Purpose of the procedure

The main objective is to provide support to SMEs to introduce new models based on new or improved processes, goods or services, thereby increasing their innovation activity and competitiveness.

The new model should be clearly justified and correspond to the thematic areas and priority sub-areas of the The Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (ISS) 2021–2027, with the candidate selecting one lead area in the Application Form.

ISIS Thematic Areas 2021–2027

Project proposals should fall into one of the following thematic areas:

• Informatics and ICT
• Mechatronics and microelectronics
• Healthy living industries, bioeconomy and biotechnology
• New technologies in the creative and leisure industries
• Clean technologies, circular and low-carbon economy

Candidates should argue the correspondence of the new production model with the chosen thematic area.

Amount and intensity of funding

• Minimum grant amount: 25,000 euros
• Maximum size:
  • to 250,000 euros for micro and small enterprises;
  • to 400,000 euros for medium-sized enterprises.

The funding intensity can reach 70% of the eligible costs depending on the selected aid regime, the category of enterprise and the place of implementation of the project.

Under the de minimis regime, the total minimum aid received cannot exceed EUR 300,000 over a period of three years.

Eligible activities

Investments necessary for the implementation of the new model are being financed, including:

• machinery, facilities and equipment;
• specialized software;
• patents, utility models, industrial designs and licenses.

Activities that contradict the principle of "doing no significant harm" are not supported, including those related to fossil fuels and waste incineration.

Deadline for implementation and application

The duration of projects cannot exceed 12 months from the date of entry into force of the administrative agreement.

The deadline for submitting project proposals is May 27, 2026, 4:30 p.m..

The application is made entirely electronically via the UMIS system, and each applicant can submit only one project proposal.

More information and instructions for applying for the procedure can be found at page of ISUN.

The Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry encourages enterprises to promptly familiarize themselves with the conditions of the procedure and to take advantage of the resources provided for investments in modernization, automation and implementation of innovative production solutions.

Overcoming digital barriers

Despite technological advances, young people with hearing impairments still face significant obstacles in the digital environment such as:

• Lack of accessible content, such as subtitles or sign language translation in online training modules.
• Platforms that are not optimized for visual communication, which limits interaction between interns, mentors, and companies.

The QSA4Disability project emphasizes that inclusion does not happen automatically with digitalization – it requires conscious planning and design, content adaptation, and most of all – willingness and readiness.

Quality standards and practical tools

To move from partial measures to structured inclusion and adaptation, the project developed an innovative „Quality Standard for Distance Apprenticeship“. The main elements of this training standard are:

• Operational protocols: Clear guidelines for communication and interaction between interns, mentors and employers.
• Training and awareness tools: Resources for those involved in vocational education (VET) and employers.
• Digital monitoring: Progress tracking systems that support students throughout their learning journey.

In line with European priorities

The goals of QSA4Disability are directly tied to strategic documents such as European Disability Rights Strategy 2021-2030 and Digital Education Action Plan. By improving skills and employment, the project contributes to building a more accessible and equal labor market.

Digitalization alone does not guarantee inclusion, but inclusive digitalization can transform human destinies. Distance apprenticeships are a powerful tool through which deaf and hard of hearing people in Europe can gain access to qualifications and meaningful employment. In the future we are building, apprentices with hearing impairments should not simply „fit into“ existing systems, but be recognised as active and full participants in an accessible labour market.

More information about the project and access to the developed materials can be found on the official website: http://qsa4disability.eu.

In this issue of the newsletter you will find information about the key achievements of the partnership in recent months and the important results we have achieved together.

Project QSA4Disability aims to promote a more inclusive apprenticeship programme for deaf and hard of hearing students in Europe by developing an innovative Quality Standard for Distance Apprenticeships. By creating these tools and e-solutions, the aim is to improve the employability of young people with hearing impairments and dispel myths about their professional contribution.

