Representatives of the Southeast Digital Innovation Hub (DIGIHUB) took part in the conference “How Bulgaria’s OECD Membership Works for the Success of Young People: Innovation in Education and Youth Entrepreneurship,” organized by the Diplomatic Institute of the Minister of Foreign Affairs jointly with the Burgas Free University. The forum brought together representatives of state institutions, academia, local government, schools, and business to discuss the opportunities for education and youth employment in the context of Bulgaria’s future OECD membership.
Participation and Panel Highlights
As Chairman of the Board of Directors of DIGIHUB and ICT Cluster Burgas, Petko Georgiev joined the panel discussion “Innovation and Digital Transformation in Education.” In his remarks, he emphasized that in Burgas “we are making progress thanks to a strong ecosystem built over more than a decade — a sustainable partnership between business, universities, and local government.”
“Ten years ago, we established ICT Cluster Burgas, which today unites over 30 technology companies from Burgas and Southeastern Bulgaria and is part of the European cluster family. Five years ago, we formed DIGIHUB, which since last year has been part of the European network of digital innovation hubs. We support companies with a high-tech environment for ‘test before invest,’ find suitable experts and suppliers in Bulgaria and Europe, and facilitate access to funding. Three years ago, we also launched Burgas Digital — the largest technology event in the region. This continuous work makes rapid pilots in the educational environment possible, as well as real pathways to employment and entrepreneurship for young people.”
On behalf of DIGIHUB, Stoyan Nikolov, head of the hub’s laboratory complex, also participated in the panel “Skills and Youth Entrepreneurship,” with a focus on practical skills, project-based learning, and the connection between the hub’s laboratories, universities, and local business.
Acknowledgments to the Organizers
DIGIHUB and ICT Cluster Burgas express their gratitude to the Diplomatic Institute and the Burgas Free University for the invitation and the high level of organization. Events like this establish Burgas as a leading center for innovation in education and youth entrepreneurship and demonstrate a working model of cooperation between government, academia, and industry.
What Is the OECD and Why Does It Matter
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international forum headquartered in Paris that helps governments develop and compare policies for higher living standards, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. It is among the most reliable sources of comparable economic and social data and analysis in the world.
What Comes Next
The expectations of institutions and the expert community are that Bulgaria’s OECD accession process could be finalized around 2026 — a prospect associated with a better investment climate and new opportunities for young people. Through our work within the Burgas ecosystem — from laboratories and training to the business–university–municipality interface — our ambition is to contribute practically to this process and its benefits.
