Strategy for development of the bioeconomy in Stara Zagora region


Title: Strategy for development of the bioeconomy in Stara Zagora region

Funding source: The regional strategy for development of the bioeconomy in Stara Zagora region (Bulgaria) was developed under the project BE-Rural - Strategies and plans for the transition to bioeconomy in order to enhance rural and regional development in the EU, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

Country: Bulgaria

Description:

The strategy for development of the bioeconomy in Stara Zagora region was developed in accordance with the standards for strategic planning at European, national and regional level. It is aligned and coordinated with the priorities of other strategic documents at different levels of planning. Due to the lack of national bioeconomy strategy, there is no hierarchical relationship between this document and another similar one summarizing the priorities and potential of the other planning regions in Bulgaria at the NUTS level 3 or higher. For this purpose, an overview was made of the existing strategic documents in the field of the bioeconomy, both of the European level and of some regions level in the countries member states of the European Union, which have developed and already entered into force strategies for the development of the sector.

When developing the "Strategy for development of the bioeconomy in Stara Zagora region", the main trends for the development of the bioeconomy at European level were followed, which are laid down in the political and strategic priorities of the European institutions. Achieving concrete results in these key areas would allow Stara Zagora region to increase its competitiveness in the bioeconomy sector and the implemented initiatives to attract counter-funds through various financial instruments.

The strategic goals of the Strategy for development of the bioeconomy in Stara Zagora region are:

  • Development of the local bioeconomy based on the key factors and advantages for the region;
  • Creating conditions for the development and strengthening of biologically based sectors, promoting the implementation of new technologies;
  • Increasing the economic competitiveness of the region and building an ecologically conscious society.

The specific actions that the strategy envisages to help small and medium-sized enterprises reach the desired result at the end of the period include a number of forms of assistance, the most interesting of which are:

  • Increasing the use of different types of renewable energy by SMEs (solar, wind, water, biomass systems and cogeneration systems, etc.);
  • Improving resource/material efficiency and overall transition to achieving a circular model;
  • Supporting SMEs in the bioeconomy sector (including the blue bioeconomy) in access to markets and development of biobased products.;
  • Supporting SMEs in the transition to ecological and circular design;
  • Grant funding and financial instruments to meet the various needs of entrepreneurs and start-ups in rural areas, etc.

Priority areas for a sustainable bioeconomy in Stara Zagora region are:

  • Production of food and organic products;
  • Forestry;
  • Effective management of resources;
  • Coherence between the bioeconomy and rural development;
  • Digitization.

Link: https://www.bia-bg.com/uploads/files/Projects/BE-RURAL/Strategy%20on%20Bioeconomy%20Bulgaria%20BG%2011.2021.pdf (in Bulgarian language)