Partners in the project are 8 organizations from Hungary, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece and Slovenia.

Follow us for more news:

• Website: https://qsa4disability.eu/
• Facebook: @QSA4DISABILITY

Candidates:
The procedure is open to micro, small, medium and large enterprises, as well as for associations between them. Beneficiaries must be registered. no later than 31.12.2022. and have been in business for the last three financial years.

Application deadline:
Project proposals are submitted via the electronic system June 2020 to 16.07.2026, 16:00.. The implementation of project activities must be completed. up to 30 months, but not later than 31.12.2029.

Eligible activities under the procedure

The procedure supports complex activities that include:

Construction of charging infrastructure

• Installing electric vehicle charging stations with power over 22 kW.
• Charging stations should be located along sections of the republican road network outside the settlements that are part of the main and extensive Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), and can be up to 3 km from the exit of the republican road (e.g. parking lots).

Technical equipment and related activities

• Delivery and installation of technical equipment for charging stations.
• Related construction and installation works and adaptation of terrain or road.
• Installation work and costs for obtaining the necessary permits.

Integration with renewable energy sources (RE)

• Investments for electricity production from renewable sources and systems for its on-site storage.

Public access and operation

• The built infrastructure must be publicly available with non-discriminatory access and charging fees must match market prices.

Funding and intensity

• Maximum grant amount per project: 256,000 euros.
• Funding intensity:
  • To 65 % for micro and small enterprises;
  • To 55 % for medium-sized enterprises;
  • To 35 % for large enterprises.

Technical requirements for charging stations

The projects must provide modern charging infrastructure with minimum technical parameters depending on the type of network:

• For passenger cars on the core TEN-T network: minimum 600 kW and at least 2 points with power 150 kW.
• For passenger cars on the comprehensive TEN-T network: minimum 300 kW and at least 1 point with power 150 kW.
• For freight vehicles on the TEN-T core network: minimum 2800 kW and minimum 2 points by 350 kW.
• For freight vehicles on the comprehensive TEN-T: minimum 1400 kW and minimum 1 point by 350 kW.

The procedure is part of the efforts of the Transport Connectivity Programme 2021–2027 to develop alternative fuels and sustainable transport in Bulgaria. The construction of charging stations along the TEN-T network will stimulate electromobility, improve mobility outside large cities and support environmentally friendly transport. Under the first procedure, the following were approved: six charging center projects at the end of 2025.

More information and application instructions can be found at page of ISUN.

The procedure is aimed at micro, small, medium and large enterprises, developing economic activity in the following sectors:

• sector C “Manufacturing industry”;
• sector K “Telecommunications, computer programming, consultancy activities, information technology infrastructure and other information services”:
  • section 62 “Information technology activities”; or
  • section 63 “Information technology infrastructure, data processing, hosting and other information services”;
• sector N “Professional activities and scientific research”.

Key features of the procedure:

• Supports investments for production of defense products and dual-use items – for example, high-performance computers, microprocessors, radar systems, lidars, cryptographic software, drones and other technological components that have both civilian and military applications.
• The grant varies from 51,129 euros to 3.6 million euros. The aid intensity is up to 70% of eligible costs, depending on the category of the enterprise, the aid regime chosen and the place of implementation of the projects.
• Eligible investments include: purchase of machinery, equipment, specialized software, patents, licenses and know-how, as well as construction and installation works up to 50% of the total project costs.

Who can participate:

They can apply according to the procedure micro, small, medium and large enterprises, registered before 31.12.2022., which develop economic activity in the eligible sectors. The companies should have realized net sales revenue in 2022, 2023 and 2024., as follows:

• large enterprises – net sales revenue at least 5 million BGN..

• micro and small enterprises – net sales revenue at least 200,000 BGN.;

• medium-sized enterprises – net sales revenue at least 1 million BGN.;

Application deadline:

April 15, 2026. through the electronic system June 2020.

