Third Regional Stakeholder Meeting for the Sofia Region

On June 6, 2024,  the third stakeholder meeting for the Sofia region was held by the Sofia Municipality and the Cluster of Mechatronics and Automation. It gathered 12 participants from various sectors, including the RES Cluster, the Bulgarian Industrial Association, the University of National and World Economy, ManEco Ecological Manifesto Association and Volunteers for Plastic Recycling, as well as directorates of Sofia Municipality and Sofia Development Association.

CMA presented three good practices observed during SKYLA study visits. These included the DIDACTA Fair in Florence, an influential event showcasing educational innovations; the regional academies for highly qualified technicians in various sectors in Italy known as ITS Academies; and the Baldoyle Training Centre in Dublin, dedicated to training, retraining, and up-skilling for numerous professions.

Sofia Municipality showcased its Visioners Academy, an initiative launched in 2021 to support innovative youth projects to benefit the city and its citizens. The presentation covered the Academy's history, how it attracts talented young people and experienced mentors, and the successful projects implemented so far. Challenges such as maintaining participant engagement, diversifying incentives, and attracting new local ecosystem partners were also discussed. Suggestions featured increased financial support and incentives from the Sofia Municipality, the organisation of wide-ranging demonstration and training events with NGOs, and linking the Visioners Academy with career development programmes, fairs and events focusing on skills and career guidance. Examples from outside Europe were also discussed to highlight the importance of futures thinking and futures literacy in developing forward-thinking skills.