and waste management issues in accordance with international, European and national criteria and requirements.
During the forum, the participants were introduced to the benefits of the circular economy and the benefits of introducing this model to businesses, including a significant reduction in production costs, enhancing competitiveness and environmental protection.
Examples of good practices in the field of circular economy in Bulgaria were presented - production of fashion accessories from recycled materials, use of coffee sludge as a resource for new different industries in the agro-food industry and agriculture, new services for hiring eco-friendly electric cars with 30% lower charges. The participants in the seminar got acquainted with the main goals and activities of the MOVECO project, as well as the progress and results of its implementation, among which are the pilot training for small and middle-sized enterprises carried out by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Attention was also paid to the transnational strategy and road maps developed for each of the three eco-innovators - leading countries (Austria, Germany, Slovenia), moderate (Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia) and modest (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia). The documents contain measures and recommendations for overcoming the main challenges and obstacles to the transition to a circular economy in the countries of the Danube region.
The MOVECO project is implemented within the framework of the Danube Transnational Cooperation Programme. It involves sixteen partner organizations from ten countries - Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Moldova.
During the forum, a bilateral meeting was held between Tsvetan Simeonov - President of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representatives of the Smolyan branch of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar". The delegation of the higher education institution involved Hayri Sadakov - the Smolyan MP, the Mayor of Velingrad - Kostadin Koev, Assoc. Prof. Ivan Sokolov - Chief Executive of the International Fair Plovdiv and a lecturer at the Smolyan branch of VFU, as well as businessmen who study in the first for Bulgaria master's degree programme in Circular Economy. The benefits of the transition to a circular economy and the necessary measures and activities for the successful implementation of this model at local and national level were discussed at the meeting. Other possibilities for future cooperation between the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" and the local authorities in the municipalities of Smolyan and Velingrad were also discussed.
Anelia Parzhanova, PhD - Director of the Smolyan branch of Varna Free University presented the master’s degree programme in Circular Economy of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar", which is implemented with the support of the Environment Directorate General of the European Commission, the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment and Water. The programme integrates in a complex, specialized and innovative training the current environmental and waste management issues in accordance with international, European and national criteria and requirements.
During the forum, the participants were introduced to the benefits of the circular economy and the benefits of introducing this model to businesses, including a significant reduction in production costs, enhancing competitiveness and environmental protection.
Examples of good practices in the field of circular economy in Bulgaria were presented - production of fashion accessories from recycled materials, use of coffee sludge as a resource for new different industries in the agro-food industry and agriculture, new services for hiring eco-friendly electric cars with 30% lower charges. The participants in the seminar got acquainted with the main goals and activities of the MOVECO project, as well as the progress and results of its implementation, among which are the pilot training for small and middle-sized enterprises carried out by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Attention was also paid to the transnational strategy and road maps developed for each of the three eco-innovators - leading countries (Austria, Germany, Slovenia), moderate (Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia) and modest (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia). The documents contain measures and recommendations for overcoming the main challenges and obstacles to the transition to a circular economy in the countries of the Danube region.
The MOVECO project is implemented within the framework of the Danube Transnational Cooperation Programme. It involves sixteen partner organizations from ten countries - Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Moldova.