This procedure provides an opportunity for Bulgarian companies to modernize production facilities, to implement new technologies and increase their competitiveness both on the national and European markets. Support is particularly important for companies operating in strategic sectors and aiming to expand their participation in defense and dual-use value chains.

This newsletter provides an inside look at the training materials currently being developed and shows how they are directly related to two key emerging professions:

• Prompt engineer
• Generative AI application developer

Both profiles are formally identified and described in the project's job mapping work package, with detailed competencies and responsibilities included in the supporting materials.

Training materials for future professionals in the field of artificial intelligence

The GenAISA HE course is built around five training modules, each designed to support real-world job requirements identified by the consortium. Below is an overview of the modules and how they align with the two emerging professions in the field of artificial intelligence.

1. Introduction to Generative AI

This topic introduces students to the fundamentals of generative AI, tracing its evolution from early GANs and VAEs to today's transformer- and diffusion-based systems. It also covers the ethical, social, and transparency challenges associated with modern AI (bias, trustworthiness, data provenance, explainability).

Link to professional profiles:

• The engineers need a solid foundation in model behavior, constraints, and linguistic models to design effective prompts.
• Developers of generative AI applications They need to understand the types of models to choose the right architecture for each task.

2. NLP, image and video generation in generative AI

This topic focuses on the multimodal capabilities of modern GenAI systems – how they process language, how they generate images or video, and how humans interact with these systems. Students explore practical use cases such as text-to-image tools, conversational assistants, and multimodal reasoning.

Link to professional profiles:

• Prompt engineers learn how language and visual cues influence model results, supporting optimization and prompt testing skills.
• Developers of generative AI applications gain knowledge about multimodal APIs and learn how to integrate them into applications.

3. Generative AI models

A more technical module covering GANs, VAEs, diffusion models, latent diffusion and hybrid architectures. It draws on state-of-the-art research and landmark publications in the field of deep generative modeling, providing students with a structured understanding of how generative systems are implemented and improved.

Link to professional profiles:

• Prompt engineers benefit from understanding model limitations, bias mechanisms, and failure modes.
• Developers of generative AI applications acquire basic knowledge of model operation, fine-tuning, and optimization workflows.

4. Fundamentals of Deep Learning for Generative AI

This topic introduces students to the fundamentals of deep learning, from neural architecture components to embedding and optimization techniques. It prepares students to understand or implement artificial intelligence systems using modern frameworks.

Link to professional profiles:

• Prompt engineers develop the analytical skills needed to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of model results.
• Developers of generative AI applications acquire the technical fundamentals needed to work with APIs, fine-tune, and integrate models into applications.

5. Managing the transformation of generative AI

Implementing generative AI requires organizational readiness, management skills, governance, and ethical decision-making. This module provides practical methods, process models, and frameworks for responsible AI design and implementation. It also covers AI transformation in business and industry, as well as change leadership. The content is based on recent research and case studies from various sectors.

Link to professional profiles:

• Prompt engineers must understand the fundamentals of AI design processes, compliance, safety, and governance to design responsible prompts.
• Developers of generative AI applications must be familiar with AI design and development processes, as well as security and change management practices when integrating models into products.

Connecting training with real job opportunities

The higher education and vocational training course is specifically designed to match two fast-growing professions identified in the project's occupational profiles report:

Prompt engineer

Mid-level AI specialist who designs, tests, and optimizes prompts for LLM and other generative systems.
 Basic skills: NLP, prompt optimization, testing methodologies, critical thinking, bias awareness and safety.
 Typical career paths: product teams in the fields of artificial intelligence, EdTech, customer experience automation, prompt design in the legal and medical fields.

Generative Artificial Intelligence Application Developer

A technical position focused on integrating generative artificial intelligence models into real-world applications, ensuring security, performance, and usability.
Required skills: API integration, model orchestration, backend/frontend development, AI-ready DevOps, compliance-oriented programming.
Typical career paths: artificial intelligence software development, SaaS, corporate R&D, digital health, creative industries.

A look to the future

The higher education teaching materials are being refined, integrating real-world examples and case-based tasks developed by the project partners. Once completed, they will be made available as open educational resources through the online learning platform GenAISA, thus ensuring accessibility in academic and training ecosystems across Europe.

In the next phase, the consortium will pilot test these materials in selected higher education institutions, collecting feedback from faculty and learners to ensure quality, inclusiveness, and real-world applicability.

Stay with us

Follow GenAISA's journey as we continue to support the European education sector with AI-ready skills and innovative learning solutions.

Visit our website: www.genaisa.eu
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/genaisa-project/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genaisa.project/

The Digital Club is part of the national network of digital clubs, whose main goal is increasing digital skills and facilitating access to electronic services. The space is created as an open and accessible environment where citizens can obtain knowledge, practical guidance and support for working with digital tools and platforms.

The club is located at Ruse, Tsar Ferdinand Blvd. No. 3A, floor 2, room 1 and is open to visitors with working hours from 9:00 to 17:00, every weekday. The use of the club's services is completely free for all citizens, regardless of age, employment, or previous experience with digital technologies.

The main goal of the club is to assist citizens in navigating and using electronic administrative services, as well as to promote lifelong learning in the context of digital transformation. Within the framework of its activities, the club offers support and training in working with electronic information systems. Visitors to the club can receive assistance in working with key electronic platforms and services such as the e-gov.bg portal, the systems for electronic authentication, secure electronic delivery, as well as when using electronic banking. The Digital Club also provides information on opportunities for inclusion in training with vouchers, funded under national and European programs, aimed at increasing the digital and professional competencies of employed, unemployed and inactive individuals.

With the opening of Digital Club Ruse A sustainable foundation is being created for the development of digital skills in the region and for easier, faster and equal access for citizens to electronic services and training.

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The sole responsibility for the content of the document lies with the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry and under no circumstances can it be assumed that this document reflects the official position of the European Union and the EFMP DG at the MLSP. This investment is entitled „Building a Digital Club in Ruse“ and number BG-RRP-1.024-0418-C01, with a total project budget of BGN 52,000.

The digital club will be located at Tsar Ferdinand Blvd. 3A, 2nd floor, easily accessible from different parts of the city, and will be with completely free access for all citizens. The club will operate every weekday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to provide maximum opportunity for students, youth, adults, workers, the unemployed, and business representatives to benefit from the resources and training that the initiative offers.

The club is currently in the process of being equipped with modern equipment, training materials, and spaces for work, learning, and collaboration. As soon as it is fully completed and functional, RTIK will announce the official opening date.

What are digital clubs at the national level?

Digital clubs are a key element of a large-scale national policy aimed at increasing digital literacy, inclusion in modern technologies and preparing the population for the economy of the future. They are being built under the Recovery and Resilience Plan through the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and represent a new type of public spaces in which citizens receive free access to modern equipment, specialized software and digital skills training.

The main goal of the network is to reduce disparities between regions, to give people of all age groups a chance to develop the necessary competencies for working in a digital environment and to facilitate the transition to new professions, electronic services and modern communication models. A total of 760 clubs are planned to be established nationwide, making the initiative the largest program in Bulgaria to date aimed at digital education for the general public.

This represents an important step forward for the region and further proof that RTIK continues to be among the leading organizations that create real conditions for the promotion and development of key and professional competencies that benefit both individuals and businesses. We are convinced that the digital club in Ruse will become a key center for learning, development and inspiration for thousands of citizens in the region.

Expect more information about the official opening soon!

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The sole responsibility for the content of the document lies with the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry and under no circumstances can it be assumed that this document reflects the official position of the European Union and the EFMP DG at the MLSP. This investment is entitled „Building a Digital Club in Ruse“ and number BG-RRP-1.024-0418-C01, with a total project budget of BGN 52,000.

Main purpose of the procedure

The support aims to foster collaboration between business and science by developing high added value solutions in the thematic areas of the Smart Specialisation Innovation Strategy. Projects should lead to an increase in technological readiness (up to TRL 5/6), including through prototyping, testing, validation and market preparation of new products or services.

Who can apply?

Eligible businesses are those that:

• are micro, small or medium;
• were registered before 31.12.2022;
• have realized minimum net revenues for 2023 and 2024:
  • micro-enterprises – at least 40,000 BGN;
  • small enterprises – at least BGN 100,000;
  • medium-sized enterprises – at least 700,000 BGN.

Application is mandatory in partnership with at least one scientific organization or university, including research structures, accredited universities, centers of excellence, etc.

Eligible activities

• Development and validation of green or digital technologies, products and processes;
• Creation and testing of prototypes, models and pilot solutions;
• Experimental development and industrial research activities;
• Market analyses, business planning and impact assessment;
• Intellectual property protection.

Projects must fall within one of the thematic areas of ISIS:

• Informatics and ICT;
• Mechatronics and microelectronics;
• Healthy living industry, bioeconomy and biotechnology;
• New technologies in the creative and entertainment industries;
• Clean technologies, circular and low-carbon economy.

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include staff remuneration, equipment and materials costs, external services related to research and technical activities, intangible assets costs (software, licenses, patents), travel expenses, as well as general and administrative costs eligible under the programme rules.

Budget and financing

The total budget of the procedure is 60.7 million BGN., distributed between the less developed regions and the transition region. Grants are provided between 100,000 BGN and 1.5 million BGN. on a project.

The funding intensity is:

• to 80% for industrial research and up to 70% for experimental development – for micro and small enterprises;
• to 75% for industrial research and up to 50% for experimental development – for medium-sized enterprises.

No co-financing is required for scientific partners.

Deadlines

The deadline for submitting project proposals is February 16, 2026, 4:30 p.m. through UMIS 2020. The maximum implementation period is up to 24 months, but no later than December 31, 2029.

Detailed information, instructions and all application documents are available on the following page:

Importance for the region

For enterprises from Ruse and the North-Eastern region, this procedure represents an excellent opportunity to create innovative products and technologies through active cooperation with scientific institutions. Such projects can contribute to the modernization of local businesses, increasing competitiveness and sustainable development of the region.

The event was part of the „Meet the Experts“ series, which brings together experts from different sectors to share good practices and professional experience in the field of financial literacy. The main objective of these webinars, as set out in the project proposal, is to support capacity building among trainers and mentors by providing them with access to modern approaches, topical topics and practical guidelines for teaching financial literacy and responsible financial behavior.

The webinar speaker was Dimitar Toshev, Senior Product Manager "Financial Crime" at Paysafe, one of the leading international companies in the field of digital payments and financial technologies.

The topic of the lecture – „From Literacy to Security: How to Stay Safe from Financial Crimes Online“ – was distinguished by its practical focus and relevance. During the presentation, key issues related to the relationship between financial literacy and financial security, as well as ways to protect against online fraud and abuse, were discussed:

• Digital wallets and online transactions
• Financial literacy and financial crimes: the link between them
• Main types of financial and online fraud
• Sustainable strategies for financial crime prevention
• Protecting businesses from financial abuse
• Toolkit for educators – how to train youth and adults in recognizing financial fraud

The webinar is part of Work Package 3 (Comprehensive Methodology) of the project, which includes a series of expert meetings and trainings aimed at improving the competencies of trainers. The events in this series provide a bridge between academic concepts and real practice, encouraging participants to integrate innovative, scenario-based approaches into their training.

The FINMAN+ project aims to increase the financial literacy of young people (25–30 years old) and provide trainers with innovative methodologies that combine practical knowledge, digital skills and sustainable thinking.